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Winterlude 2025 Thrives with Record Attendance and Fun

David Wilson and Jackie Eckholm have long aspired to experience Winterlude and skate on the famous Rideau Canal. After their previous visit to Ottawa nearly a decade ago, they were eager to return. When they learned in January that the canal skateway was open for the season, they quickly made travel plans to Canada’s capital.

While exploring Sparks Street on a Friday morning amidst the stunning ice sculptures created for the annual winter festival, Eckholm expressed her joy at being in this “winter wonderland.” The Chicago couple took part in various activities, including skating, enjoying refreshments at the Château Laurier, and visiting the Royal Canadian Mint.

“We arrived Wednesday night and woke up to a delightful snowstorm. It was wonderful since winters back home have been quite mild in recent years,” Eckholm shared, humorously noting her fondness for Canada and her wish that it might annex the United States.

Unfortunately, the past few winters in Ottawa could be described as similarly uneventful, with minimal cold weather compromising winter recreational activities.

Winter Activities Back on Track

The previous winter saw the Rideau Canal skating rink remain closed for the first time ever, while in 2024, it only opened for a short duration due to unfavorable conditions. Additionally, the ice sculptures showcased as part of Winterlude struggled to survive the winter warmth, with many failing to endure the entire festival.

However, the weather in 2025 has been more favorable, allowing the winter festival to flourish. The event typically attracts around 600,000 visitors each year, approximately one-third of whom travel from outside the city, according to the federal Department of Canadian Heritage.

This year’s Winterlude, which is set to continue until February 17, features two main locations: Sparks Street and “Snowflake Kingdom” in Gatineau. Here, attendees can sample maple syrup taffy, enjoy light shows, and navigate fun slides.

In total, more than 600 volunteers collaborate to coordinate the event, with around 100 serving in costume as the festival’s mascot, Ice Hog.

Ines Akué, a Canadian Heritage spokesperson, described 2025 as a year of revitalized enthusiasm for Winterlude: “With favorable weather and the iconic Rideau Canal Skateway fully operational, visitors have come out in large numbers to our two official sites, enjoying a variety of activities that celebrate winter and highlight Canada’s cultural diversity.”

The Rideau Canal Skateway, a hallmark of Ottawa’s winter scene, has recorded its busiest season since 2019, with over 755,000 visits since its partial opening on January 11 and full opening on January 18, noted Maryam El-Akhrass from the National Capital Commission. “We anticipate welcoming our millionth visitor next week,” she added, attributing the strong attendance to consistently cold temperatures that have favored good ice conditions.

In contrast, the skating season in 2018-19 saw the canal open for 59 days, garnering nearly 1.5 million visitors.

Jenny Zhao, a local resident, shared her love for skating on the canal, stating, “It’s endlessly fun and enjoyable. During the winter, when the sun is shining, you can see everyone smiling.”

According to Jérôme Miousse, director of public affairs for Ottawa Tourism, the current Winterlude season has benefitted from high demand. “The first two weekends of the festival saw hotel occupancy rates surpass those of 2024, with the initial weekend nearly matching the record set in 2020. We are optimistically looking towards the third weekend, hoping for similarly high rates, weather allowing.”

Geneviève Latulippe, CEO of Outaouais Tourism, echoed similar sentiments, calling Winterlude a truly “magical” event. “The team works diligently every year to diversify programming, ensuring there are options available for everyone, regardless of their interests or the temperatures,” she stated.

This year’s final weekend of Winterlude will coincide with Flag Day celebrations, marking a festive close to the winter festivities.

Source
globalnews.ca