Montreal In Pictures

March 7 2012

Given that a mini “heat wave” is upon us (+11 this afternoon), I thought I better head on over to Parc Jeanne-Drapeau on Île Sainte Hélène to visit the Snow Village before it’s just a pool of water. The other choice was going and getting shots of students demonstrating over tuition fee hikes and being tear gassed by police. I decided on the safer touristic option.

The Montreal Snow Village (Village des Neiges) is inspired by similar European installations, such as the snow villages in resorts like Ylläsjärvi, Finland and Brixen im Thale, Austria. Snow Village Canada’s venture in Montreal represents the first snow and ice installation of its kind in a major metropolitan area, worldwide.

The village (made entirely out of ice and snow) includes an Ice Hotel offering 14 standard rooms and 10 prestige suites, 6 igloos, a heated glass igloo, a restaurant accommodating 60 guests, a bar with terrace seating up to 250 guests, a convention centre to hold corporate meetings and events and an Ice Chapel. In addition there are numerous ice sculpted replicas of some of Montreal’s landmark buildings and monuments (Marché Bonsecours, Musée des Beaux Arts and the Olympic Village).

Pommery Restaurant at the Snow Village Canada

The 30 room Ice Hotel occupies the majority of the site and seemed like a favorite attraction for kids who excitedly explored each room – not great when trying to take long exposures. I arrived at the snow village in time to catch the sun setting over Montreal just across the Saint Lawrence.

Montreal Ice Hotel with skyline of Montreal at sunset

The entrance to the Ice Hotel can be seen in the middle of the above image. Either side of the main entrance has the event name carved on the wall in French and English – Snow Village and Village des Neiges.

Entrance to the Montreal Ice Hotel

Lobby entrance to Montreal Ice Hotel

Once through the main archway to the lobby visitors are greeted with an in-the-wall fireplace with surrounding ice chairs.

Montreal Ice Hotel Lobby

In the middle of the lobby is a sculpted globe and to the rear a few sculptures sit behind an ice table.

Montreal Ice Hotel Lobby

Tunnels leading to the hotel rooms are on either side of the lobby, each having LED lights built in to the walls.

Montreal Ice Hotel tunnel leading to the rooms

One of my favorite rooms is the Montreal Canadiens themed room, complete with jersey, Stanley cup and hockey player sculptures. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get shots of the sculpted Stanley Cup of full-size hockey player – seemed like it wasn’t only my favorite room. It’s moments like this when I would really like to have the soon-to-be-released 360-imager panoramic camera by Tamaggo.

The Montreal Canadien themed hockey room at the Canada Snow Village

Another Prestige suite comes complete with chandelier, fireplace and mirror.

Another prestige suite at the Montreal Ice Hotel – complete with chandelier

In addition to the 24 rooms within the main hotel structure are 6 igloos.

Igloo area of the Canada Snow Village

Igloo area of the Canada Snow Village at night

For couples looking to tie the knot in a different setting, Saint-Joseph’s Chapel will certainly make the special day memorable.

Saint-Joseph’s chapel

inside Saint-Joseph’s chapel

I was in need of a drink, so headed over to the Amarula bar.

The Amarula Bar at the snow village Canada

Elephant wall carving in the Amarula Bar at the snow village Canada

No need to add ice to your drink

The Amarula DJ had the warmest spot in the bar

Next to the Amaluna bar is the Ice Convention Center available to businesses for hire.

Ice Convention Center at the Montreal Snow Village

Last room to explore was the Pommery Ice Restaurant where chef Éric Gonzalez from Auberge Saint Gabriel, serves up a Nordic inspired menue. The restaurant seats 60 and is open for lunch (16$ for a 2 course meal) and in the evening (59$ for 3 course gourmet menu). The evening price includes the entrance fee to the Snow Village, so not a bad deal!

The Pommery Ice Restaurant

The snow Village really transforms itself at night when the lights bring a more magical feel to the village. I read somewhere that it had been suggested to locate the village on Mount Royal, but I think the decision to go with Parc Jeanne-Drapeau was a good move. The Montreal city skyline as a backdrop is something to marvel – although the ghostly face peering out of the sky on this first picture freaked me out a little.

Canada Snow Village at night with Montreal skyline

Saint-Joseph’s Chapel at night

Snow Village Canada at night

Ghostly reflections

Reflections

Empty chairs in the snow

The Snow Village is open until March 31st and from what I hear the organizers have already made their revenue forecast. That hopefully means, even if the warm weather lasts and spring comes early, The Montreal Snow Village will become an annual event.

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.