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Day 4 WINTER WONDERLAND Winnipeg rocks in winter when hearty locals embrace the cold by building events and locales as adventurous, inviting and warm as our year-round hospitality. Start off at The Forks Market with a warm beverage and some fresh baked goodies (made from local grains) at Tall Grass Prairie, then rent yourself some skates in the atrium. At 6.5 km to sometimes over 9 km, the Red River Mutual Trail has been pegged in the past as being the world's longest skating rink by Guinness. But size doesn't really matter, it's how you use it (as the old saying goes). Here in Winnipeg, we take our river trail seriously — seriously fun that is. All along the trail you will find some of the most wondrous winter structures one could imagine as architects and designers from across the globe compete to have their "warming huts" placed along the frozen river. These funky and functional designs often receive international attention for their beauty and ingenuity, and are one of the many examples of how architecture and the arts are all-encompassing in the Peg. Also of international note on the frozen river is the Raw: almond pop-up restaurant where chef Mandel Hitzer (of Deer+Almond), and other local and celebrated chefs serve astonishing set menu dinners in a whimsical, candescent temporary structure built right on the river. This year's Raw: almond will run from January 22 to February 11. Tickets go fast so inquire at Deer+Almond early for availability of this only-in-Winnipeg dining experience. The Forks is also home to the Arctic Glacier Winter Park featuring a snowboard park full of rails, tabletops, and jumps, while there is also a toboggan hill, the Great- West Life Snow Lounge (featuring furniture made out of, you guessed it, snow!), a well-maintained Olympic-Sized skating rink perfect for pick-up games, along with outdoor curling sheets for those looking to "hurry hard" and put one on the button. To make it all pretty the whole area is lit up with festive lights, producing a brilliant glow. In February, St. Boniface's Fort Gibraltar is the place to be for Festival du Voyageur, one of the world's best winter festivals (February 13-22). You will be blown away by the massive snow sculptures that take over the city (which are carved by local and international artists), while the actual festival pulsates with good times. Bring the kids to chow down on maple syrup on snow or a beaver tail pastry. Take them to family-friendly musical performances all day in the many massive tents (which are fully licensed too), and show them all the Franco-Manitoban characters that make this such a colourful event. At night, the main tent plays host to some incredible live performances and parties that you will not want to miss. Downtown is also a hotbed for indoor arts and culture events over the winter when one can relish in the beauty and majesty of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Opera and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Take in a play from one of our many theatre sites, including the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Prairie Theatre Exchange. As well, NHL action at the MTS Centre with our Winnipeg Jets is always a hot ticket. If you are looking to get some indulgent treatments out of the cold, there is the world-class Ten Spa at the top of The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, or Thermëa, the Scandinavian-inspired spa in the forests of Fort Garry where between treatments you can relax in thermal pools as the snow gently falls on the surrounding tree tops. Warming huts on the Red River Mutual Trail: The Forks North Portage Partnership Winnipeg Jets: Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club Festival du Voyageur: Dan Harper www.tourismwinnipeg.com 15 WELCOME TO WINNIPEG WINNIPEG IN FOUR DAYS