Laval, Quebec will host 2018 Skate Canada International

[victorskid]

I thought Laval was a suburb of Quebec City but I think I am getting the university of Laval mixed up with the suburb!

Yup

 

[barbarafan]

I thought Laval was a suburb of Quebec City but I think I am getting the university of Laval mixed up with the suburb!

Probably...West Island (still on island of Mtl)where challenge is held and Autumm int'l has been held has same distance to Laval or Mtl. Laval is off island with teeny tiny bridges.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Probably...West Island (still on island of Mtl)where challenge is held and Autumm int'l has been held has same distance to Laval or Mtl. Laval is off island with teeny tiny bridges.

Laval and Montreal are two islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence river.

Laval refers to bishop Laval who was in charge of the Quebec City diocese (so why the university bears the name). The secretary of king Louis XIV gave the island to bishop Laval in exchange of the « ile d’Orleans » right beside Quebec city in the St. Lawrence.

That explains why we find the name LAVAL in two different cities.

 

[shuilee]

Any idea when Skate Canada competition will start on Friday? I'll likely need to drive 6-7 hrs to get to Laval, so I was wondering if it's feasible to drive on Friday morning and still get there. Hoping for a 2pm or later start time.

 

[pat c]

Any idea when Skate Canada competition will start on Friday? I'll likely need to drive 6-7 hrs to get to Laval, so I was wondering if it's feasible to drive on Friday morning and still get there. Hoping for a 2pm or later start time.

It usually starts about 1. Last year it was about that time, and I think it was ladies first. They always used to start with pairs, but they're switching it up a bit. They do all the sp's on Fri and the lp's on Sat.

 

[shutterbug]

Question for Montreal residents or frequent travelers to the city - how safe is the area around the Champs-de-Mars metro station? I had planned to stay in Laval and rent a car to go back and forth to the rink, but am now considering staying in Montreal to play tourist and taking the subway to Laval. The hotels I'm looking at are on or around Boulevard René-Lévesque E. Many thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[Catherine M]

Question for Montreal residents or frequent travelers to the city - how safe is the area around the Champs-de-Mars metro station? I had planned to stay in Laval and rent a car to go back and forth to the rink, but am now considering staying in Montreal to play tourist and taking the subway to Laval. The hotels I'm looking at are on or around Boulevard René-Lévesque E. Many thanks in advance for any feedback!

A couple of years ago I went to the Rogers Cup tennis event with a friend and our hotel was on that street and I never felt unsafe walking back late at night from the subway as there seemed lots of people around but then it was summer time and people tend to be out and about later so not sure if it will be the same for late October.

 

[mocha-ice]

Question for Montreal residents or frequent travelers to the city - how safe is the area around the Champs-de-Mars metro station? I had planned to stay in Laval and rent a car to go back and forth to the rink, but am now considering staying in Montreal to play tourist and taking the subway to Laval. The hotels I'm looking at are on or around Boulevard René-Lévesque E. Many thanks in advance for any feedback!

It's relatively safe as it's very close to downtown and the Old Port so it can be pretty busy with tourist and people.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Question for Montreal residents or frequent travelers to the city - how safe is the area around the Champs-de-Mars metro station? I had planned to stay in Laval and rent a car to go back and forth to the rink, but am now considering staying in Montreal to play tourist and taking the subway to Laval. The hotels I'm looking at are on or around Boulevard René-Lévesque E. Many thanks in advance for any feedback!

Montreal is pretty much a safe city everywhere. They are poorer neighborhoods than others, but still safe.

 

[nyrak]

Question for Montreal residents or frequent travelers to the city - how safe is the area around the Champs-de-Mars metro station? I had planned to stay in Laval and rent a car to go back and forth to the rink, but am now considering staying in Montreal to play tourist and taking the subway to Laval. The hotels I'm looking at are on or around Boulevard René-Lévesque E. Many thanks in advance for any feedback!

I stayed near Champ-de-Mars last time I was in Montreal, and will stay nearby this year too for a few days before SC starts. The area was just fine last time, and I'm sure it will be again.

 

[kates8]

Any idea when Skate Canada competition will start on Friday? I'll likely need to drive 6-7 hrs to get to Laval, so I was wondering if it's feasible to drive on Friday morning and still get there. Hoping for a 2pm or later start time.

