An appropriate way to start off the carnival is by attending the opening night show at the Place D'Youville skating rink. Here visitors will be introduced to the reigning carnival mascot, Bonhomme, before the skating rink turns into one large dance floor with loud music pumping underneath the stars. Fireworks are always a part of the opening ceremonies. For those who can not attend the opening ceremonies, there is an opportunity to shake it every weekend at the Ice Palace, an outdoor dance party.
Arguably the most famous activity at the carnival is the International Snow Sculpting Championships. Teams of three person ice sculpting artists from around the world descend upon the carnival each year to create large works. Each team has a captain who must be a professional sculptor and is given a block of snow 5.40 meters wide by 3 meters high and 3.60 meters in depth. Teams are given exactly five days to complete their work and use an identical set of tools. Prior to the competition, sculptors must mail in their concept for their piece in clay or detailed photograph. During the creation of sculptures, the public is free to roam through the area and observe the works in progress.
Another well known activity is attending one of the two night parades. Usually held during the second and third weekend, the night carnivals rival any large scale parade and are well produced with carefully designed floats, live music and dancers and lavish costumes. Themes often bring famous French stories and legend. This is by far the most colorful part of the carnival as designers go to great lengths to bring their concepts to life. This event is well attended so visitors should plan accordingly.
One of the more physically demanding activities of the carnival, for the participants anyway, is the 3.2-kilometer ice canoe race. Each year more than 40 teams compete in a race that is made exceptionally difficult by the large ice flows, frigid winter water temperatures and unruly current. Teams are organized into groups of five and must navigate while sometimes in the water, sometimes on moving ice and other times paddling. This event takes place regardless of the weather and can be easily viewed from the shoreline.
The Provincial Dogsled Competition, known locally as the Grand Verre, is held each year and consists of four dog teams and a driver. The six-kilometer race winds through the oldest part of Quebec City. Teams from across the province depart at one minute intervals and reach speeds of more than 30 miles an hour. Dog lovers can be further amused by the dog agility competition on snow. Other races include a soapbox derby and a snowshoe race.
