The Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom, a paradise of snow and winter pleasures, is officially open!

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Ville de Gatineau

News release

The Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom, a paradise of snow and winter pleasures, is officially open!

Gatineau, February 2, 2018. – The Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom is now officially open! From February 2 to 19, 2018, the northernmost tip of Jacques-Cartier Park is the place to be for kids of all ages who love snow and the pleasures of winter. Admission to the winter paradise is free for everyone!

Here's what awaits this year's visitors to the Snowflake Kingdom!

●	Three giant inner tube slides on one single giant snow structure, with a total of 14 lanes.

●	Humanoid, an interactive digital art projection, whose artistic use of sound and light will delight visitors.

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Also:
- an introduction to downhill skiing and snowboarding for the youngsters;
- dog sled rides on the weekends;
- loads of fun on the giant games;
- dazzling traditional snow sculptures, one of which is the highest ever so far at the Snowflake Kingdom;
- buskers providing shows and entertainment throughout the site; and
- outdoor fire pits where visitors can warm up.

●	The Snowflake Kingdom is the home away from home of Winterlude's famous mascots, the Ice Hog family, whose warm hugs are legendary!

●	For the full program lineup, go to www.snowflakekingdom.ca.

At a glance

●	This year, the Snowflake Kingdom�has moved to the northernmost tip of Jacques-Cartier Park. - The new site is about 650 metres to the north, still in Jacques-Cartier Park.

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Daniel Coutu, the event's spokesperson, will be at the site on the first weekend.
- A native of Gatineau,�he is very familiar with the Snowflake Kingdom, which�he visited as a child.
- He rediscovered the very popular spot with�his own children a few years ago.
- This year,�he will share�his experience with visitors.

Shuttles and parking

●	As in previous years, a free shuttle will link the three official Winterlude sites. For the OLG Sno-Bus schedule, go to www.sto.ca. - The shuttle will run on all three weekends of Winterlude.

●	There will be some traffic and parking adjustments to ensure the safety of visitors to the Snowflake Kingdom. For a map of the affected roads, go to the Snowflake Kingdom Web site.

●	For the list of parking lots, go to www.snowflakekingdom.ca.

Highlights

●	The relocation of the Snowflake Kingdom to the northernmost tip of Jacques-Cartier Park is temporary. It is due to Mosa�vernales, the winter even organized by Mosa�cultures internationales de Montr�al.

●	The Snowflake Kingdom is one of the three official Winterlude sites.

●	Ville de Gatineau is proud to be co-producing this giant winter playground with Canadian Heritage since 1982.

●	Quebec's minist�re du Tourisme du Qu�bec and minist�re de la Culture et des Communications are also instrumental to the success of this event.

Quote

�Ville de Gatineau is very pleased to be associated with the 40th Winterlude. Year after year, 200,000 visitors turn up for this great winter celebration in Ottawa-Gatineau. This year once again, no effort�has been spared to provide visitors with the unique winter experience that they�have come to expect from the Snowflake Kingdom!� indicated Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.

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