Hundreds braved the cold SATURDAY, how downtown Montreal was transformed snow park urban for tough competition.
“It’s not that cold, you can take advantage of it if you dress well,” says Marni Salerno, a young athlete who came to watch the ski competition that took place this afternoon.
Marianne Langlois / JdeM
From left to right, Juliette Dallaire, Juliette Patrurel and Marie-Ève Lagacé proudly represent the jewelery company Fervido, whose stand will be on Saint-Denis street throughout the weekend.
Freestyle ski enthusiasts as well as small families stormed the rue Saint-Denis, which was closed to traffic for the occasion, to attend the event, where impressive installations including a ramp and a long snow run were set up.
“My spouse had the idea to go today, everyone is having fun, it’s very cool,” comments François Labelle, who came with his spouse and two of their three children to enjoy the event.
Despite all the action on site, it was undoubtedly the dizzying snow run set up for the occasion that most caught the attention of the audience.
“We live just around the corner from Saint-Denis, so this week we saw how they built the track, it was impressive and we wanted to come and see it,” notes Nicolas Lavaine, a young Frenchman who is familiar with his four came to enjoy the activity friends.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
For all tastes
In addition to the ski competitions, a rest area, a climbing wall and numerous kiosks with various local items such as tuques, candles and jewelry are used on site throughout the weekend.
If the cold didn’t bother the crowds that gathered there that afternoon, the exhibitors, who have been there since 9:00 am, have to redouble their efforts to motivate themselves.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
“We make bespoke jewelry and in the cold it can take me up to six times longer to make a pair of earrings,” explains Juliette Paturel, owner of Fervido, a personalized jewelry store.
For those used to “pop-up” events in the summer, exhibiting in the winter presents some challenges. The young entrepreneur has to cope with wind, cold and even snow.
“There’s snow on some of our jewelry, but it doesn’t matter that people have proof that they’re waterproof,” jokes the one who’s delighted when she sees people daring to take off their mittens to go around trying on their rings and bracelets .
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
To ensure the comfort of the local people, several amenities such as a heated terrace and hot chocolate counters were installed. The urban APIK event runs until March 5th and promises thrills for young and old.