QUEBEC — Organizers of the Quebec Winter Carnival will be inviting visitors to spend a night in the cold, sleeping in tents on the Plains of Abraham.
“It’s a kind of an extreme activity we’re proposing to our guests this year,” said carnival president Jean-Francois Cote.
Tents that can accommodate up to four people will be provided along with sleeping bags in a “winter village” that will be set up for the 57th edition of the carnival, which runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 13. The tents will be available on three nights: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and 12.
“We provide everything. The only thing people have to bring is some warm clothes,” said Cote, adding that registration in advance is necessary.
Last year about 750,000 people visited the carnival, which has a budget of $10.3 million. About 16 per cent came from outside the province, divided equally between the rest of Canada and other countries.
But just a small fraction of this year’s visitors will have the privilege of freezing in sleeping bags, since only about 10 tents will be set up, said Cote.
Also new this year are skijoring (being pulled by horses while on skis), a 150-metre-long zipline and a large ferris wheel on the Plains of Abraham.
The wheel will be lit up and be “spectacular as a light show,” said Cote. “It’s 70 feet tall (21 metres) so you’ll have a great view of Quebec.”
Most carnival events are free.
On the web: www.carnaval.qc.ca
