Let's tie our hats and mittens; It's time to play outside with the family! We have prepared a cocktail of outdoor winter activities for the bravest and indoors for the more cautious.
Home
The virtual exhibitions offered by several museums are a great source of escape, while staying in the comfort of your home, you will have the illusion of traveling.
Virtual Tours - McCord Museum
Thursdays and Sundays
For lovers of haute couture, they offer you the exhibition ' Christian Dior '. This major exhibition explores the genius behind the spectacular creations that revived Parisian haute couture in the 1950s with the revolutionary “New Look”. From extraordinary city outfits to evening dresses and ball gowns, admire the iconic lines of the great couturier, the luxurious fabrics and the romantic embroideries that are the basis of the House's worldwide success.
In addition, they offer the exhibition 'Chapleau - Profession: Caricaturist'. With his incisive pen and sharp line, Chapleau creates a hilarious representation of Quebec society. Politicians,celebrities and other public figures; no one escapes the biting humor of the Montreal artist. The exhibition, which includes more than 150 caricatures, sketches and original illustrations, reveals the new facets of this multidisciplinary artist. Invariably under the sign of satire, the exhibition brings to life 50 years of popular culture and Quebec news.
Finally, the virtual exhibition 'Wearing one's identity - the first peoples collection' will please any history lover. The permanent exhibition invites you to discover the heritage of the first peoples of Canada, and to appreciate the richness of their cultures through clothing and accessories. It also features three works by Nadia Myre, contemporary Algonquin artist, member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg nation.
All virtual tours are done on Zoom, at a cost of $7 per connection, or free for Museum Members. For schedules and more details, visit the McCord Museum.
Virtual tours - Louvre Museum
Anytime, for free
The Louvre invites you to visit the museum, all from the comfort of your home! Enter the rooms of the museum, contemplate the facades of the palace and admire the view. With 7 virtual exhibitions, you are sure to find a theme to your liking, which will excite and enrich you throughout your visit.
Full details are here.
Preparing for Valentine's Day
This issoon the feast of love and friendship! We offer you great ideas for crafts, recipes and activities to do as a family. Consult our file here!
Outside
We strongly suggest you stay home as much as possible, but a bit of sunshine during the day can make all the difference to your spirits.
If your kids need to move, here are some outdoor activities to do with your family bubble.
This winter, we play outside at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Until March 7, 2021
Whether they are sliding sports enthusiasts, cross-country skiers, cyclists, climbers, hikers or simply nature lovers, Parc Jean-Drapeau will be ready to welcome them all this winter. We will have to count on the collaboration of Mother Nature for the implementation of certain activities, but fortunately, we announce a mild and snowy winter!
For figure skaters, hockey players, and their younger siblings tying their skates for the very first time…
It is first of all at Espace 67 that visitors are invited with the installation of a refrigerated skating rink and a free sliding area. Young and old can therefore bring their skates and sleds to spend a pleasant time with the family while admiring the view of the metropolis. Ambient music will animate the site thanks to the complicity of Radio-Canada, which is associated this year with the winter offer of the Park. So it's a meeting at the Patinoire Radio-CanadaOhdio! Put on your skates, then stroll to the sound of comforting atmospheres and music playlists from the Radio-Canada OHdio app, specially concocted for you.
For cross-country skiing enthusiasts
Two classic-style cross-country ski trails will be marked and maintained to allow cross-country skiers to practice their sport. A first initiation course will be set up at Espace 67 on Île Sainte-Hélène and a second, over a distance of 5 kilometers, on Île Notre-Dame. Free introductory lessons will also be offered by Ski de fond Montréal, in compliance with the sanitary measures that will be in place this winter.
Psst… check out our article 8 Great Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing Trails in Quebecfor more great trails!
For Fat Bikers
Fat bike enthusiasts, for their part, will have access to winding trails, glades and many elevation changes on the trails of Mont Boullé on Île Sainte-Hélène. In addition, Parc Jean-Drapeau's climbing wall will be transformed into a real ice wall where climbers can indulge in their favorite activity.
For all those who want to enjoy the outdoors even if they are not equipped
Parc Jean-Drapeau will also make rental equipment available to visitors (skates, cross-country skis, Fat bikes, snowshoes, etc.) which will be free for Montreal residents under the age of 18 years.
To see the full list of activities, and for all the details, visitthe www.parcjeandrapeau.com
Discover Mount Royal Park
Until March 14, 2021
Near Beaver Lake on Mount Royal, put on your skates and improvise a few tricks. Still in operation, the equipment rentalallows you to purchase skates, cross-country skis, snowshoes and inner tubes on site, to fully enjoy the beloved mountain. To discover the mountain differently, take on the family rally The mysteries of Beaver Lake!
Did you know that there are more than twenty species of birds to observe in winter until mid-April on Mount Royal? Take a tour of the feeders installed all along Olmsted Road, between the Smith House and the Chalet du Mont-Royal and on the summit loop. Details here.
For the complete list of winter activities offered at Mount Royal, click here.
Visit an outdoor museum - The Botanical Garden
Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., without reservation
Good news: access to the outdoor gardens is free during the cold season! So go rediscover the Botanical Garden in its winter version, while moving and enjoying the outdoors! Getting some fresh air at the Montreal Botanical Garden is like going to a museum!
Cross-country skiing enthusiasts, the Montreal Botanical Garden offers you a circuit of three kilometers of groomed trails, on which you can practice your favorite winter sport! From sunrise to sunset, runyou on the snowy trails that cross the Arboretum. For an extended circuit, the trails communicate with those of Parc Maisonneuve. Details are here.
Play outside, near you
From January 11, until mid-March
The municipal ice rinks are slowly starting to open. Visit your municipality's website for all the details.
In addition, outdoor winter activities are encouraged to raise the morale of young and old. Sliding, skiing, skating and more available at local parks. Visit this listof mountains and outdoor resorts open across Quebec.
