| Montreal in winter is a magical city blanketed under | | | | out of Jacques-Cartier Pier. Sleigh rides are also |
| feet of snow, but it doesn't have to bring record | | | | available. |
| lows to your bank account! Grab your toque and | | | | Indoor Bargains |
| bundle up for some snowy adventures, or stay | | | | No need to suffer from cabin fever! When the |
| warm and experience Montreal culture in the | | | | weather outside is frightful, there is plenty to keep |
| comfortable indoors. Whatever your preference, this | | | | you occupied indoors in Montreal. Many local museums |
| beautiful French Canadian city has much to offer a | | | | and attractions offer free or discounted rates on |
| budget-conscious family. | | | | certain days of the week. If you plan your family's |
| Winter Festivals | | | | itinerary carefully, you could be in for substantial |
| While Montreal is famous for its summertime | | | | savings.o The Redpath Museum, located on the |
| festivals, there is still plenty of family fun once the | | | | University of McGill Campus is the oldest building in |
| snow flies -- all for free or nearly free.o The holidays | | | | Canada built as a museum. The museum currently |
| start with a bang with the Fire on Ice Festival, a | | | | displays extensive collections in the fields of |
| musical fireworks display lighting up Montreal's old | | | | palaeontology, zoology, mineralogy and ethnology. |
| port. The festival runs the first four Saturday nights | | | | Redpath offers fun family-friendly programs on |
| in December and is sure to warm up your evening.o | | | | Sundays for a nominal charge. If you just want to |
| The annual Fete des Neiges de Montreal is a snowy | | | | visit the collections, admission is free.o The Montreal |
| festival that will delight every member of your family. | | | | Museum of Fine Arts is an amazing museum with an |
| Parc Jean-Drapeau is transformed into a snow-and-ice | | | | impressive collection. If you want to visit one of the |
| wonderland as the setting for Montreal's winter | | | | temporary exhibits, the admission fee is half price on |
| carnival. Try your hand at two traditional Canadian | | | | Wednesdays after 5:00 pm. To visit the regular |
| sports: curling or hockey on natural, outdoor ice | | | | collection, however, admission is always free |
| sheets. Incredible ice sculptures, the sweet sugar | | | | (although a donation is appreciated).o At the Musee |
| shack, terrifying tube rides and a scenic skating track | | | | d'art contemporain de Montreal, admission is free |
| are just some of the other winter experiences your | | | | every Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. The |
| family will enjoy. The fête runs every year at | | | | Musée collection, which includes over 7,000 |
| the beginning of February.o The Montreal Highlights | | | | works produced by more than 1,500 artists, |
| Festival is another great excuse to get outside and | | | | represents disciplines such as painting, drawing, |
| embrace the winter cold. Taking place in the old port, | | | | printmaking, sculpture, photography and video.o The |
| there are many family-friendly activities to appreciate: | | | | National Film Board of Canada's CineRobotheque is a |
| check out the ice slide, skating rink, amazing | | | | cool museum where you can watch over 9000 |
| fireworks displays, cool concerts, torchlight procession | | | | Canadian films in self-serve personal viewing stations. |
| and groovy DJ's. The festival runs from mid February | | | | For even more fun, bring your family to a Sunday |
| to early March. | | | | animation workshop to explore some unusual |
| Outdoor Pursuits | | | | animation techniques and create and view your own |
| Pack some hot chocolate to-go and head out into | | | | film. Workshop prices are under $10 for both adults |
| the great outdoors. If your family is adventurous and | | | | and children.o Pointe-a-Calliere located near Montreal's |
| enjoys physical activity, there is plenty to do (for | | | | old port, is a museum of archaeology and history. |
| free) in this snow-covered city.o While there are | | | | Begin your tour with an informative bilingual |
| many large parks in Montreal, Parc Mont-Royal is | | | | multimedia presentation, and then make your way |
| perhaps the most accessible. Ascend the mountain to | | | | down into the archaeological ruins of the old city. |
| Beaver Lake, the epicentre of the action. From there, | | | | Explore an ancient graveyard, city fortifications, |
