This winter's dynamic duo: the ever-popular Fête des neiges de Montréal and the sparkling new Snow Village!

MONTREAL, Jan. 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Société du parc Jean-Drapeau and the Snow Village, who are partners for the winter season, respectively announced the program for the 29^th edition of Fête des neiges de Montréal and the official opening of the Snow Village at a news conference held today in the new village located at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

"This year, Parc Jean-Drapeau is deeply proud to welcome a North American first ― the Snow Village ― a new attraction which has been set up at the Parc in an area that provides an outstanding view of downtown Montréal," remarked Christian Ouellet, the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau Executive Director. "This impressive village brings a wave of freshness to the Fête des neiges and will attract new visitors who will be able to discover the beauty of our site and enjoy an activity-filled winter season."

"The City of Montréal is pleased to see the vibrancy that continues to invigorate the Fête des neiges de Montréal and helps in maintaining the freshness of its program, even after 29 years of existence," stated Alan DeSousa, the vice-chair of the City of Montréal executive committee, mayor of Saint-Laurent borough, also responsible for Parc Jean-Drapeau. "At the core of this festive event is the desire by the Parc Jean-Drapeau team to get Montrealers actively involved so they can fully enjoy the winter season."

The Fête des neiges has become a master in the art of entertaining Montrealers and tourists in the wintertime with its array of outdoor activities that are offered in an outstanding venue. The Fête gets underway this weekend and will continue over a three-weekend span: January 21-22, January 28-29 and February 4-5.

This year, for the first time, the Fête des neiges features cross-country ski trails, an outdoor bistro that serves Québec ice cider and wine, and a giant foosball. The Fête also offers introductory downhill skiing lessons for children, open snowshoeing, and dogsled or horse-drawn sleighrides, along with such traditional activities as tube sliding, skating along the river, and the zip-line. Once the Fête des neiges is over, a dozen activities will continue every weekend until March 11.

The Snow Village, a unique experience
Combining a one-of-a-kind hotel experience, an indulgence in fine dining and an exciting entertainment and activity spot, the Snow Village also includes a restaurant, ice hotel and several igloos. The complex also has heated Nordic spas, a terrace bar, meeting rooms, a chapel and a labyrinth. Open every day until March 31, this new attraction is an integral part of Parc Jean-Drapeau's efforts to offer an enhanced winter program that now expands from three weekends to three months.

"We were really impressed with this original project and we decided to bring it here," noted Carl Fugère, the vice-president of marketing and operations for the Snow Village. "Actually, the Montréal version of the village is more developed and has more features than the Finnish one. There is a big demand for urban outdoor activities in Montréal in the wintertime, but there is no permanent winter event to satisfy this need. My associates and I are delighted Parc Jean-Drapeau agreed to accommodate the Snow Village, which will certainly be able to meet this need."

The Fête des neiges de Montréal is produced by the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau in collaboration with the following partners: Minute Maid, Intact Insurance, Speed Skating Canada, Société de transport de Montréal, Ski Saint-Bruno, Mysnow Experience, La Presse, NRJ, Rouge FM, Virgin Radio 96, Métromédia Plus, Coup de pouce and The Gazette.

For all the details, please go to parcjeandrapeau.com and snowvillagecanada.com.