Big ‘snow hill’ will bring top skiers, snowboarders to Mississauga

The wintertime “mountain spirit” is once again on its way to Mississauga and as one city councillor succinctly put it, “It’s cool.”

And, continued Ward 4 Coun. John Kovac at last Wednesday’s meeting of city council, “it’s really, really, really good.”

Kovac, also one of the city’s two deputy mayors, was talking about APIK Mississauga 2026. Described by the City of Mississauga as an “urban winter festival,” the three-day all-ages event is filled with ski and snowboard competitions — and much more — and its second visit to Mississauga is slated for Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 at Celebration Square.

Admission throughout the weekend is free and organizers anticipate 35,000 people will attend over the three days.

“I love this (event),” Kovac told fellow city councillors and the mayor in speaking about the winter sports display that’ll take place in the downtown core, part of his ward. “I think it’s really been a shot in the arm for City Centre and Celebration Square, in particular. It’s cool. And I think we need some of that … it’s really, really, really good.”

APIK Mississauga 2026 will bring together some of North America’s top skiers and snowboarders who’ll take part in three days of competitions and exhibitions on an artificial snow hill that will be created at Celebration Square in front of city hall.

Running Friday through Sunday the final weekend of January, the winter sports event is designed to bring the mountain atmosphere to the city for a family-themed event that not only features competitions — but demonstrations, lessons, music, athlete meet-and-greets, and an after-party as well.

City officials noted the ski and snowboard athletes will compete for a total prize pool of $100,000 as “the mountain spirit comes to the city.”

And, they add, it’ll be “the perfect opportunity to enjoy winter with family or friends.”

Event organizers said in advance of the competition’s first visit to the city in February 2025 that they were taking the show on the road “after two successful editions of APIK in Montréal.”

APIK Mississauga 2026 is being staged by Association des Sports D’action in partnership with Visit Mississauga, the city’s tourism office.

The festival/competition runs Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, 5-10 p.m. each night. The event is free to attend and accessible.

Those interested can find more information on the APIK Mississauga website.

By Declan Finucane, insauga