Snowboarding in the city? Yes, in the Quartier des Spectacles!

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If you’re looking to explore new sports and enjoy winter in the Quartier des Spectacles, there’s no better cultural and sporting destination than Les Glissades Gamelin. The new sliding facility in Place Émilie-Gamelin welcomes winter sports enthusiasts each weekend until March 10 this year. Here’s what you need to know about the all-new experience.

By Sébastien Tétrault

What is Les Glissades Gamelin?

Les Glissades Gamelin invites winter sports enthusiasts and novices to get outside and play, in the heart of downtown. Open on weekends, the facility features two sliding runs: the mollo, for beginners, and the yolo, to satisfy the more experienced boarder. The whole family can enjoy sliding safely, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The recommended minimum age for enjoying the slopes to the fullest is 6. If you already have your own equipment, great! If not, you can borrow everything you need – including a helmet – on-site.

What’s the difference between the snowskate and the snow scooter?

The snowskate is a special snowboard that resembles a skateboard. It’s ultra-light and doesn’t have a binding, and it lets you slide downhill super-fast. The snow scooter is great for kids and occasional sliders. It features a handlebar, and while it slides as fast as the snowskate it gives the rider more control and stability.

What’s can you do to warm up after sliding?

Make your way to the snack bar operated by Les Survenants, L’Après-glisse, for a snack or a hot drink between sliding sessions. There’s coffee, hot chocolate, and mulled wine or cider. There’s even a special spiked Café Gamelin! If you’re hungry, try a European-style hot dog with sauerkraut or a grilled cheese, or maybe a bowl of won ton soup, available in both chicken and vegetarian versions. Discover the menu.

What else is going on?

Even if snowskates and snow scooters don’t appeal to you, you can still come out and get active. Every Saturday evening from 5:30 to 9 p.m., a series called L’Après-piste presents local DJs who will keep the dancefloor cooking! The scheduled DJs include N8, b2b and Bicotti on February 10, Okin on February 17 and March 2, N8 on February 24 and Zepha, b2b and Rig Thrall on March 9.

Children are invited to a storytelling series called Contes pour enfants. Every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., storytellers will delight children and adults with fantastical and captivating tales lasting about 30 minutes. Come inside where it’s warm to hear Julien Bauby on February 11, Mireya Bayancela on February 18 and Camille Deslauriers Ménard on February 25 and March 3 and 10.

Finally, Les Glissades Gamelin has even more activities for families and friends: pétanque on snow and a winterized beanbag game. Even more reasons to not be impatient for spring to arrive!