Having fun while learning about the North and Canada's Northern Traditions;
Paying tribute to Québec City's 400th Anniversary;
Skating on a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and
30 Years of Winterlude – worth celebrating!

Canada's Capital Region - The National Capital Commission (NCC) announced today the exciting line-up of events to be presented during the 30th edition of Winterlude, Canada's winter celebration, and the 38 th season of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world's largest skating rink. This year, Winterlude takes place over three fun-filled weekends from February 1 to 17, 2008, during which time Canada's Capital Region becomes the ideal destination to learn about the North and Canadian winter traditions.

Mrs. Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, was joined by Mr. Patrick Dussault, Director of Government Services, Global Commercial Card for American Express, Larry O'Brien, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, and Mr. Simon Racine, Ville de Gatineau City Councillor, for this special news conference held at Confederation Park, in Ottawa.

"The 30th edition of Winterlude, Canada's winter celebration, will bring hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors together to discover, to learn and to celebrate Canadian winter traditions in the Capital," said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. "It is thanks in large part to the generous support of our numerous sponsors, partners and collaborators that the NCC is able to continuously enhance the winter experience for the hundreds of thousands of people who come to Canada's Capital region every year."

"American Express is thrilled to be back as the official partner of Winterlude and the Rideau Canal Skateway for a third consecutive year. We are proud to be part of this true celebration of Canadian culture and our climate," said Patrick Dussault, Director, Government Services Global Commercial Card, American Express. "Canada's Capital Region is an important centre for our business and is home to many of our employees - because of its importance to us, we've sponsored a number of cultural initiatives here and developed long standing partnerships with organizations such as the National Gallery of Canada and the National Capital Commission."

Winterlude activities will take place at four official sites in Ottawa and Gatineau: Confederation Park's Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden; Jacques-Cartier Park's Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom; the Rideau Canal Skateway; and the American Express Snowbowl, located on the Skateway, near Rideau Street.

Snapshot of the activities
In addition to bringing back favorite activities like the National Snow Sculpture Competition and lacing up on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the 30th edition of Winterlude will highlight Canada's Northern traditions, the 400th anniversary of Québec City, and the Rideau Canal's UNESCO designation as a World Heritage Site. The NCC will showcase Canada's North through a special collaboration with Northern Lights during the first weekend of the event, as well as on February 9, during a "Yukon Day", presented in collaboration with the Government of Yukon.

At the American Express Snowbowl
On Friday, February 1, at 7 pm, the NCC invites everyone to dress warmly and come out to the Winterlude Kick-Off. Featuring hip hop sensation and three-time JUNO Award winner K-OS, the opening night will include a special tribute to Québec City's 400th anniversary with guests Tricot Machine and Paule-Andrée Cassidy, as well as spectacular lighting and pyrotechnical effects. The Winterlude Kick-Off will be broadcast live on Rogers Television, Cable 22.

On Friday and Saturday evenings during Winterlude, Canadian talent from across the country will entertain the crowds at the American Express Snowbowl. La Bottine Souriante, Florent Vollant, Kinnie Starr, Tanya Tagaq, Joel Plaskett Emergency, The Road Hammers and April Wine are among the artists whose spectacular performances will animate this outdoor amphitheater. The upbeat sounds of Swing and the Campbell Brothers will start the party every Friday and Saturday night. They will be joined onstage by snow queens and dancers as a giant "rigaudon" is performed. Residents and visitors can also visit the American Express Snowbowl during the day, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for children's programming.

Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom at Gatineau's Jacques-Cartier Park
Again this year, North America's biggest snow playground, Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom, offers a myriad of winter activities presented by the NCC and the Ville de Gatineau. Equipped with larger-than-life snow slides and a giant labyrinth made of snow, Jacques-Cartier Park will provide enjoyment for children and the young at heart. The Village of Days Gone By, in collaboration with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), will showcase Aboriginal traditions and will pay tribute to the 400th anniversary of Québec City, through snow carvings, performances and encounters with historical characters.

Beginning on the second weekend of Winterlude, the public can admire fantastic snow sculptures created during the National Snow Sculpture Competition. Inspired by this year's theme "Northern Creations", thirteen teams of sculptors, representing each Canadian province and territory, will be challenged to depict the Northern themes that resonate in Canadian art. The teams will draw their inspiration from the literary, visual and musical arts.

Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden at Confederation Park
Visitors to Casino du Lac-Leamy's Crystal Garden will be greeted by impressive ice focal points that will include an awe-inspiring 34-tonne ice-carved reproduction of the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium, in honour of the 90th anniversary of the armistice of the First World War (as of February 8).

Visitors will also be able to admire an ice reproduction of Samuel de Champlain's ship, on display in the park, in honour of the 400th anniversary of Québec City.

During the first weekend of Winterlude, visitors are invited to stop by Confederation Park to admire the spectacular works of art created during the Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden 21st International Ice-Carving Competition. For the second weekend of Winterlude, the spotlight will be on world's master ice carvers as they demonstrate their skill and creativity by sculpting 25 blocks of ice under the theme "UNESCO World Heritage Sites".

New this year, the NCC is turning up the excitement at Confederation Park Friday and Saturday evenings from 8:30 pm to 10 pm with Sub-Zero DJ Happenin' nights at the Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Lounge. Visitors can move to the sounds of DJs including DJ Lance Baptiste, DJ Trevor Walker, DJ Dan Desnoyers and others.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, polar experts, such as Canadian singer-songwriter, Ian Tamblyn, Arctic Biologist and Historian, Dr. David Gray, and participants of Students on Ice Expeditions, will give inspiring presentations at the Crystal Lounge.

Rideau Canal Skateway
Recognized by Guinness World Records™ as the World's Largest Naturally Frozen Ice Rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway will host a variety of activities during Winterlude. The Ice Café at Dows Lake will highlight the Rideau Canal's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Quebec City's 400th anniversary through thematic ice sculptures and activities presented in collaboration with Parks Canada.

On February 9, visitors will be able to witness a friendly shinny hockey game between Ottawa Senators alumni and a rival team.

In addition to the many activities on the Winterlude official sites, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy activities offered inside and outdoors at the region's museums and institutions during this winter celebration.

For more information on Winterlude and the Rideau Canal Skateway, members of the public can contact the NCC at (613) 239-5000 or at 1 800 465-1867, or visit the website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca. TTY: 613-239-5090 or toll-free at 1-866-661-3530. For information on access to Winterlude's sites and the Rideau Canal Skateway for people with limited mobility, members of the public are invited to contact the NCC.

Editor's Note: See addional winter carnivals north of Toronto, or winter carnivals in and around Southern Ontario .