'Kimono' sculpted by Hiroaki Kimura and Masaki Takahashi of Japan, Winterlude 2010

Carved for the cold. Winterlude begins

Winterlude starts today in Ottawa–Gatineau, and the forecast is simple: dress warmly and stay outside longer than planned. The festival began in 1979, when the National Capital Commission set out to make winter feel inviting rather than isolating—and that thinking still holds.

Events take place across Jacques-Cartier Park (North Section) and Confederation Park, where winter activities are spread out rather than squeezed into one spot. The Rideau Canal Skateway remains the headline attraction when conditions allow, offering kilometres of maintained ice through the city. Alongside it, Winterlude brings together snow parks, live performances, family-friendly programming and food stalls designed for quick warm-ups between outings. Ice carving demonstrations and snow sculptures add variety to the schedule without over-planning the experience.

The sculpture featured in today's image, 'Kimono,' was displayed during the 2010 festival. Part of the festival's long-running ice carving competition, it reflects how artists transform ice into detailed works that exist only as long as the cold cooperates. New this year is the Nordic Run by Nomades du Parc, with 1 km, 5 km and 12 km routes tracing the Gatineau River and Leamy Lake. Winterlude doesn't soften winter—it gives it purpose.