Ice Castles and Flashing Blades

In the lull between Christmas and New Years Day many in the city either have the week off outright or work reduced hours.  It seems to suit the character of Winnipeg, families get a chance to spend time together and enjoy a little break before things start back up in earnest.

I took a little drive one afternoon to check out one of my favourite haunts, The Forks Market.  It was alive with activity skaters as flew by everywhere on the icy paths that are converted for the season. The chilly temperature of -18c seemed warm in the afternoon sun.  People walked and skated laughing just enjoying the day.  Children held mom and dad’s hand or ran with friends everywhere.  The centre of activity for the little ones is an ice castle, complete with 4 entrances and an ice slide in the middle.

Ice skating under the canopy at The Forks.

The big tent, I helped build and install this canopy in the early 90's.

The Ice Castle.

Even adults can't resist playing with the kids in the castle

A nice day out for families in the sun.

New Years Eve in Winnipeg

What to do, what to do.  Here it is just before 9 am on Dec 31 and I still don’t have a plan on what to do tonight.  Well maybe going through a quick list of what Winnipeg has to offer can help me make up my mind.

Starting at the centre of it all, Winnipeg’s historic Forks Market, is doing a family friendly First Night Celebration.  It’s a day long event, complete with ice skating on the winding trails that crisscross through the site. The frozen Assiniboine River forms the worlds largest outdoor skating trail.  Sorry Ottawa, but once again Winnipeg’s rink reigns supreme, check out the Video.  It promises to be a chilly day hovering in the minus 20’s Celsius so hot chocolate and coffee would warm up the body while waiting for the fireworks tonight.