Quebec Winter Carnival closes Palais de Bonhomme due to warm weather

Bonhomme Carnaval raises his leg and celebrates at the annual Quebec Winter Carnival snow bath, Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

The unseasonably warm weather has claimed another victim in Quebec's winter events and festivities calander.

The Carnaval de Quebec's Palais de Bonhomme was closed prematurely on Sunday for safety reasons and will only be viewable from outside of the structure.

"Our experts recommend that we close the access to the Palais de Bonhomme for this final day of carnival," the Carnaval de Quebec posted on its Facebook page.

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In honour of the Carnival's 70th anniversary this year, officials built a nine-room ice palace named for the event's famous mascot that, for the first time, included a second storey.

The Carnaval added that the rest of the Loto-Quebec area will be open free of charge. 

The closure is the latest in a series of events and outdoor activities that have closed due to the unseasonably warm temperatures. Mont-Castor in Matane, Que. closed its slopes on Saturday as it does not have snow canons to add to its base of snow.

It's not the first time comparatively balmy temperatures have caused problems for this year's Carnival organizers.

The ice dome at the event's sculpture garden also had to be closed on Thursday due to safety concerns as temperatures lingered above the freezing mark.

 

With files from The Canadian Press.