By Merrie L. Murray

Every year in early February Québec City hosts a spectacular Winter Carnival. The Carnival tempts visitors with a whirl of winter sport activities including canoe races and dog sledding, snow sculpture competitions, lively entertainment and night parades.

Winter Haven
More than 65,000 tourists flock to Québec's Winter Carnival each year. Travelers from the United States continue to enjoy a favorable exchange rate and there is no worry about personal safety. Although more than 95 percent of the city's half million people speak French, English is widely spoken, especially in the hotels and shops.

Bon Carnival
For the past few years, fair organizers have continued to emphasize family fun. Residents and shopkeepers alike keep their holiday lights burning through Carnival to welcome visitors to their city. Carnival sites are close together so it's easy to get around.

Colorfully clad kids line the snowbanks to get a better view of the dog sled teams that race through town on a special run.

At Bonhomme's massive ice palace, central gathering place for music and entertainment at Carnival each year, flashes of light and color dance through more than 8,000 blocks of frozen water. Children know Bonhomme is near when they see Carnival "knuks" or elves prancing about.

The Plains of Abraham
The Plains of Abraham becomes an open air sports arena during Carnival filled with dozens of winter activities . Adults become kids again as they speed down a hill on oversized tubes, scale a mountain of ice, and ride horse drawn sleighs high above the St. Lawrence River. Kellogg's Kid Zone keeps small children happy with games and entertainment.

Flanking the entrance to the Plains of Abraham, 20 bales of compressed snow await the creative vision of artists competing in the International Snow Sculpture Competition.

During the "Night of the Long Knives," midnight strollers can watch as they apply finishing touches before judging early the next morning. Carnival goers decide the winners.

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