Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/753864
F irstly, winter brings the promise of a completely frozen Rideau Canal. And skating on the Rideau Canal has become a ritual for both visitors and residents alike. The second reason is Ottawa's Winter- lude Festival depends on three weeks of solid, midwinter frigid temperatures in order to be successful. This includes ice sculptures, tobogganing and plenty of kid- oriented activities. And thirdly, the arrival of 2017 means Ottawa can start enjoying the activities designed for Canada's 150 th anniversary. THE WINTER LINEUP From March 3 to 4, the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championships will be integrated into the locks on the Rideau Canal. Skaters will stream down ice tracks that will include hairpin turns and vertical drops. Following the ice theme, Ottawa will host the Stanley Cup's 125 th anniversary tribute from March 15–18. There may be a chance to see the Stanley Cup at Rideau Hall (March 16), a special night with NHL alumni players (March 17) and a groundbreaking ceremony on Sparks Street for Lord Stanley's Gift Mon- ument (March 18). If the March 16 event happens, the Cup will be returning home, as it was Lord Stanley, a former Governor Gen- eral and former resident of Rideau Hall, who founded the Stanley Cup tradition. On January 16, today's Governor General, His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston will open up the grounds of Rideau Hall for a Winter Celebration that will include horse-drawn sleigh rides, Finnish kick sledding, Icelandic horses, Inuit traditional arts and a winter camp. Hockey fans won't want to miss the exhi- bition game of bandy, hockey's precursor, on the Governor General's own outdoor rink. Come to think of it, if winter doesn't completely freeze the Rideau Canal in 2017, WINTER 2016/2017 DREAMSCAPES 49