Three weekends from January 23 through February 7, 2010 - An invitation to
play outdoors at the 27th Fête des Neiges de Montréal

MONTREAL , Jan. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Preparations are in their final stages for this year's edition of the popular Fête des Neiges de Montréal. This major annual free-admission winter get-together is being held at Parc Jean-Drapeau on three weekends from January 23 through February 7 . Numerous activities are scheduled, including new features, to the delight of both children and adults, under the theme... La fête des Neiges de Montréal, much more than snow!

"Parc Jean-Drapeau employees are working hard to get everything ready to welcome the first visitors to this great event, starting January 23", La fête's spokesperson, comedian Yan England , stated at a press conference today. Joining him at the press event was Boule de Neige, the polar bear that has become a well-known figure to anyone familiar with the Fête des Neiges.

Among the major new attractions is the Superglisse, with two extreme sliding lanes and a starting point that is 18 metres high. It is located in the middle of the popular tube sliding area, which this year features six sliding paths for beginners and six intermediate ones that are steeper. Meanwhile, near the subway exit, visitors will come upon l'Allée carnavalesque, a type of carnival alley where several games of skill will be set up, along with an icy mini-golf course.

The 2010 edition of the event also offers a wide range of shows and presentations to entertain visitors. They will have the opportunity to enjoy a thrilling performance by the Flying Canucks, a group of elite Canadian skiers and snowboarders that will perform off a 13-metre high ramp, while barrel-jumper Sylvain Leclerc will provide a demonstration of his outstanding skills. Popular kids performers Dora and Diego, Shilvi, Toupie and Binou, Moppi the dog, and the rock foursome Les Petites Tounes will also be among the Fête's entertainers.

"La fête des Neiges de Montréal is, above all, a unique opportunity to discover the joys of winter and playing outdoors," explained Serge Rémillard, chairman of the board of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau. "Whether it's walking on the Parc's trails, tube sliding, playing boot or ice hockey, or skating alongside the St. Lawrence River , some memorable moments await you at La fête des Neiges. Parc Jean-Drapeau is a place to be discovered, and this is why I'm inviting the public to come out and enjoy the many activities and shows the Fête des Neiges has to offer."

Meanwhile, Quebec's weather forecasters are banding together and inviting the public to come to La fête des Neiges de Montréal for the "Dance for the climate" activity. This event is designed to promote the fight against climate change and contributes to the "Dance for the climate" social movement that began in Europe in 2008. All that is required to get involved in this activity is to learn the choreography, which can be found on the Parc website, and head to Parc Jean-Drapeau on January 30 .

The Fête des Neiges de Montréal is presented by the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, in collaboration with the Gouvernement du Québec, the Société de transport de Montréal, La Presse newspaper and Astral Média. All of the programming details for La Fête des Neiges are available on the website at www.parcjeandrapeau.com.

For further information: Nathalie Lessard, Senior Director, Communications, Strategic and Sustainable Development, Parc Jean-Drapeau, [phone]; François Cartier, Coordinator of Public Relations, [phone]