About Vanessa Muri
Montreal City Editor Vanessa Muri has lived in London and Tokyo, but finds the charms of her hometown irresistible. From the latest scoops to the best deals in Montreal and everything in between, don't miss her weekly take on life in the fair city.
Let it Snow
Montreal Musings: Snow Village canada, Montreal
(Jan.25.12)
Back in November, we learned that the first Snow Village in North America would be right here in our own backyard.
After some delays (not enough snow, the irony…) the Village at Parc Jean Drapeau is open for business. It’s smaller than I imagined it would be, but there are some lovely (and amusing) surprises waiting to be discovered.
Must-see stops on your tour include Rooms -4, -5, -15 and -22; the Ice Chapel – go in far enough to appreciate the gorgeous wall “painting”; and finally, the hotel lobby. The ice sculptures, including a replica of the city, are stunning.
Top tips for enjoying your trip to the village:
1) Buy your tickets ahead of time online – there is only one wicket onsite.
2) Take public transportation (it’s only a 3-minute walk) and save on parking ($6/hour; $16/day).
3) Dress warmly – it’s much colder inside an igloo than you might think! (I was warmer outside.)
4) Go around dusk or later; the lights make the village come to life.
5) Have a drink at the ice bar!
The Snow Village is open until March 31st.
Photos: Marc Muri Photography