Take a stroll through winters past with Canada’s winter festival in the heart of the nation’s capital.
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A look back at Winterlude through the years Gerald Beaulieu, from Prince Edward Island, puts the finishing touches on a snow sculpture for Winterlude celebrations on Parliment Hill in Ottawa Thursday, February 10, 2000. Winterlude festivites will continue on the week-ends through out the month of February in Ottawa and Hull. (CP PHOTO/Andre Forget)
A look back at Winterlude through the years United States Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins gets hugged by Ice Hog Mama the one of the official mascots of Winterlude festival on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Friday February 17, 2006. Wilkins was sampling Ottawa's famous Beaver Tail pastry garnished with his favorite snack - boiled peanuts imported from his home state of South Carolina. (CP PHOTO/Fred Chartrand)
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ice carver Hideshi Terada from Gatineau, Quebec holds a fish sculpted out of ice as he smokes and waits for it to freeze in place on the sculpture he is creating called "Life in Balance" with teammate Junichi Nakamura from Japan during Winterlude festivities in Ottawa on Sunday, February 6, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ice carver Ross Baisas aligns the arm piece of his ice sculpture he and teammate Michael Tuinstra are creating during Winterlude festivities in Ottawa on Sunday, February 6, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years Members of the Ottawa Police take part in the 31st annual Bedzzz race on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Every year the race is held during Winterlude to support local communities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years A team from Burlington, Ont., decorated as Chilean Miners complete with escape module participates in the 31st annual Bedzzz race on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Every year during the race is held during Winterlude to support local communities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years The Avengers team from Ottawa cheer as they cross the finish line beating another team from Ottawa during the 31st annual Bedzzz race on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Every year the race is held during Winterlude to support local communities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years Governor General Michaelle Jean, husband Jean-Daniel Laford and daughter Marie-Eden host a day of Winter Celebrations at Rideau Hall during Winterlude festivities in Ottawa on Saturday Feb. 9, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ice sculptor Laurent Godon sculpts a unicorn out of a block of ice in Confederation Park during Winterlude in Ottawa on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. Godon is considered one of the fastest ice sculptors in the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ice carver Hideshi Terada from Gatineau, Quie., positions an ice fish with help teammate Junichi Nakamura from Japan on their ice scuplture called "Life in Balance" during Winterlude festivities in Ottawa on Sunday, February 6, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit
A look back at Winterlude through the years Energy drinks are chilled in the snow during the 2015 Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Festival on Dow's Lake in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015. The 4 on 4 tournament is taking place on the last weekend of the Winterlude Festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Spectators take in the game with hot beverages and a blanket at the 2015 Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Festival on Dow's Lake in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015. The 4 on 4 tournament is taking place on the last weekend of the Winterlude Festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Katie Jee and her daughter Anna, 3, slide down an ice slide at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau on the first weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival, on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Karine Buteau (left), Olivier Vallee, and their daughter Khelya Vallee, 2, slide down an ice slide at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau on the first weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival, on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years A visitor to Commissioner's Park takes a photo of an ice sculpture during the first weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Skaters make their along the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa during the 32nd annual Winterlude Triathlon on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. The triathlon, comprising of an eight kilometre skate, five kilometre ski and five kilometre run, is one of the oldest activities of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Steve Blaskie runs during the during the 32nd annual Winterlude Triathlon in Ottawa on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. The triathlon, comprising of an eight kilometre skate, five kilometre ski and five kilometre run, is one of the oldest activities of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years A triathlete skis in the Arboretum during the 32nd annual Winterlude Triathlon in Ottawa on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. The triathlon, comprising of an eight kilometre skate, five kilometre ski and five kilometre run, is one of the oldest activities of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Skaters make their way under the Bronson Avenue Canal Bridge on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the 31st Annual Winter Triathlon on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. The triathlon, comprising of a skate-ski-run, is one of the oldest activities of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years The Great Waterways hot air balloon casts a shadow on the Rideau Canal Skateway at Dow's Lake on the last day of the Winterlude festival during a winter flight in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ka-Wai Wong of Ottawa puts the finishing touch on a Winterlude ice sign at Confederation Park during the first day of Winterlude in Ottawa on Friday Feb 6, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years The Massie family (from left) Mackenzie, 10, Lauren, 13, Holly, 9, Anthony (dad) Garett, 8, and Patricia (mom) skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway on the final day of Winterlude in downtown Ottawa on Sunday Feb. 17, 2008. The Massie's plan on spending family day together sledding and playing indoor soccer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years Skaters make their way along the Rideau Canal Skateway during the opening weekend of Winterlude in Ottawa on Sunday Feb. 3, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years The Chateau Laurier is seen behind skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway at the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. Ontario's tourism minister says the province won't be extending the staycation tax credit for another year, despite the hard-hit industry recommending the move as a way to help it recover from the pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years John Verheul and his son Xavier, 3, walk through a tunnel of 1,300 lanterns on display at Winterlude festival in Ottawa, Saturday February 2, 2013. The lantern garden is to commemorate the 50th anniversary diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korean. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
