Tonight, the youth group had the opportunity to experience the wonders of winter in Ottawa, the coldest capital city in the world. Despite the freezing temperatures, the people of Ottawa embrace the cold, and winter activities are an integral part of the city's culture. During this evening, the group participated in Winterlude, an annual festival that celebrates the beauty of winter through ice sculptures, outdoor activities, and unique experiences.
The group gathered at Confederation Park to admire a light display, but soon shifted their focus to experiencing the Rideau Canal. The adventurous athletes decided that backcountry activities weren’t enough for today. They laced up their skates and glided along the iconic Rideau Canal, the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink. This massive ice surface, which stretches over a flowing body of water, creates a true winter wonderland that attracts thousands of visitors each day. Thanks to the cold temperatures of the past few weeks, the ice was in perfect condition, allowing everyone to enjoy this rare and unforgettable experience.
No winter outing in Ottawa would be complete without a BeaverTail—a delicious local treat originally sold near the Rideau Canal. This fried dough pastry, often topped with sweet ingredients like cinnamon sugar, chocolate, or fruit, has since been spread across Canada, but it all started here in Ottawa, making it the perfect addition to the evening!
After skating—and perhaps fueled by the BeaverTail snack—some group members visited the ice sculptures before heading back home.
Tomorrow, we’ve decided to start our journey one hour later to allow the athletes to rest, as the evening turned out to be busier than expected. Another fun day awaits in the park, where we’ll do our own Marathon, followed by an overnight stay at Chalet des Érables. Please be patient as there will be no network in that area, so we won’t be able to provide updates. As some have said, “no news, good news!” You can expect to hear from us on Sunday around midday!
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