Opti-Neige

Opti-Neige is a snow sculpture contest initiated and sponsored by Club Optimiste de Matane. Throughout the years, this activity has become a main event in Matane and one of the most important activities in Quebec considering its quality and the number of snow sculptures. Winner of the prize “event of the year” in 2005, 2006 and 2008 during Galas de l'excellence de la chambre de commerce région de Matane, Opti-Neige is a huge winter festival which has gained respectability and aroused much interest from a growing number of festival-goers. More than 20,000 persons take part in the different free activities: shows for the whole family, inflatable games, sugar shack, sleigh ride, snow bath and a magnificent firework in Baie des Capitaines on Rivière Matane. Opti-Neige reaches a crowd coming from the region (Bas-St-Laurent, Vallée de la Matapédia, Gaspésie and Haute-Gaspésie), the province and northern New-Brunswick. Each year, about thirty teams of sculptors take part in the festival and renowned sculptors have testified that Opti-Neige has no cause to be envious from other contest since it distinguishes itself with the quality of the sculptures and the beauty of the site. On February 17, 18 and 19, 2012, Opti-Neige will be presenting its 20th edition.