These times are posted on their website- check in the Schedule tab https://skatecanada.ca/2018-skate-canada-international/

 

[Sally1214]

I posted this question in a new thread earlier tonight, but I guess this is the proper place to put it. So, here it is:

I got a notice a day or so ago that individual tickets are now on sale for Skate Canada. So, thought I'd better check my old email I received WAY back when I purchased my all-event tickets. When I click on the link in that old email, it says there is a "delay until fall" on the delivery of all tickets. Anyone have any idea how close to the event they usually go before letting you print off your tickets (or getting them by whatever delivery method you chose at the time of purchase)? We are getting down to only 6-7 weeks until the event starts. Shouldn't the tickets be available really soon?

 

[Japanfan]

When I click on the link in that old email, it says there is a "delay until fall" on the delivery of all tickets. Anyone have any idea how close to the event they usually go before letting you print off your tickets (or getting them by whatever delivery method you chose at the time of purchase)? We are getting down to only 6-7 weeks until the event starts. Shouldn't the tickets be available really soon?

I bought tickets for a JGP a few days ago and IIRC the delay is until October.

 

[skategal]

I posted this question in a new thread earlier tonight, but I guess this is the proper place to put it. So, here it is:

I got a notice a day or so ago that individual tickets are now on sale for Skate Canada. So, thought I'd better check my old email I received WAY back when I purchased my all-event tickets. When I click on the link in that old email, it says there is a "delay until fall" on the delivery of all tickets. Anyone have any idea how close to the event they usually go before letting you print off your tickets (or getting them by whatever delivery method you chose at the time of purchase)? We are getting down to only 6-7 weeks until the event starts. Shouldn't the tickets be available really soon?

I was just coming here to ask this question too.

I have no idea why it would be a delay with printing unless they are waiting until the hard tickets are mailed?

But it makes no sense.

 

[shutterbug]

I got a notice a day or so ago that individual tickets are now on sale for Skate Canada. So, thought I'd better check my old email I received WAY back when I purchased my all-event tickets. When I click on the link in that old email, it says there is a "delay until fall" on the delivery of all tickets. Anyone have any idea how close to the event they usually go before letting you print off your tickets (or getting them by whatever delivery method you chose at the time of purchase)? We are getting down to only 6-7 weeks until the event starts. Shouldn't the tickets be available really soon?

I chose the print at home option. Just checked my Ticketmaster account, and the tickets are now available for printing, so I imagine they should be mailed out soon (?).

 

[KatieC]

I just booked Via Rail to get to Montreal, and Air Canada to get home. Getting excited I haven't taken a train to Montreal since 1976!

 

[Sally1214]

I chose the print at home option. Just checked my Ticketmaster account, and the tickets are now available for printing, so I imagine they should be mailed out soon (?).

Thanks for the heads up re the printing option. I've just printed off my tickets. YAY! Getting excited!!

 

[Colonel Green]

My tickets arrived in the mail the other day, so it looks like they're starting to send them out.

 

[JamieElena]

I'm wondering where folks are staying? I'm debating between hotels closer to the arena, but also hotels by the airport, what google maps tells me is a 15 minute drive away...and about $350 cheaper. Of course google doesn't take in traffic into account...can any locals let me know if that 15 minutes is realistic coming from the airport to the arena?

I'm also looking at staying near the Champs-de-Mars metro station as mentioned above, but then found this on the Laval Place website about the metro:

Public transport
Montmorency Metro Station is next to Place Bell and Concorde Metro Station is just steps away.
Tickets purchased in Montreal are not valid for departure from Laval to Montreal due to different fare zones.
To take the metro to Montreal, you will need to obtain a ticket that you can buy at the Laval metro station of your choice.

Can any locals offer insight/advice please and thanks in advance.

 

[skategal]

I'm also looking at staying near the Champs-de-Mars metro station as mentioned above, but then found this on the Laval Place website about the metro:

Public transport
Montmorency Metro Station is next to Place Bell and Concorde Metro Station is just steps away.
Tickets purchased in Montreal are not valid for departure from Laval to Montreal due to different fare zones.
To take the metro to Montreal, you will need to obtain a ticket that you can buy at the Laval metro station of your choice.

Can any locals offer insight/advice please and thanks in advance.

I am booked at a hotel downtown and was planning to take the metro to and from Laval.

Thanks for the above info. I am assuming it means that I will need to buy two passes?

One to get me from Montreal to Laval and then another one from Laval to Montreal to get me back?

 

[Lara]

Thanks for the above info. I am assuming it means that I will need to buy two passes?

One to get me from Montreal to Laval and then another one from Laval to Montreal to get me back?

Yes. This mostly affects Montrealers who already have a monthly STM (transit system) pass or bulk tickets. If you’re buying tickets as you go I don’t think it’d make too big a difference.

