Embrace the season with these 8 winter activities in Montreal

by Véronique Alarie

Like it or not, winter is here to stay... for a few months at least! Here are eight activities in Montreal to help you give winter blues the cold shoulder.

Get back to rawhide straps and go snowshoeing in Mount Royal Park For a little extra, book a 90-minute guided hike at dusk.

Sharpen up the blades of your old skates (or rent them) and go for a little improvised dancing in pairs (or threes, or fours...) on an outdoor rink. Besides those in Montreal’s Old Port and Mount Royal Park, Maisonneuve and La Fontaine, there are more than 250 on the island!

In Mount Royal Park, Pointe-aux-Prairies, Bois-de-Liesse, Île-de-la-Visitation, Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard and Cap-Saint-Jacques, we have access to an extensive network of cross-country ski trails that vary in length from 8 km to 32 km. It’s also possible to rent skis and to sign up for a guided night ski.

The fun BARBEGAZI obstacle race on l’Îlot Clark in the Quartier des spectacles, or perhaps the sportier (as part of a 5 km or 10 km trek) Polar Hero Race in the Parc Jean-Drapeau? The Winter Moon by Bike (a spellbinding course of 3.75 km, 10 km or 15 km) or the Descente Saint-Denis, a crazy soap box race? Whether by foot or on wheels, you’re sure to find a challenge to suit you.

Since 2006, Igloofest has been a staple of the Montreal winter. Dressed up in our loudest snowsuits, we dance in the cold to sets by world-famous DJs. New for 2017: wacky Olympics for the whole family.

Alex Nevsky, Daniel Lavoie, Tryo, Matt Holubowski, Hay Babies and Charlotte Cardin Montreal will all star at this year's Montréal en Lumière . And that’s not all! In total, more than 600 artists will perform as part of this major festival, which is expected to attract 1.4 million visitors! “The big new event for this year is Illuminart, a free outdoor trail of 25 technological works,” explains Isabelle Lavigne of the event’s communications team.

Outdoor and indoor performances (music, circus, theatre, dance, etc.), tastings and conferences on culinary delights, sports activities (sledding, zip-line...); all good reasons to lay off the Netflix, if only for an evening or two.

On the program for this celebration, which is held at Parc Jean-Drapeau and attracts nearly 100,000 visitors: a whole lot of slides! Including a brand new attraction in the form of a moving pirate ship. Also featured: dog sledding tours, a zip-line, a Ferris wheel, inflatable games and free entertainment for the whole family. Basically, plenty of reasons to leave the cynicism behind.

When the wind chill is pushing -40 degrees Celsius, why not treat yourself to a trip to Pointe-à-Callière Museum to see the Hockey - More Than Just A Game exhibition. More than 250 objects, trophies, photos and videos have been brought together here to celebrate the centenary of the National Hockey League.

There’s plenty of fresh air to be enjoyed and winter to be celebrated in the heart of the city. So put off your plans to  hole yourself up in the living room, bedroom or cabin and get out there to enjoy all that Montreal has to offer this winter!