Ottawa area attractions: Mont Cascades
/by Amanda Our 2 year old has a new phrase these days. “Water slides. Go! Water Slides?” We are frequent visitors to Mont Cascade. So frequent that we have purchased season passes again this year and our son recognizes when we get close because he says “Water Slides!!” Mont Cascade is located in Cantley, Quebec, approximately 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
Ticket prices are only $15 for adults or $35+tax for a season’s pass (2 and under are free!) making it is a very affordable option for some fun in the sun. The water being heated this year adds to even more enjoyment. At $35 for a seasons pass we can justify only going for a few hours at a time. Sometimes with smaller children this is needed for those who still nap or just need to head home for some quiet time.
The kids area consists of a 3 smaller slides that end up in the beach like wading pool and 2 larger slides that bring you down to the bottom in their own little area. Check it out here. Our 2 year old loves going down the 3 smaller slides on his own but with the longer walk up to the top for the 2 larger slides, called Lemonade and Tangerine for their colours, he has an adult ride with him.
We have discovered that depending on what kind of bathing suit bottoms you wear will greatly impact your speed, or lack thereof. My husband has his “water slide shorts” that offer speed! Even going on the slides with our son they catch some great speed and shoot out the bottom. If you are wearing bathing suit bottoms that are made out of cotton you may find yourself pushing yourself down the slide more. When we visit during the more busy times one adult generally stays at the top of the slide and the other at the bottom to do the catching as they come into the water. Our son does the small walk back up to the top by himself with us watching him. This is done more for the fact that he doesn’t understand the concept of not letting the older kids jump in front of him and to wait until the child before him is completely out of the way before it is his turn! There is a height restriction in the childrens area but adult or older children are able to slide with the little ones at all times.
With many daycamps frequenting the park this summer I suggest trying to go on a Monday or Tuesday. Generally these are days where daycamps do not take day trips off site. Plan to be there right for opening, 10am, or head later in the day around 3 when many people are leaving for the day to get home for dinner. That being said we did meet some friends there on a Friday early afternoon and despite the parking lot being full the kid area was not overwhelming.
Bring a cooler and pack your lunch and snacks. There is a canteen available and a Subway restaurant. Prices can start to add up quickly. Just remember not to bring any glass bottles or containers, as they are not permitted. If you get there early grab a picnic table with some shade and an umbrella. There are also a few cabana’s to rent if you are going with a group but I do find them very awkwardly placed over by a smaller pool and not close to the children’s area and away from many of the main slides. This could be a draw for those with older children so the parents have a quiet place to sit but those with young children would not have easy access from the kids area to their cabana’s.
For older children there is “Splash Forest” with a few small tube slides, spraying water and buckets of fun. We have only frequented a few of the “big slides” and have found that the line ups can get quite big in the mid day. Expect a line up to wait for your tube or mat if they are required for your slide of choice and then a long walk up to the top of the slide. However, it would be a great way to tire out the kids for the drive home!
The lifeguard in me also feels the need to gently remind you to keep your eyes on your child at all times and to stay close. From what I have seen over the past two years frequenting this water park is that the lifeguards are not always as vigilant as they could be. Because they are a private waterpark and not a City pool they do not have to follow the same standards and the lifeguard to bather ratio is quite large. We have noticed there are a few lifeguards who are fantastic with the children, encouraging high fives as they walk back up to the slides, gently reminding children to walk instead of run and responding to questions or needs of park users. Next time you want someplace to cool off why not head to Cascades? We’ll see you there!
Amanda is a mom to a 2 year old boy and 4 month old baby girl. When she is not out having fun with the kids you can find her getting her yoga on at www.littlelotusyoga.ca