| select a path for hiking, snowshoeing, or | | | | drainage pipes and the old Customs House. Every |
| cross-country skiing through the winter woodlands. | | | | Sunday, the museum offers free admission to |
| Maps are located throughout the park and the trails | | | | grandparents visiting with their grandchildren.o In an |
| are all well-marked. If you make for the summit, you | | | | effort to appeal to both the young and young at |
| will be rewarded with a fabulous view of the city. If | | | | heart, Place des Arts, has added youth programming |
| it's thrill and excitement you seek, take the kids to | | | | to its entertainment schedule. Children's musicals, |
| the Beaver Lake Pavilion to rent a tube for racing | | | | symphonies, dance performances and plays are |
| down the slopes. The pavilion also rents skates for | | | | available throughout the year-- and many of them |
| use on the outdoor pond, skis, Nordic kick sleds, | | | | are extremely affordable (some are even free).o |
| snowshoes and helmets- all for reasonable prices. | | | | Have you always wanted to see Cirque du Soleil but |
| Many of Montreal's other nature parks (such as | | | | can't afford the stiff ticket prices? Tohu, a circus |
| Cap-St.-Jacques or Parc Lafontaine) rent winter | | | | school sponsored by Cirque du Soleil and the National |
| sports equipment, although it is best to call ahead to | | | | Association of Circus Arts, presents captivating public |
| see what is available as it varies from location to | | | | performances at affordable rates. See contortionists, |
| location.o While many people think that venturing to | | | | acrobats, trapeze artists, dancers, and musicians |
| the ski hills will cost a bundle, with a little bit of | | | | perform on colourful elaborate sets. Ticket prices |
| planning, it doesn't have to. Montreal is in close | | | | vary, but the average show costs under $30 (less |
| proximity to many different ski resorts, which makes | | | | for children under twelve) and if you're in town at |
| a day trip to the slopes an excellent option. To | | | | the right time you can participate in one of the free |
| reduce the cost, inquire at your hotel to see if they | | | | Tohu performances.o The play's the thing! The |
| offer discounted lift tickets; many offer ski and stay | | | | Centaur Theatre offers fantastic children's |
| packages. Watch for weekday, half-day, and evening | | | | programming at budget prices. On select Saturday |
| specials. For example, at Mont Avila and Mont St. | | | | mornings throughout the season, families can enjoy |
| Sauveur, you can ski from 3:00pm to 10:00 pm at a | | | | inexpensive and engaging performances by local |
| significantly reduced rate. Better yet, on Thursday | | | | artists and theatre companies.o Want to see |
| evenings, lift tickets and rentals are 50% off! At | | | | Montreal's amazing museums, but the free admission |
| Mont Sutton, you can get a free Carte Blanche which | | | | days don't work with your itinerary? Purchase a |
| will save you between 20 - 40 % on the cost of | | | | Montreal Museum Pass for $50 per person and you |
| your lift pass and give you a free lift after five visits. | | | | will gain admission to over 33 different museums |
| The best deal yet? Help Sutton celebrate their | | | | (including the Biodome, Insectarium and Planetarium) |
| birthday every December 17th and you can get a lift | | | | over three consecutive days. The pass also includes |
| ticket for only $5-- the cost of a lift in the 60's when | | | | free metro and bus transport during the period your |
| the resort opened.o Mush Mush! A recent addition to | | | | pass is valid (a value of $17 by itself). While it is not |
| the old port's winter programming, dog sledding | | | | free, the Museum Pass can save you lots of money |
| doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. With a guide | | | | on museums and attractions. |
| handling the sled, you don't even need a driver's | | | | With so many free (on almost free) things to do in |
| licence; just sit back and enjoy! It costs under $10 | | | | Montreal this winter, your next vacation to this |
| per person to participate (less for children under | | | | snowy city won't freeze your assets! If you plan |
| twelve) and runs from mid-December to March | | | | ahead and know where to find the discounts, your |
| (depending on the snow conditions). The dogs depart | | | | family vacation budget will go a little bit further. |