Cheering in 2010 from Times Square? Fuggedaboutit! Canada’s got plenty of family-friendly, outdoor parties to ring in the new year this December 31:

	HALIFAX “A” New Year’s Eve Show 10…9…8… Countdown with free concerts, fireworks, TV personalities and a huge crowd, starting at 10pm on the Grand Parade.
	MONTRÉAL New Year’s Eve Grand Bal Join over 40,000 revellers at Place Jacques Cartier for fireworks, music and dancing through the cobblestoned streets.
	TORONTO 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Family Countdown Get your party animal on at the Toronto Zoo! Snag tickets for the whole family to enjoy furry friends, free concerts and a Kids Countdown. From 6pm to 9pm.
	NIAGARA FALLS New Year’s Eve in Queen Victoria Park Billed as Canada’s largest free outdoor extravaganza, this year delivers a double-bill of STYX & Glass Tiger, plus fireworks at 9pm and midnight.
	EDMONTON New Year’s Eve Downtown Skating, concerts and dancing outside. Clowns, crafts and more kiddie fun inside. All capped by a fireworks show at midnight.
	VANCOUVER Polar Bear Swim Get your new year off to a great start by plunging into the icy waters of English Bay on January 1. An annual tradition since 1920.

 Happy new Year 2010!

Remember our boy, Benoît Huot? Well he’s just scored four medals at the Para Swimming World Short Course Championships in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil! Check out our latest interview below:

Q: What significance did the Rio competition hold?
A: This competition was very important, since it was the first world championship following the Beijing Games. It gave us the chance to measure ourselves against other international champions.

Q: How did it go for you?
A: Very well. I was very satisfied with my results. The six races I competed in gave me four silver medals, plus I broke six personal and Canadian records. I also took fourth place in my two other races.

Q: In general, how would you sum up the last year?
A: I had a very good season, both in training and competition. I swam very fast throughout the summer, most notably at the Can-Am Championships in Edmonton, allowing me to represent Canada at the World Championships.

Q: What are the next competitions that you’ll be aiming at in Canada or internationally? Is there one competition in particular we should look for?
A: The next big meet for para swimmers is the 50m World Championship in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, this August 2010. There’s also the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October 2010.

Q: What are your goals for the next year?
A: They’re mainly physical fitness goals. I’m going to try and increase my muscle mass and gain strength, to increase my power in the pool. I’m of course also hoping to qualify for Eindhoven and best my personal times.

Can’t wait to see how many more seconds Benoît’s going to shave off! Know that VIA Rail is thrilled to continue sponsoring such a phenomenal athlete in the new year.

Our contest All I want for Christmas was a huge success! And the winner is…

John Daniel Firth of Mississauga, Ontario!

John Daniel wins $200 in VIA Rail travel.

Thanks to all for sharing your wish list – May all your dreams come true. Happy Holidays!

Holidays got you feeling a little penny-pinched? Bundle up the family and head outside to try these fun and low-budget winter activities:

1. Slip on skates at an outdoor rink
2. Stack snow boulders into any icy fort
3. Stake out sides for a snowball fight
4. Stick a carrot nose into a snowman
5. Sweep out a heavenly host of snow angels
6. Soar over jumps on a sledding hill
7. Seek out animal tracks on a nature walk
8. Snowshoe favourite hiking trails
9. Scatter birdseed and birdwatch
10. Sip hot cocoa with marshmallows on an outdoor picnic

And remember, there’s always that parenting classic – send the kids out to shovel snow!

At long last, the news you’ve been waiting for! We were totally overwhelmed by the response to our little Facebook contest – you were enthusiastic in your response and your photos were dynamite. The selection and confirmation process is now over and we’re proud to reveal the names of our winners:
        
Grand prize of a $3,000 VIA Rail travel credit:
• Congratulations to Sara Tong

Second prize of two Canrailpasses:
• Kailey Elaschuk

Third prize of a digital camera:
• Seattle Dredge

Special jury prize of a $100 VIA Rail travel credit:
• Cairenn Russelo
• Andrew Kaszowski
• Mathieu Leblanc
• Kevin Schneider
• Royal Nasager
• Jean-Francois Poulin
• Amanda Large
• Jean-Francois Dumont
• Leonid Sirota

Congratulations to our winners and a big thanks to everyone who entered!

The December-January online issue of VIA destinations is here! I loved:

1. The cover pic of Kent Nagano – the man has great hair! Sit down with the maestro  and discover how he’s transformed the MSO… and charmed the rest of Canada.
2. A Vancouver countdown – to the Olympic Winter Games! Find an insider guide  to the delights of Vancouver, Richmond, Whistler and Victoria… including the best party spots.
3. 3. Environmental activism – with polar seas explorer Jean Lemire! Enjoy a chat  with this biologist and filmmaker as his latest book launches… Le Dernier Continent.

Happy reading!

 
Forget hibernating at home – head to Jasper! Deep in the Alberta Rockies, this area offers views, wilderness and enough winter fun to tempt anyone into the cold. I know my dream Jasper weekend includes:

  
So get set to board a train, burn off some calories and enjoy that fireplace lounge even more!

Forever true to their reputation for joie de vivre, the people of Quebec certainly know how to celebrate the holidays. If you’re a Christmas-a-holic, here are five Christmas markets that are sure to fill you with even more good cheer all through the month of December.

Sorry – all the websites are in French, but I wanted to make sure you got the right addresses. Jingle, jingle, jingle!

If every holiday season you’re dropping hints , circling catalogs and scattering wish lists… and still wind up with a toaster, Vivian’s coming to your rescue! Enter my “All I want for Christmas…” contest:

1. Leave a comment on this post describing that special gift you’re hoping to see under the tree.
2. Share your wish list before December 21, 2009.
3. Be automatically entered to win a $200 VIA Rail travel credit.

The winner will be announced December 22, 2009. Help those clueless gift givers out!