No 2: Hot times in chilly Montreal

We continue our series of the top 20 destinations of readers. By D. MURRAY-WILLIAMSON


The best time to fly into Montreal is early evening on a winter's night. Only then can you fully appreciate French Canada's obsession with hockey.

As you come closer, you can see the hundreds of ice rinks under bright lights, with little figures barrelling up and down the rink, chasing an indiscernible black rubber disc.

This is hockey Mecca, home of the Montreal Canadiens, one of the oldest and most celebrated team in North America's National Hockey League.

Hockey rules this island city. Notorious for its arctic winters, Montreal has more snow in winter than any other metropolis on the planet and spends more than $60 million a season to get rid of it.

But a little white stuff isn't going to stop this place. Just the opposite - out come not only the skates but the toboggans and skis, the snowmobile and the fishing shacks. Yes, you read it right - the lakes may be frozen but that doesn't stop the fish from biting. Just drill a hole and away you go.

If the cold gets you down, go subterranean into 30km of Underground City, a labyrinth of malls, eateries and specialty shops. Or warm up big time at the Biodome rainforest.

Ride the Metro and choose from one of the city's 5000 restaurants and 19 major museums. And in a city more than 350 years old, be sure to check out its many historical buildings.

As for me, there's nothing quite like a game on ice. I just want grab a stick, don the skates and follow that puck.


Centrebell

Tourism Montreal


Getting there

Three nights accommodation in Montreal, return airport transfers and daily continental breakfast start from $204 a person twin share. Return airfares Auckland to Montreal start from $2639 a person. Available for travel between March 1 and March 31. Contact Flight Centre on 0800 243544 to book.

Getting around

Societe de transport de Montreal offers passes valid for one, three or seven days, allowing unlimited access to its bus and metro network.

What to see and do

Experience Montreal as never before, aboard Le Bateau-Mouche. Charting a course inaccessible to conventional watercraft, this elegant Parisian riverboat offers breathtaking views of Montreal and its skyline from a unique vantage point. Sign up for a guided tour, or make reservations for dinner on the river.

Watch the Montreal Canadiens in an ice-hockey match at the Centre Bell, the team's official home.

Or get on the ice yourself at the indoor skating rink at Le 1000 de La Gauchetiere office building. Skaters are welcome all year round and skates are available for hire.

* Read the winning competition entry and find out who has won the Flight Centre $3000 travel voucher in tomorrow's Travel section.