Post:Vu Quynh,image:Dang Dong
In winter, ice and snow are everywhere and the cold weather that lasts like in Quebec can drown other cities, but the people of Quebec are very eager to welcome their winter. They have created a unique culture to adapt to the seemingly harsh natural environment, because the atmosphere of the festival always makes people feel warm.
The festival is usually held in late January and early February every year and lasts for 17 days. Quebecers enjoy winter by connecting with it. During the festival, Snowmen are everywhere and show the goodwill of winter. The festival has a series of fun activities that the whole family and anyone who wants to can participate. At the entrance of the festival, behind the snow trees, is the magical snow palace. This is a structure built entirely of snow and ice and decorated by professional snow carvers that you will not find anywhere else.
The festival is held mainly on the Plains of Abraham with more than 300 outdoor activities, the most attractive of which is the international snow carving competition. Every year, more than 50 teams representing more than 30 countries will participate in the competition. But only 20 teams are selected. Sculptors representing the regions will show their creativity and talent on exquisite ice sculptures.
After visiting the ice art, visitors can try their hand at ice fishing for cod. During the 17 days of the festival, approximately 10,000 fish are caught from under the ice. You can go horse-drawn carriage riding, dog sledding, fish for cod, design ice sculptures, participate in other exciting programs and explore and enjoy what winter has to offer.
Snow bathing is one of the highlights of the festival. The 75 lucky participants are divided into groups and must participate in three different snow baths, wearing only underwear and towels. The activity symbolizes the longevity of the festival and the ability of Quebecers to withstand harsh weather conditions.
As the magical snow palace glows in the night, the festival activities continue. And as the snow falls more heavily, snow carvers quickly prepare for the exhibition the following day. In another part of the city, Snowmen join a traditional night marching band. During the festival, there are two parades, more than 20 colorful floats, several performing groups and tens of thousands of spectators.
Early morning on the Saint Lawrence River, Quebec’s main river, the temperature is around minus 30 degrees Celsius, making for ideal conditions for a regatta. As spectators gather on the shores of Quebec Harbor, more than 30 teams prepare to compete. This is an annual race since its first festival. The regatta is a group activity and is competitive. The participating teams have been preparing for this race all year. For the people of Quebec, winning this race is an honor and a source of great pride.
About a 45-minute drive east of Quebec is the Quebec Ice Hotel. 12,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice were used to create this structure. Local artworks were copied and placed under the ice to add color and life to the Ice Hotel. The hotel’s chapel is a popular place for couples to celebrate their happy weddings. The chapel is decorated with embossed angels and other decorative images that make it unique and interesting. Head to the ice bar, which is made up of vodka bottles frozen in icicles, for a glass of pure ice vodka. The Ice Hotel has 32 well-appointed rooms that can accommodate 84 guests per night. Despite being an Ice Hotel, it is warmer than you might think. Rooms are equipped with warm fleece sleeping bags for guests to enjoy a memorable time in the hotel.
Visit Parc de la Chute - Montmorency, 12km from downtown Quebec City. During the winter, the entire waterfall is frozen over, creating a majestic sight and a great place for rock climbers. Montmorency Falls is about 83m high and flows into the Saint Lawrence River.
A Quebecer, Chosis Phman, invented the first snowmobile in 1922 and today, snowmobiling is Canada’s most popular winter sport, with over 32,000 km of snow trails. During the winter, you can travel across Quebec on a small snowmobile. Snowmobiles are available for rent at the foot of Mount Saint Anne. Mount Saint Anne is about a 30-minute drive east of Quebec City. The majestic Mount Saint Anne overlooks Quebec City and the Saint Lawrence River. From advanced skiers to amateurs, Mount Saint Anne is a ski destination for all levels.
Snow is very important to most kids in Quebec City. They go sledding, skateboarding, and rollerblading. These are really great experiences for them. Visitors can also take the cable car down to visit the old town of Petit Champlain. The old town of Petit Champlain is very carefully preserved, today there are many large and small shops, restaurants and a series of handicrafts. Visitors to Quebec often have to try a special dish. That is molasses cooked and poured on snow. The molasses is cooked until it is thick, then poured on a table of snow in long strips. Visitors will use the bamboo sticks provided to wrap the candy and enjoy.
For 17 days, the festival has delighted tourists and locals alike with the arrival of Bonhomme the Snowman all over Quebec. Each year, the festival features fantastic activities and ends in a magical wonderland. Soon the season will change, the festival will end and the Snowman will depart.
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More information:
+ Quebec is a province located in eastern Canada, the largest in area and second only to Ontario in population. French is the only official language. The capital of Quebec is Quebec City.
+ The Winter Carnival is held annually, usually in late January and early February, the coldest time of year in Quebec. This year's festival will take place from January 31 to February 16, 2014.
+ Whether you prefer to stay in large hotels or simple and comfortable guesthouses, Quebec City can satisfy all your needs for accommodation that suits your budget. If you are traveling in a group, you can rent a campsite to enjoy a memorable vacation here. Prices range from 50 USD and up.
+ Travel: From Hanoi, you can book a ticket with Korean Air to Quebec. The flight departs from Hanoi to Seoul, Korea. Then, connect from Seoul to Toronto, Canada. Continue flying from Toronto to Quebec.
+ Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD). 1 CAD is about 22,094 VND.
