Snow sends thousands from Canada on free tropical vacations

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

OTTAWA (AFP) — Thousands of Canadians won a free winter getaway Wednesday in this country's largest ever travel promotion which was pegged to a minimum five inches (12.7 cm) of snow falling on New Year's day.

Tens of thousands were eligible to win the complimentary trips valued at up to 100 million (Canadian, US) dollars.

According to the Meteorological Service of Canada, only Montreal beat the contest threshold with 5.8 inches (14.8 cm) of snow on Tuesday. Toronto was just shy at 3.7 inches (9.4 cm).

"I think we will have some very happy people in the province of Quebec," said Jonathan Carroll, president of itravel2000, which took nearly three years to organize the contest. "What a great way to kick off the New Year."

He said his firm "took out the...