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| Lifestyle Kit Index > Winter Fun | |||
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People on the West Island sum up winter inone word: "Fun!" |
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In December, cities prepare their outdoor skating rinks: tots, figure skaters and learners use the small rinks, leaving the big ice for shinney hockey, open to whoever shows up to play. When the first snow arrives, you'll see children tobogganning down the local hills - or any slant in the terrain. 
No toboggan? Cardboard sheets from packing crates do fine in the backyard.Winter also helps West Islanders enjoy the outdoors, free, on cross-country skis, snow shoes or boots. You can safely walk on some lakes and rivers on well travelled trails. You can even fish! Buy a jigging rod and use holes left by fishermen. In February, people look forward to spring skiing on granular snow under bright skies. Schools and towns celebrate the longer days with Carnivals: everything from sleigh rides to ice sculpture and Mardi Gras costume parties. Here's where to start organizing your winter fun: |
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ALPINE SKIINGThe nearest ski runs lie barely 30 minutes west at Rigaud. Within two hours driving, you can reach 40 major resorts in the Laurentians, Eastern Townships, New York and Vermont. Man-made snow enables the season to go from November to mid-May.
Some sport stores sell coupon books featuring discounts
for weekdays and non-holidays at downhill centres throughout the North East.Québec's tourism ministry publishes an annual guide to all Québec ski hills. Call 873-2015. www.bonjourquebec.com
Check newspapers for groups advertising day trips and lessons
for all ages. Papers also list seasonal and family lift rates.YMCA SKI SCHOOL 694-9622 www.ymca.ca ROD ROY SKI SCHOOL 626-6240 www.rodroy.com
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIINGYou'll find ample opportunity to enjoy this wonderful sport - le ski de fond. It can prove as arduous or as easy as you want. Enjoy the trails at Morgan Arboretum and the West Island golf courses. The Montréal Urban Community marks and maintains trails, with cafeterias and rest huts, in three large West Island parks: Cap St-Jacques - Pierrefonds; Parc de l'Ile Bizard and Bois de Liesse in Pierrefonds and Dollard. Once the ice is well set, Lake St-Louis offers challenging possibilities for cross country skiers, with interesting views of waterfront homes. If you tire, head for shore and take the bus back to the start. Further west, the recreation centre Les Forestiers in St. Lazare, 455-6771, maintains separate trails for cross-country skiing and dog-sledding.
TOBOGGANNINGBright winter days, many families head for the Beaconsfield Golf Course, Allen Hill in Baie d'Urfé or Centennial Park in Dollard. Others go to Senneville's Domtar site or the Morgan Arboretum in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. |
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| FUN
ON ICE |
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| Freezing brings the ice fishing huts on to the lakes. You'll also see ice boats speeding across the bays, and people skating on Lac St-Louis and Lac des-deux Montagnes. To fish, people over 18 need a license - from stores selling fishing tackle. The license is bought during the summer time and is valid for a year.
Try fishing below the rapids at Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. It
is quite safe as the ice is up to 12 inches thick. Check the listings below
for information on curling, ringuette for girls, power skating, skating
lessons and Québec's winter passion, hockey.
HOCKEY AND SKATINGCities start grooming outdoor rinks in early December and keep them maintained all winter. Hockey leagues, figure skating and skating classes all use indoor rinks, which also open for free-skating. For indoor rinks, contact these municipalities: |
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Hockey teams welcome people aged 5 to 20, plus the "Old Timers' leagues". Call your local arena for the con-tacts of the various hockey associations. |
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| ASSOCIATIONS | |||
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A list of hockey schools available during the summer months can be found in SUMMER FUN section of this material. |
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RINGUETTE A team-based ice sport for girls and women in which players pass and shoot using straight sticks and a rubber ring. It is known as "the fastest game on ice", and focuses on speed, agility and finesse. Ringuette is played at the arenas, call the arenas for information about the leagues. |
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FIGURE SKATING Figure skating clubs and lessons are available through the recreation departments of: Beaconsfield, Kirkland, Lachine, Pierrefonds, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Dorval and Pointe-Claire.
CURLING |
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