The Montréal Canadiens are ice hockey's most storied team - they hold the NHL record for most Stanley Cup wins, have the NHL's largest arena (the Bell Centre, right in the middle of town) and some of its most passionate fans - especially fervent because of their famous team's unique status as the only Francophone hockey club in the otherwise Anglophone league. The Canadiens haven't won the lot for a while now, but the franchise's size and support base still means every home game is a sell-out and an occasion in and of itself.

Going to see a game offers a glimpse into a genuine Montréal and Canadian obsession. The streets around the Bell Centre fill with families dressed in Habs' (the team nickname) gear and thousands more Québecois tune into the games in sports bars and restaurants. It's also exciting - games are fast-moving and often full of incidental violence, which gets the crowd going just as much as goals and great saves.

As you'd expect from North American sports, it's a fairly family-oriented affair. Don't expect a UK football-style "atmosphere" and do anticipate lots of national anthems, audience participation and glitzy advertising on the big screens and scrolling hoardings that ring the rink.

Games against old rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins are especially tense.

The length of the hockey season and the sheer number and frequency of games means finding a game while you're in town and getting a ticket or several shouldn't be too difficult, despite the team's popularity.

Those who like to organise things in advance can check the schedule and buy tickets online at the Canadiens website: www.canadiens.com/eng/index.cfm
Alternatively, ticket agencies and posh hotels in Montréal itself can almost always help you out closer to game-time.

The Bell Centre has its own website, with details of its location and amenities: www.centrebell.ca/eng/arena/index.cfm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

As temperatures plummet in winter, the municipality sets up ice-hockey rinks throughout Montreal. Usually open from late December through to early March (frost permitting), these outdoor rinks are a great way for the uninitiated to partake in Canada's big passion: ice hockey. Parc Lafontaine has facilities for skate hire, an ice hockey rink, and a big lake if you just want to have a peaceful skate.

Parc Lafontaine is bounded by Rue Sherbrooke to the south and Rue Papineu to the east;
Transport: Nearest metro is Sherbrooke, otherwise take any bus going east from the city centre along Rue Sherbrooke.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Throughout the summer months pick-up games of beach volleyball are ongoing at the bottom of Parc Jeanne Mance. You can come alone and join a game, or show up with a group of friends. Games only cost a couple of dollars. It's very friendly, usually sun-drenched, and a great place for people watching to boot!

Parc Jeanne Mance is alongside Avenue Parc, just on the opposite side of the Mountain (Mont Royal). The Volleyball courts are set up at the southern end of the park

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends