Montréal's largest outdoor winter event dates back to the early 1980's. Proud of their Nordic heritage, Montrealers expressed their desire to have their own festival to celebrate all that winter has to offer.

Playing in the snow, building snow sculptures, snuggling up to a cuddly polar bear - all great childhood memories. The ideas abounded and the overall enthusiasm led to the creation of the  Fête des Neiges de Montréal in 1983, an outdoor winter event directed towards families and all winter enthusiasts. The Club nautique de plein air (CNPA), a non-profit organization sponsored by the City of Montréal’s Sports and Leisure Department organized the event that took place on Man and his World’s Île Notre-Dame now known as Parc Jean-Drapeau. Also, in keeping with the theme, it was clear that the Polar Bear would be the perfect symbol for such a high-profile winter activity. And that's how event mascot, Boule de Neige was born.

From January 29 to February 6, 1983, the City of Montréal's largest park was home to this fun new celebration and the event became a true winter tradition in Montréal. Located only minutes away from Downtown, Parc Jean-Drapeau, was the ideal place to host such a large-scale event by virtue of its privileged location, its picturesque setting, its wide-open spaces and inasmuch as it had also inherited the Expo 67 installations. On many occasions, the Olympic Basin installations provided visitors with the longest skating rink in Montréal, measuring 2.2 km.

Later, in 1988, the CNPA became known as the Société de gestion des activités communautaires de l'Île Notre-Dame and in 1989, Société de l'Île Notre-Dame. For the most part, the same people who made up the original CNPA team were brought into this new governing body and saw to the organization of the Fête des Neiges as of 1989. Like the CNPA, the Société de l'Île Notre-Dame focused on promoting, developing and providing access to all kinds of sports, aquatic, community, cultural, and outdoor activities. As a non-profit organization, its mandate was the management and operation of most activities taking place on Île Notre-Dame and in the central part of Île Sainte-Hélène. At that time, La Ronde was managed by the Association montréalaise des activités récréatives et culturelles (AMARC), a paramunicipal agency of the City of Montréal.

In the past, the City of Montréal has held Fête des Neiges celebrations in various neighborhoods throughout the City. Special activities were organized, specifically at Parc Maisonneuve and Parc Angrignon. Many will remember the year when St. Denis Street was transformed into a spectacular ski slope or the time that dazzling ice sculptures were proudly displayed in Old Montréal. In 1992, the festivities returned to their original location and have since reigned supreme at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

In 1994, there was a merger between the Société de l'Île Notre-Dame and AMARC to form the Société du parc des Îles, now known as the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau . This City of Montréal's new paramunicipal corporation took charge of the management and development of all aspects of Parc Jean-Drapeau. In 1994, it took over the organization of the Fête des Neiges and has continued to do so ever since.

Moreover, a fact worthy of mention is that the Mayor of Montréal at the time of the very first Fête des Neiges was none other than Jean Drapeau. Considering the great legacy he left behind, it is not surprising that the site of so many public gatherings now bears his name. All those who work in this splendid location and welcome visitors to this magical place share Mr. Drapeau’s spirit of hospitality.

After many successful years, the Fête des Neiges de Montréal has become the City’s foremost outdoor winter event. Having the lovable event mascot, Boule de Neige and his 60 strong band of cuddly friends meandering through the site bringing smiles to the children’s faces has a lot to do with the unique and distinctive nature of these festivities. Since 1994, this 6-day Bash has welcomed on average 150,000 visitors each year despite the unpredictable nature of our winter weather.

Now, over 25 years later, event organizers are going strong and remain eager to make each edition of the Fête des Neiges de Montréal, the foremost outdoor winter event for all visitors. Each year, the Fête des Neiges de Montréal celebrates the very essence of winter in the heart of the City.

Boule de Neige remains a child at heart!

Updated: September 24, 2007.

© 2004-2008, Société du parc Jean-Drapeau. All rights reserved.