Snow Castle Challenge 2023 encourages all to get outside and enjoy the winter

Sophie Demers

Loisir Sport Outaouais announced the return of the Snow Castle Challenge “Défi château de Neige” and invited the public to enjoy the Quebec winter by building a snow castle. The challenge, established in 2011, is free and open to everyone and aims to encourage people to get outside and be active during the winter.

“This is truly a great opportunity to spend time with family or friends and express your creativity!  In 2022, nearly 110 snow castles were registered in the region by families, schools, early childhood centres or agencies,” said Frédérique Delisle, Executive Director of Loisir Sport Outaouais.

To participate, individuals or groups must build a snow castle in the place of their choosing and take a photo and share it on the event website at www.defichateaudeneige.ca. The photo must be submitted between January 9 and March 13. Prizes will be given at random but provincially and regionally to those who registered and uploaded a photo of their castle.

There are various categories for participants, for organizations, schools, groups, and young children. Some municipalities, community organizations, schools, Centre de Petites Enfance (CPE) will be participating by offering their own prizes or by adding the Snow Castle Challenge into programming for their citizens’ or students' activities.

Participants have the chance to win prizes, such as gift bags from Tourism Outaouais, or a pair of passes for Plaisance National Park offered by SÉPAQ. Le Parc Régional du Poisson Blanc is providing a gift voucher worth $100, applicable on the products of the shop or for reservation of one of their micro shelters. Finally, Carpe Diem Aventures has also provided a potential prize for three families which includes a two-night stay for a maximum six people in a micro chalet.

This Snow Castle Challenge edition is presented by Carpe Diem Aventures, an outdoor activity company in Gracefield. They offer kayak, paddleboard, canoe, and bicycle rentals. Desjardin is also a partner for the event.

For more information, those interested in participating can find out more or register through the events website https://defichateaudeneige.ca/region/outaouais