I’d avoid driving if possible.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

I'm wondering where folks are staying? I'm debating between hotels closer to the arena, but also hotels by the airport, what google maps tells me is a 15 minute drive away...and about $350 cheaper. Of course google doesn't take in traffic into account...can any locals let me know if that 15 minutes is realistic coming from the airport to the arena?

I'm also looking at staying near the Champs-de-Mars metro station as mentioned above, but then found this on the Laval Place website about the metro:

Public transport
Montmorency Metro Station is next to Place Bell and Concorde Metro Station is just steps away.
Tickets purchased in Montreal are not valid for departure from Laval to Montreal due to different fare zones.
To take the metro to Montreal, you will need to obtain a ticket that you can buy at the Laval metro station of your choice.

Can any locals offer insight/advice please and thanks in advance.

As for driving it depends when you will commute. The traffic can be very dense by rush hours.
Tickets from Laval to Montreal will work the other way around. (That whole system of Montreal vs neighbourhoods is completely insane imho but eh!)

 

[skategal]

I’d avoid driving if possible.

Oh gosh, yes. I wouldn't even consider driving.

Thanks for the information.

I only need to buy tickets to go over and back x 2 days so I should be fine.

 

[JoannaLouise]

I'm staying here. I've never stayed at this hotel before so I can't vouch for quality, but the rate was good. I'm planning to take the metro to and from Laval, because I don't like driving in Montreal.

 

[mocha-ice]

It may be a 15 minute drive from the airport at 2am if you drive slightly faster than the speed limit. If you're trying to get there at afternoon rush hour (say from 2-7pm) it's more like 1h15min. With normal traffic 30-40mins give or take...

Yah the metro fares are weird with regards to Laval unfortunately... I think some fares are actually valid both in Montreal and Laval but Ive never taken the metro to/from Laval so I can't be 100% sure and the website is a bit confusing as well (not surprising!)

 

[levineismine]

I also suggest avoiding driving. I've never taken the metro from Laval, the normal fare is 3.25 CAD so maybe it will be a little more expensive for the return from Laval. The metro runs frequently and if you are staying somewhere close to the orange line, it's going to be really easy to get there.
In general, it depends what people are doing: if you are planning to be at place bell the whole time including practices and not do any sightseeing, then stay closer to the arena. If you are planning to see Montreal, then I suggest staying in an Airbnb on the Plateau, somewhere between the Jean Talon and the Sherbrooke stations. That's both close to the orange line (so it will take you less than 45 min to the arena), close to the old city and right in the middle of the "french" neighborhood with all the nice cafes and restaurants, graffitis and small cozy streets with trees to walk along.

 

[KatieC]

I just booked the Royal Versailles on Sherbrooke for the 22nd to 24th. Then we're staying at Comfort Inn Laval from Wednesday til Sunday. I decided to give myself a few days to wander. The first hotel doesn't look downtown, but it says its close to the Radisson subway station and Place Versailles Shopping Mall! Christmas is coming!

 

[Lara]

If you are planning to see Montreal, then I suggest staying in an Airbnb on the Plateau, somewhere between the Jean Talon and the Sherbrooke stations. That's both close to the orange line (so it will take you less than 45 min to the arena), close to the old city and right in the middle of the "french" neighborhood with all the nice cafes and restaurants, graffitis and small cozy streets with trees to walk along.

Good suggestion - I’m not familiar with Jean-Talon, but you can’t go wrong if you’re within walking distance of the Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal metro stations. I always wish I could live around there when I visit. Plus you’ll save a bit of metro time to Laval compared to downtown (Bonaventure/Square Victoria stations).

But as long as you’re by the orange line you’re golden. You can transfer to the blue line at Jean-Talon or more likely the green at Berri-UQAM, but IMO it’s worth saving the hassle especially coming back late.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

I just booked the Royal Versailles on Sherbrooke for the 22nd to 24th. Then we're staying at Comfort Inn Laval from Wednesday til Sunday. I decided to give myself a few days to wander. The first hotel doesn't look downtown, but it says its close to the Radisson subway station and Place Versailles Shopping Mall! Christmas is coming!

That’s in the eastern part of Montreal for sure.

 

[emilieh]

I just booked the Royal Versailles on Sherbrooke for the 22nd to 24th. Then we're staying at Comfort Inn Laval from Wednesday til Sunday. I decided to give myself a few days to wander. The first hotel doesn't look downtown, but it says its close to the Radisson subway station and Place Versailles Shopping Mall! Christmas is coming!

I stayed there once, probably 10+ years ago or so. I don't remember much about the room, but I still remember the partially-charred mattress out on the grass in the courtyard.