How Lévis transformed its ice trail into an immersive winter attraction
Photo credit: Viviane Hervieux
A luminous response to the challenge of winter animation
During winter, many cities struggle to attract visitors and enliven their public spaces. Yet some see the cold season as a unique opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
Such is the case of Lévis, which since 2022 has been transforming the Quai Paquet into a winter destination with its refrigerated ice trail. With nearly 100,000 visitors in previous editions, the city wanted to enhance the experience in 2024, build loyalty among regulars and attract new audiences.
To achieve this, the city commissioned Leblanc Illuminations-Canada to design an immersive lighting concept. Challenge accepted and met.
Background and objectives
Since winter 2022, the Quai Paquet in Lévis has been home to a refrigerated ice trail offering citizens a unique skating experience with a spectacular view of Quebec City. Previous editions have attracted nearly 100,000 visitors, confirming the site's status as an emblematic venue and a source of local pride.
To reinforce this appeal, the City of Lévis invested $750,000 in the development of the site. This project aimed to :
An original and immersive winter experience;
Position the Quai Paquet as a distinctive and dynamic site in relation to other trails in the region;
Optimize use of the site with new infrastructure and public spaces;
Create a flagship attraction capable of attracting new visitors and diversifying seasonal activities.
In the fall of 2024, the City commissioned Leblanc Illuminations-Canada to design and produce a creative and immersive concept for the Ice Trail. Despite a tight deadline, the team rose to the challenge, delivering a turnkey project: artistic design, scenography, illumination, installation, supervision and dismantling.
An immersive lighting concept by Leblanc Illuminations
Despite a tight deadline, the Leblanc Illuminations team delivered a turnkey project including artistic design, scenography, illumination, installation, supervision and dismantling.
The installations included :
Illumination of the service pavilion and skate hut
Spotlighting the little houses of local artisans
Decorating ten large natural Christmas trees
Installation of six animated 2D sets
Creation of a giant animated Christmas tree at the site entrance
Projection of luminous visuals on the ice using GOBOS projectors
Each element has been designed to withstand the rigors of winter while creating a warm, magical and Instagrammable atmosphere.
Budget and logistics
The overall budget for the project was $99,000 (before taxes). Leblanc Illuminations Canada provided :
Supply and delivery of all decorative elements;
Installation and dismantling of lighting structures;
Technical supervision to guarantee safety and quality on site.
Challenges and constraints
Several challenges had to be taken into account in carrying out the project:
Limited electrical capacity on site ;
Areas reserved for snow removal and winter maintenance constraints ;
Difficult and variable weather conditions;
Limited space for installation.
Results and spin-offs
The project helped reinforce Quai Paquet's image as a must-see winter destination. Thanks to innovative and immersive installations, the site offered skaters a memorable and magical experience, increasing both visitor numbers and satisfaction.
What's more, this project lays the foundations for future editions of the Ice Trail, with modular, scalable concepts that will ensure the event's longevity and influence for years to come.
Project gallery
Conclusion: A recipe for winter radiance
The Quai Paquet 2024 ice trail proves that it's possible to transform a public site into a winter destination, even with technical and budgetary constraints.
While winter is often seen as a hindrance, Lévis has chosen to turn it into a strength with creativity and rigor.
Looking to liven up a public space in winter? Get inspired by this approach.
At Leblanc Illuminations-Canada, we design sustainable, immersive, custom lighting experiences for cities, parks and seasonal events. Let's talk about your project.