Although it has not disappeared, the famous Dufferin Terrace slide has to face a new reality today, as it is increasingly affected by climate change over the years.
“This is my tenth season as an owner and we see a big difference year over year. Winter conditions can fluctuate a lot, but we find ways to adapt,” says Marc Duchesne, owner of Au 1884.
“Yes, this is a worrying new reality, but we are actively looking for more promising solutions for the future, with concern for the environment,” he said. Newspaper Saturday, on the occasion of the Great Winter Festival.
Owner Marc Duchesne of Au 1884 | Credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
The latter explains that the weather is already not easy this year and that the slide will “undoubtedly” be closed on Monday due to bad weather.
However, he is not worried about the holiday season: according to him, the slide is really open during this period.
Possible solutions
“Fortunately, so far we have been able to minimize the impacts. We have significantly modified the sleds so that they are more efficient regardless of the conditions,” underlined Marc Duchesne.
He also notes that previously, sleds could only slide on white snow. The changes that have just been made allow it to run in a mixture of snow and ice.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“All we need is minimal snow, subzero temperatures and one or two nights of -10 or colder so we can water the slide.”
“We also have to remember that all these are done the old fashioned way. We don’t have any machinery except hand tools and hand oil, but we have developed our expertise and we have found solutions,” said Mr. with a laugh.
Still popular
With around 100,000 sliders each winter, sliding’s reputation is well established. On the 9th Saturday too, there was a huge crowd of visitorse The Great Winter Festival marks the official start of the slide.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Many of them took advantage of the free activities, while a variety of entertainment was provided by period characters, especially stories and legends around the fire and other activities for more play.
“The slide is a classic and has been part of the decor for a long time. A profit at the level of the local population, because most of the customers are tourists from the four corners of the planet, but that’s why we organize the big winter festival. , Marc Duchesne concluded.
