What: 57th Annual Québec Winter Carnaval
Where: Across two major sites: Place Loto-Québec (located in front of the Québec Parliament) and Place Des Jardins (located on the Plains of Abraham)
When: January 28—February 13, 2011
Why: Because the gifts are unwrapped, the tree is put away, and the glow of the holiday season has subsided into a general feeling of overeating-induced, holiday-hangover ennui. And the temps continue to drop.
Leave it to the friendly folks of Canada to give us a reason to actually celebrate the frigid weather. Enter the largest winter carnival, complete with sleigh rides, sugar shacks, outdoor dance parties, a snow sculpture workshop (and competition) and activities from snow rafts to ziplines.
Join Bonhomme, king of Carnaval, in all things wintry. Nightlife fiends will get their groove on at the outdoor dance parties at Place Loto-Québec and catch live performances from some of Canada’s favorite bands on the Hydro-Québec Stage. Intrepid types can brave the ominous-sounding snow bath, while those not so fond of the cold have plenty of opportunities to keep warm among the gaiety. A good long soak in the hot tubs of Arctic Spas Village should do the trick.
Food (and drink)-wise there’s SAQ Bistro with myriad bliss bites as well as steaming cups of hot cider. Or pick up a hot chocolate from the Metro tent or stands at the bistro on Plains of Abraham and Place Loto-Québec. More adult minds should keep their fingers crossed that the rumor is true about some stands will drop cider for Sortilège, a maple-flavored whiskey.
For the pint-sized snow bunnies (and big ones alike) there’s the Ice Universe of incredible arctic sculptures and the animations and activities at the Mr. Christie’s Kraft Village. Then there’s the big wheel on the Plans of Abraham, which is also the site of a skating rink and—on weekend two—a hockey festival. But front and center in 2011 are the games galore: Think winter sports, brain teasers, zany challenges. In short, a little something for everyone. Convinced yet? If not, we have eight words: parades, pancake breakfasts, soapbax derby, treats, treats, treats.
Are you packing up your snow cloths yet? Get in on the winter wonderland action by booking a hotel package that will save you money and provide a cozy place to warm up after a long day in the snow. We like the packages at Auberge L’Autre Jardin (a green inn!) from $140, Hotel Clarendon from $209, Hotel Pur from $209, Auberge ed Chalets Refuge du Faubourg from $113, and Couette et Cafe Champlain from $242.
Cost: A Carnaval pass, called an “effigy,” costs $12 and offers access to most of the activities over 17 days. A family package costs $36 for four effigies. Many hotel packages, including those above, include at least one effigy.
How to get there: After landing at Jean Lesage Airport in Quebec City, rent an eco-friendly hybrid and head towards the Pierre Laporte Bridge (20 East). Take the Boulevard Laurier exit and keep going straight until you reach Old Québec, where the carnival is held. If you come from 40 East, head straight until you reach Dorchester Road, where you turn right on Dorchester, and eventually end up in front of the Parliament, where there is plenty of parking nearby. For a full activity program, visit the website. (Québec Winter Carnival, carnaval.qc.ca)
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Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram