Activities Launched at Winterlude's Snowflake Kingdom

Visitors can take part in winter sports and games

GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 31, 2014 /CNW/ - This morning, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover and Gatineau mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin officially launched Winterlude's Snowflake Kingdom. They were accompanied by special guests and Winterlude's mascots, the Ice Hog family.

With its gigantic snow slides that can accommodate more than 2,000 sliders an hour, the Snowflake Kingdom entices visitors to enjoy the great outdoors and explore our Canadian traditions with activities inspired by winter sports and games.

Located at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, the Snowflake Kingdom—North America's largest snow playground—is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Quick Facts

• In collaboration with the Government of Yukon, the Snowflake Kingdom is pleased to welcome talented artists and snow sculptors from Yukon during the first weekend of Winterlude (February 1 and 2).
• The Canadians Forces are returning to Winterlude with the Winter Obstacle Course, where children will be able to test their physical fitness and endurance.
• Parks Canada invites visitors to discover the adventures of the Aboriginal trappers, French-Canadian coureurs des bois, and European merchants of the fur-trade era.
• The Ville de Gatineau is calling on thrill-seekers to try the XTREME Zone, which has challenges for every taste—including a zip line, pedal go-carts on snow, a bungee trampoline, and a giant maze to explore.

Quotes

"Children and the young at heart are invited to enjoy a uniquely Canadian winter experience at Winterlude's Snowflake Kingdom, which is the result of the expertise, talent, and creativity of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ville de Gatineau."

-Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"The Ville de Gatineau is pleased to be co-producing the Snowflake Kingdom for a third year and to make this site not only the biggest snow playground on the continent, but also one of the most lively and entertaining ones. This highly popular event is first and foremost a fun family get-together, and I am delighted with this new edition."

-Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Mayor, Ville de Gatineau

Associated Links

Winterlude Calendar of Events
Minister Glover Unveils Program for the 36^th Winterlude
Winterlude's official mascots, the Ice Hog Family
Winterlude Media Kit

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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For more information about Winterlude, call 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll free TTY), or visit www.winterlude.gc.ca.

Contacts

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]

Pascale Gagnon
Media Relations
Ville de Gatineau
613-276-0282 (Cell)
[email protected]