Winter Carnival Warm-Up

The right clothing, the right attitude and … as many hand-warmers as you can carry! That’s what you need to help keep you warm at the world’s biggest winter carnival, held annually in Québec City — where people come from all over the world to celebrate winter.

As the Carnaval de Québec is primarily outside, and temperatures can drop to minus 20 or 30 degrees Celsius, I don’t think I have ever been so cold. I packed a dozen disposable hand-warmers and used them all in four days. I tucked one in each glove, one in each boot, an extra at the ankles and one at the base of my neck. I even duct-taped hand-warmers to the outside of my camera battery to keep it working. (Each morning, I asked the concierge at the hotel for duct tape. On the fourth day, he finally asked me what I was doing with it and I showed him!)

Keeping warm was a popular theme for all Carnaval goers. Many carry Caribou, the special festival drink concocted with warmth in mind, in large, hollow, red plastic walking canes. Caribou is a combination of coarse red wine, brandy or whisky and maple syrup, flavoured with cloves and nutmeg. It didn’t help me though, as it was too strong for me to drink.

Outdoor fires placed throughout the town and festival grounds were inviting and helped me keep warm as I wandered the snow-covered streets. The dusting of snow, decorative ice sculptures and festive greenery adorning the storefronts and old buildings made the scene quintessentially Canadian.

At the end of each day, all I craved was a comforting meal in a warm and cozy bistro. A wide range of eateries offered delicious and filling Québecois fare, including tortierre, old-fashioned pea soup and traditional game dishes, such as stag, bison and wapiti (elk).

Time away from the chilly, bustling Carnaval is a must, and unwinding at the Nordic Spa was the most alluring choice. The spa features a Turkish spa, a dry Finnish sauna and a toasty hot pool. While I watched a few brave souls dipping in the nearby Jacques Cartier River, breaking through the ice with their heels first, I chose the outdoor hot pool. I stayed so long, icicles formed on my hair and eyebrows. Warmth never felt so good.

Carnaval de Québec runs from January 27 to February 12, 2012.

Love CARNAVAL DE QUEBEC? Find out more ways to enjoy it here!