Living through Montreal winters can be a difficult experience, especially for someone who did not grow up with so much snow. Fortunately, there are a number of festivals and activities that help us through the winter. Here is a list of some of what is going on in the area:

Winter weekends at Jean-Drapeau Park
Montreal’s huge outdoor winter festival, La Fête des Neiges at Jean-Drapeau Park, ends February 1 but the organizers are extending the fun on weekends from February 7 until March 8. Families can try out their snowboarding skills at a new snow park, called Zone 514 (cost is $12). There will also be tube sliding, skating, boot hockey and equipment rental for those who want to try snowshoeing and sledding. Other events include a cycling race on ice, a half-marathon and a swim in the icy waters off Île Ste Hélène. For more information, call (514) 872-6120 or go to www.parcjeandrapeau.com.

Family fun in Laval
A quick drive to Laval will land you at the fifth annual Ste. Rose en Blanc festival that runs from February 2 to 17. Kids can kick up their heels to rollicking live folk music, hop onto a dog sled or take a pony-led sleigh ride. The free indoor and outdoor weekend activities highlight the heritage of the Vieux Ste. Rose area. So you can take a guided tour of the district, try your hand at ice fishing on the Mille Îles River or stick around for a fireworks show in the evenings.
There are plenty of kid-friendly activities including puppet-making workshops in the afternoon for kids 7 to 12, sleigh rides, treasure hunts, dance workshops and evening pyjama parties for 5- to 9-year-olds. However, you must register in advance. If you decide at the last minute to visit the festival, you’ll still find ice fishing, historical theatre productions, sledding and storytelling at the festival’s Amerindian tent.

The festival takes place primarily at the de la Rivière des Mille Îles Park (with some activities held elsewhere in Ste. Rose). For more information, call (450) 978-8905 or go to www.info.ville.laval.qc.ca (click on the Activity Calendar).

Fire and Ice Festival in Repentigny
Families can add some sparkle to their evenings during a special fireworks show along with a host of outdoor activities at the 9th annual Fire and Ice Festival at the Île Lebel Park, 396 Notre Dame St., in Repentigny from February 14-15 and 21-22. (Activities will be held for schools and daycares during the week.) The evening fireworks take place on February 14 at 8:30 p.m. with bands to entertain the crowds. In addition, there will be a giant ice castle and maze with guides on hand to lead activities and games for children. There will be a maple taffy pull during the day as well as sleigh rides ($2), tubing ($5) and or a ride on a dog sled ($6). For more information, call (450) 918-1194 or go to www.feuetglace.com.

Winter fun in the Eastern Townships
The Eastern Townships have a special charm when the snow covers the fields, farms and small towns. If you want to explore this region and enjoy a variety of winter activities, check out the Fête des Neiges in the town of Magog from Feb. 13 to 15. Families can enjoy tubing, pedal carts, inflatable bouncers as well as marshmallow roasts and a sugaring off. If you make reservations in advance, you can also participate in a night snowshoeing tour by torchlight. For more information, call (800) 267-2744 or go to www.tourisme-memphremagog.com.

Various daylong winter festivals
Cote St. Luc
On February 8 from noon to 4 p.m., Cote. St. Luc is hosting a free carnival at the Samuel Moskovitch Arena (6985 Mackle Rd.) and at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Park. The event includes a pancake breakfast, taffy on snow, horse carriage rides and more.

D.D.O.
On February 15, D.D.O. is hosting its version of a winter carnival at Centennial Park (2938 Lake Rd.) from noon to 4 p.m. There will be horse drawn wagon rides, taffy on snow, games, ice sculpting, music and more.

Beaconsfield
On February 22, Beaconsfield hosts its Winterfest at Centennial Park (288 Beaconsfield Blvd.) from noon to 4 p.m. There will be performances by the McGill Lumberjack Team, traditional Quebecois dance, snowshoeing, skiing, a people-powered sled race and more