Montreal Is Totally Cool

Maripierre D’Amour says Montreal’s igloofest is totally cool.

The outdoor celebration will be held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Jan. 14 to Feb. 6 in Montreal’s Old Quarter, with the parties aimed at those in the 18-to-35 age bracket.

Participants will find music and DJs in what’s been described as a “totally festive environment.”

This winter marks igloofest’s 10th year and D’Amour says it’s easy to attract people to an outdoor party scene during the height of Montreal’s winter.

“We have to embrace winter,” she said during a Tuesday Toronto event. “We’re northern people. You dress properly, find your inner child and head outside. It’s a great time.”

igloofest does have some indoor events but D’Amour said its outdoor side helps make it a unique celebration.

Meanwhile, D’Amour says those who aren’t enamored with the thought of visiting Montreal in winter should consider Piknic Electronik, another outdoor series of parties that begins May 22.

“Come to Montreal,” D’Amour added. “It’s a great city – winter or summer.”

Meanwhile, Hugo Leclerc of Tourisme Montreal said Montreal is on the verge of a spate of hotel openings. A 142-room Marriott Renaissance is slated to open in the downtown area in January; the 20-room boutique luxury Boxhotel will open downtown in February; Hotel Mount Stephen will open in the spring with 90 rooms “in an elegant luxury setting” in the downtown area; and the upscale Sixty Hotel will open late next year or in early 2017.

Leclerc noted igloofest is only one of a number of winter developments in the city, saying visitors can “thumb their noses” at cold weather by dressing warmly.

He added that Montreal’s “Underground City” covers 32 kms, and late February will see that sheltered part of the city’s life host Subterranean Art, which will have some 150 artworks.

Also imminent is the opening of an observatory on top of Montreal’s Place Ville-Marie. That attraction will open in February and occupy the top three floors of the office tower, with the top floor featuring a restaurant and terrace. An interactive experience will focus on both historical and contemporary Montreal.

“This is right in the centre of the city,” Leclerc noted, adding it will provide dramatic views.

Seen here are Gillian Hall of VoX International, which represents Tourisme Quebec in Ontario and other parts of the country; with D’Amour and Leclerc.

Go to http://www.tourisme-montreal.org or visit http://www.igloofest.ca for more.