QC Winter Carnival
Nov 16th, 2006, 11:53 AM
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QC Winter Carnival
We want to go to the Winter Carnival this year. How is the weather? Is it too cold to really enjoy the city? Does anyone recommend places to go outside of the city as well?
Nov 19th, 2006, 07:19 AM
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Very cold when I went in 2003(avg temp was about -15 to -20 degrees C). I had a good time, enjoyed the ice sculptures, ice slides, snow sculptures, snow castles, snow thrones, toboggans, old-fashioned snowmobiles, snow-KARTs etc... but whoa boy, being outside in the cold for longer periods in time (kind of dry at those temps) could be almost painful at times. Amazingly enough, well-bundled up (as I was) Quebeckers, kids and adults alike were out in number enjoying!
Caribou wine warms one up, some infrared-heated stages (courtesy Hydro-Quebec) and a few indoors activities help evade the chill as well.
IMO it *WAS* too cold to really enjoy the city; it's a balancing act... I was outdoors until I couldn't take it anymore, then I moved indoors, then back outdoors, then indoors. The temperatures could be somewhat warmer for you and more comfortable, on the other hand, believe it or not, it could be colder. The temps were just warm enough for me to be outside for about 10-15 minute spurts.
I'm glad I experienced the Carnaval once first hand as some sculptures were incredible, but then again I live in Montreal and stayed with a friend living in the Basse Ville... so I'm used to bundling up big-time and had free accommodation....
Good luck deciding! DAN
Caribou wine warms one up, some infrared-heated stages (courtesy Hydro-Quebec) and a few indoors activities help evade the chill as well.
IMO it *WAS* too cold to really enjoy the city; it's a balancing act... I was outdoors until I couldn't take it anymore, then I moved indoors, then back outdoors, then indoors. The temperatures could be somewhat warmer for you and more comfortable, on the other hand, believe it or not, it could be colder. The temps were just warm enough for me to be outside for about 10-15 minute spurts.
I'm glad I experienced the Carnaval once first hand as some sculptures were incredible, but then again I live in Montreal and stayed with a friend living in the Basse Ville... so I'm used to bundling up big-time and had free accommodation....
Good luck deciding! DAN
Nov 19th, 2006, 07:47 AM
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Go to Carnaval--you'll be sure to enjoy it.
As for the cold, It's partly a matter of what you are used to. For me, anything down to -20C is certainly tolerable. Below that, it starts to get too cold to stay outside very long. However others who live in a warm climate may find below 0C temperatures to be too cold.
However, if you dress warmly (including warm boots) you should be able to deal with the cold. As Dan pointed out, thousands of locals do so. There are also lots of pubs and cafés where you can stop to get warm. Don't drink too much Caribou though--you'll get a splitting headache, and it only gives the illusion of keeping you warm!
Every year for the past several years I have skied at Mont Ste Anne (just outside Québec City) during Carnaval. The weather has never been excessively cold, and I can even remember rain one time. (not great for skiing).
The bottom line is that this is a winter carnival, and it's a way of experiencing the city that is very different from a summer visit. As for places to go and things to do, here's the city's website for winter activities:
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/hiver.asp
As for the cold, It's partly a matter of what you are used to. For me, anything down to -20C is certainly tolerable. Below that, it starts to get too cold to stay outside very long. However others who live in a warm climate may find below 0C temperatures to be too cold.
However, if you dress warmly (including warm boots) you should be able to deal with the cold. As Dan pointed out, thousands of locals do so. There are also lots of pubs and cafés where you can stop to get warm. Don't drink too much Caribou though--you'll get a splitting headache, and it only gives the illusion of keeping you warm!
Every year for the past several years I have skied at Mont Ste Anne (just outside Québec City) during Carnaval. The weather has never been excessively cold, and I can even remember rain one time. (not great for skiing).
The bottom line is that this is a winter carnival, and it's a way of experiencing the city that is very different from a summer visit. As for places to go and things to do, here's the city's website for winter activities:
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/hiver.asp
Sep 3rd, 2007, 03:22 PM
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I went in '06 and had a lovely time, but it RAINED. In late January. My walking tour guide told me it had been freezing the previous carnival. The weather might be undpendable, but you can depend on the city to enchant. If it's too cold, get out of the cold. The museums and shops are wonderful. (I'm going to try the museum card the next time.) The walking tour took us in and out of a few buildings. Try the tour of the Frontenac. (I did it in the summer, and suspect they have it in the winter.) Dress warmly - inlcuding proper boots - and you should have a lovely time. I did.
