It's 'snow' easy feat to create Winterlude's winter wonderland

(NC)-Every year for Winterlude, the National Capital Commission (NCC) transforms Gatineau's Jacques-Cartier Park into Snowflake Kingdom, North America's largest snow playground. Winterlude is a unique winter festival held annually over three weekends in February in the Ottawa area.

How does the NCC create a giant network of snow slides, capable of accommodating 10,000 sliders per hour?

n The snow is made using snow cannons, which are in full operation around the clock, whenever weather permits.

n Once built, the giant snow slides are watered until they develop a thick ice coating of approximately 10 cm. This helps to prevent melting and damage to the slides. Slides are built to face north to avoid direct sunlight, which also helps reduce melting.

n Each slide is designed with a different degree of slope, height and speed, creating an exciting experience for all age groups.

n The overall design of the park and each structure is created by a team that includes a landscape architect and event specialists from the NCC and the Ville de Gatineau.

n The equipment used to build this magical site includes snow cannons, bulldozers, snow blowers, dump trucks, loaders, grooming machines, shovels, water trucks and more.

n Snowflake Kingdom is built by staff from the NCC, the Ville de Gatineau and from the company Meyknecht-Lisher, as well as other contractors. Professional sculptors join the team to apply the final decorative touches.

More than 300,000 visitors who are young or young at heart visit Jacques-Cartier Park's Snowflake Kingdom to take in the Winterlude activities every year. Those who visit are likely to catch a glimpse of the Ice Hogs, Winterlude's popular mascots, who make their home in the park during Winterlude.

More information about Winterlude is available by contacting the National Capital Commission toll free at 1 800 465-1867, or by visiting the websitewww.winterlude.gc.ca