A look back at Winterlude through the years Competitors are seen from under a gate as they make their way down the course at the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Competitors use paddles with spikes to propel a dragon boat equipped with metal runners. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years A carved dragon head on the front of a parked dragon boat is seen as competitors race at the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival on the Rideau Canal Skateway during the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Competitors use paddles with spikes to propel a dragon boat equipped with metal runners. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ice sculptor Mowafak Nema of Ottawa puts the final touches on his 'Lost Memories' themed sculpture during the first day of Winterlude in Ottawa on Friday, January 31, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years People, including Karine Buteau (centre) and her daughter Khelya Vallee, 2, try out kicksleds at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau on the first weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival, on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Brigitte Lafleur and her boyfriend Paolo Petro of Aylmer, Que., hold hands as they skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway under the Bank Street bridge during the final weekend of Winterlude in Ottawa on Saturday Feb. 16, 2008.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years Philip Bestergaard, 3, of Denmark, snacks on a maple taffy treat at Commissioner's Park on the first weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Christopher Damiani of Paris, France, starts to carve a horse as he takes part in the individual ice sculpture competition at Confederation Park during the first day of Winterlude in Ottawa on Friday Feb. 6, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years People skate under the Bank Street Bridge on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on the first weekend of Winterlude, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. The winter festival, which usually features artistic performances, an ice carving competition and a park transformed into a winter playground, is being held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Racers make their way towards Dow's Lake on the Rideau Canal during the skate of the 41st Winterlude Triathlon, on the first weekend of the festival in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years People pause to check out an ice sculpture titled "Seventh-Heaven" by Guy Beauregard of St-Jacques-le-Majeur, Que., as they make their way through the ice sculpture exhibit during the first weekend of Winterlude in Ottawa on Sunday Feb. 8, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ottawa Bylaw officers in an ATV patrol the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, on the first weekend of Winterlude, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Bylaw officers were present to enforce COVID-19 guidelines such as physical distancing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Governor General Mary Simon gets a hug from a Winterlude mascot during a Winterlude Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
A look back at Winterlude through the years People skate on the Rideau Canal on the first weekend of the Winterlude festival in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Marie-Eve Rondeau gives Emma Legaultat, 2, a bite of her Beavertail pastry as they have a snack at Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Que. during the first weekend of Winterlude, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years A worker uses an auger to drill a hole in the ice that crews will use to flood the surface of the Rideau Canal Skateway, as the National Capital Commission works to re-open it to skaters, in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. The Skateway opened in late January but mild weather and freezing rain forced it to close after only four days. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years People tube down the ice slides as others walk about at Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Que. during the first weekend of Winterlude, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years People tube down the ice slides at Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Que. during the first weekend of Winterlude, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Carly Mushaha, staff with the City of Gatineau, launches a visitor down the ice slides at Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Que. during the first weekend of Winterlude, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ahad Khakwani, 4, sits in his tube as he waits for his turn to go down the ice slides at Snowflake Kingdom during the first weekend of Winterlude, in Gatineau, Que. on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Parliament Hill is seen in the background as people line up with tubes to ride down the ice slides at Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Que. during the first weekend of Winterlude, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years People line up at a BeaverTails pastry stand on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, after its reopening, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. The National Capital Commission listed the ice condition as "very poor" and recommended visitors walk, rather than skate, after an overnight snowfall prevented crews from flooding the canal overnight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years A skater falls after going over the uneven surface of the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, after its reopening, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. The National Capital Commission listed the ice condition as "very poor" and recommended users walk, rather than skate, after an overnight snowfall prevented crews from flooding the canal overnight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years Kelly Ireland (left) and Agie Yatsko of Washington, D.C. drink hot chocolate at a pop-up cafe made of ice at Commissioner's Park during the first weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years People take in the winter activities during a Winterlude Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
A look back at Winterlude through the years Tallulah Price, 11, tries her hand on the outdoor curling rink at the Lansdowne Park Skating Court in Ottawa, on the final weekend of the National Capital Commission's Winterlude Festival, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. An extreme cold warning is in affect, with wind chills of -35C to -40C expected. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A look back at Winterlude through the years People ski on giant skies during a Winterlude Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
A look back at Winterlude through the years Ice sculptor Heidi Bayley smoothes out a glass-like finish on a standup bar embedded with maple leafs that is part of the Ice Cafe, an attraction for the upcoming Winterlude festivities, in Ottawa Thursday Jan 24, 2002. Ottawa has had unusually high temperatures causing the closure of the canal usually used for skating this time of year.(CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson)
