“Snow rage” erupts in Quebec

by Catherine Bodry on

Martha can probably comment on this as well, but I’m pretty sure I understand hitting the limits of snowy weather. Right now the berms lining my driveway are around 10 feet (we eventually gave up shoveling because we couldn’t throw the snow that high), and everyone is ready for spring. Apparently we Alaskans aren’t the only people hit with a heavy load this winter: Reuters reports that Quebec is dealing with all-time record amounts of snow this year (210 inches!).

Dealing, but not that well.

Quebec City police have been called to a dozen snow-related disputes, including one man who flashed a gun at a woman from a snow-removal service who was putting snow on his yard. Another man produced a toy gun in an argument over a parking space (that might not be directly snow-related, but I’m willing to bet tensions are high simply from the long winter). Most arguments have to do with snow from one property ending up on someone else’s land; understandable if the loads get too big. One berm in Montreal is so high it likely won’t melt before next winter.

Environment Canada suggests that the end of winter isn’t anywhere near, and snow just fell again today in the province.

Year-Long Party to Celebrate Quebec’s 400 Years

by Catherine Bodry on

Quebec is all set to celebrate, all year long. 2008 is the year the province city turns 400 years old, and its pulling out all the stops for a grande fete. Famed event planner Danny Pelchat has Olympics-like opening ceremonies scheduled for July 3, the founding date, with many more “over-the-top” activities stretching over 10 months. The almost-a-year-long bash will culminate in October with an extravaganza coordinated by Cirque du soleil.

The head of Quebec’s tourism office, Pierre Labrie, complains that Americans take the Quebec for granted. “They know we’re here and they say they’ll come someday, but they put it off.”

I guess now we’ve got our excuse. Although, maybe if we wait a little longer the U.S. dollar will rise against the loonie….

Head to USA Today for the full story.

Valentine’s Idea: Keep Each Other Warm in Quebec’s Ice Hotel

by Willy Volk on

For people whose idea of The Perfect Valentine’s Day involves lots and lots of cuddling, you might want to check into Quebec’s Ice Hotel. Fashioned from 4-foot-thick blocks of ice, the hotel’s walls insulate against the frigid outdoor temperatures and keep guests inside enjoying comparatively balmy 23°-28°F rooms. Think of it as sleeping inside a giant Thermos.

Open from January to April, the Ice Hotel is made from 500 tons of ice and 15,000 tons of snow. In addition to heated bathrooms, the hotel features a wedding chapel, igloo-building classes, and the Ice Lounge — for when you want to chill. Many of the rooms feature themes; some have fire places; and one even has private hot tub with waterfront views.

The hotel is currently running a cool Romantic Shivers promotion: $159 gets you a drink in an ice tumbler (that you can keep as a souvenir!); one night in the hotel; access to the public hot tubs and sauna (that’s where I’ll be); and more. If you need a little nudge before you’re willing to plop down some of your cold, hard cash on a night in a glorified igloo, check out the trip reports by Lisa Shea or Andrea Granahan. Also, be sure to swing by Etolane’s Ice Hotel images on Flickr, in which she lovingly, dotingly, joyously photo-documents the hotel. What amazing colors! It’s like sleeping inside a prism.