We’ve long been in awe of Québec City’s ice hotel and this year, we’ll happily skip the drive up the 20 and hop on the metro instead. We’ll bundle up in our puffiest parka and step off at Parc Jean Drapeau station to be transported to the winter wonderland, a.k.a. The Snow Village.

Some of us will spend hours exploring the beautiful snow and ice complex (it’s actually a replica of Montreal), while the more adventurous of us will check into the Ice Hotel (from $195 per person) for a once in a lifetime experience.

Also on-site are the Pommery Ice Restaurant, spearheaded by Chef Éric Gonzalez ($16 for a 2-course lunch menu), and the Amarula Ice Bar.

Time to put those Arctic Exploration puffers to good use. —Christine Laroche

Until March 31st. 130 ch. Tour-de-l’Isle, Parc Jean Drapeau, Montreal, 1-855-788-2181, www.snowvillagecanada.com

We calculated the time needed to work, sleep, exercise, eat, tidy, shop and socialize, and realized that we’re going to need an extra day per week to make it all work.  

Since we can’t bend time, despite our best efforts, we’re going to subcontract some of the duller items on our to-do list to the task runners at Taskhire.ca. We posted prices for our most boring errands, like grocery shopping and driveway shovelling, and waited for Task Runners to apply for the job. Then we did what we do best: delegate.

Now to find someone who can bend time for us.

www.taskhire.ca

We’re tired of our boyfriend hogging the couch to play video games. What’s more, his thumbs are getting fitter, while the rest of his body is starting to meld into the sofa.

We’re confiscating the console to play the new controller- free Kinect for Xbox 360, which uses your own movements to (wo)man the controls. After the Kinect Sensor scanned our body, we ran, jumped, and twisted until our muscles ached. We’re most excited to get our hands on Dance Central and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved to get our bodies in tip top shape (games start at $49.99).

We’ll have that couch potato mashed in no time.

At Future Shop. Kinect sensor with Kinect Adventures ($149.99), Xbox not included. Bundles with Xbox 360 start at $299.99. www.xbox.com

Looking for something to cross off the bucket list?

The skies above Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu are awash in color this week for the 27th International Balloon Festival. The largest in Canada, 115 hot-air balloons from Quebec, the U.S., France and Brazil will fly above the Haut-Richlieu. Catch a one-hour 6 a.m. flight or take an evening ride before catching live shows by Les Cowboys Fringants (9 p.m., August 20) and Akon (9 p.m., August 21).

Are we scared of heights? That’s just a load of hot air.

Now cue Nena.


Until August 22, flights from $160, reserve at 450-347-9555, www.ballooncanada.com

Whether we’re treading the mill or pumping some iron, we refuse to look like a mess.

We’ve discovered a perfect fit in Canadian-made Dedicated Clothing. This flattering line of work-out wear uses nylon-spandex blends that don’t call attention to our “problem areas.”  We’re burning calories in the booty-friendly shorts ($40) and spaghetti strap racer tanks ($44)—no sports bra required—in happy fabrics like green pea, canary yellow and brick red that won’t fade, shrink or pill .

We’ll dedicate ourselves to that.

At Boutique Romy Elliot, 292 Principale, Saint-Sauveur, 450-227-2421, www.boutiqueromyelliot.com and Brome Lake Fitness, 328 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton, 450-243-6246.

On this Bastille Day, we’re doing like all French citizens during the summer months: nous allons nous reposer.

Today we’ll be storming the beach at Cap St. Jacques for some sun and sand, à la francaise. Here you’ll find us idling on our Splash Pas de sable eco-towel ($45), listening to Phoenix’s latest oeuvre ($10) and writing cliché poetry in our Metro + Bus Paris notebook.

While the breezes may be more river than Riviera, it’s as close to Cannes as we’re going to get.

Cap Saint-Jacques Beach, 20099 Gouin Blvd W., Pierrefonds, 514-280-6871.

Papeterie Nota Bene, 3416 Parc Ave., 514-485-6587, www.nota-bene.ca

Not only has the mother of two been traipsing around premiers in ultra minis and sky-high shoes, but Gwyneth Paltrow has also found time to launch her own website, GOOP.

Billed as a “collection of experiences,” Gwyneth spills on her favorite tuna sandwhich recipe, best jeans (Grey Ant), and London hot spots. From philosophy (Deepak Chopra) to Philosophy (beauty products) it's like walking a mile in Gwyneth's lace-up booties as she dishes tips on how to find a little black dress, or whip up a perfect batch of buckwheat pancakes.

But nowhere does it mention how to survive on sashimi or if she really is the one in the house who gets to clean up the goop….

www.goop.com

If the word ‘psychic’ invokes images of JoJo Savard and 1-900 numbers then you haven’t met Julie Cusmariu.

This certified life coach, psychic expert and Six Sensory Practitioner helps people get inspired by getting in touch with their intuitive side. With professional clients all over the world, sessions can take place by phone or in person.

While Cusmariu won’t predict the future, she will “empower people to do what’s in their heart.” Our own 45-minute session started with some deep breathing exercises followed by a soothing discussion about our stuck-in-a-rut conundrums. Did she read our mind? Not exactly, but we emerged mellow, clear-headed and ready to tackle the world.

Sessions range from $75-$200, 514-849-5761,www.juliecusmariu.com

Between the deadlines, the nacho diet and the sleepless nights, your body is feeling older than its time.

Rebalance your energy, your body and your mind with a made-to-measure Plenitude de L’Instant treatment from L’Institut Montréalais Anti-Âge ($195). During your visit, the esthetician applies a batch of phytoplankton-infused clay based exactly on the hour of your birth and the hour of your appointment. The treatment is then followed by a massage and drainage technique that eliminates toxins throughout the body.

If that weren’t enough, you’re then invited to slip into the oversized tub while the entire procedure is repeated on your face.

With this much attention, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered the fountain of youth.

L’Institut Montréalais Anti-Âge, 100-645 Wellington, 514-868-1117, www.institutlimaa.com

You’ve seen Bee Movie so many time you can recite it by heart (“He better not marry a W.A.S.P.!”).

Time to subject your kids to the cinematic obsessions of your own youth.

Fresh Air Cinema inflates a massive screen in parks across Western Canada and is coming to Vancouver this weekend.

Lay out your lawn chairs in Yaletown’s David Lamb Park on Sunday night at dusk for the free screening of E.T. (don’t forget the Reese’s Pieces!).

“E.T. phone home!” You said it not us.

For schedules across Western Canada, click here.