During the winters, there are places in the world that celebrate ice and snow festivals which are a real treat to the eyes. Big ice sculptures, ice-lantern exhibitions and alpine skiing are some of the highlights of this cool festival. Book your
flight tickets to either China, Japan, Canada or Norway and experience winter delights like never before.
1. China’s Harbin Ice Festival
In China, the Harbin Ice Festival is celebrated in January and February. Every year a theme is agreed upon and the city of Harbin witnesses snow activities. It is the world’s largest ice festival with participants from across the globe. In the Sun Island, huge ice sculptures are exhibited and the Ice and Snow World in the night is illuminated with buildings erected from thick ice blocks. Winter-swimming in the Songhua River, Yabuli alpine skiing and ice-lantern exhibition in Zhaolin Garden are the popular activities carried out during this festival.
2. Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
The Sapporo Snow Festival is celebrated with pomp and show in the city of Sapporo. Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome are packed with enthusiasts during the seven-day festivities. People from all over the world travel to Sapporo to participate in the international snow sculpture contests and experience musical performances and snow and ice slides.
3. Quebec City Winter Carnival, Canada
Snow celebrations begin in the Quebec City from end of January till mid of February. The popular attraction is the day-time and night-time parades led by mascot Bonhomme Carnaval. In a traditional red hat and arrow sash, this mascot dances and entertains the crowd with his unique movements. Outdoor sport events like snowboarding, dog-sledding and ice canoeing are Quebec’s major crowd-pullers.
4. Holmenkollen Ski Festival, Norway
In Norway, the Holmenkollen Ski Festival is celebrated in March. This annual skiing event has been in practice since 1892. It is organised by Skiforeningen, an organisation which promotes Nordic skiing and other outdoor recreational activities. Popularly known as Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic, this event is held at Holmenkollen National Arena, Oslo.
Author : Vijaylaxmi Thakur
