Meet a Montrealer: Nicolas Cournoyer

As the CEO of Igloofest, the outrageous open-air dance party that turns Old Montréal into the hottest club in town for four consecutive weekends from January to February, Nicolas Cournoyer knows where the fun is at. The cofounder of Piknic Électronik loves the outdoors, especially in the winter. In his free time, he makes maple syrup at his family sugar shack. This is how he experiences Montréal.

Age: Nearly 42 (right in the middle of Igloofest!)

Job: CEO of Igloofest.

Favourite pastime: Hockey. Since I was little, I’ve watched hockey, I’ve played hockey. Otherwise I love making maple syrup; every year I make a batch at the sugar shack I own with my brothers and sisters. We do it with buckets, like in the olden days, purely for the pleasure of it.

How long have you been a Montrealer? I came to Montréal for school in 1992. I was born in Saint-Joseph-de-Sorel. I studied law at Université de Montréal, and worked as a criminal lawyer for five years before getting into event organization. I worked in the logistics department at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, then, in 2003, me and three partners launched Piknic Électronik. Igloofest followed in 2007, in a partnership with the Old Port of Montréal.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve done so far this year? It’s only just started! The coolest thing so far was skating on a lake.

What’s the next big thing you’re planning? Apart from Igloofest 2015, which is coming soon, I’d say the biggest thing I’ve been working on is the international development of Piknic Électronik. We launched the Barcelona Piknic three years ago, and next weekend marks the first Melbourne edition; we’re currently negotiating with other cities for this summer, including Paris, Lisbon and Madrid. We’re looking at enlisting at least 10 cities in the next five years.

What’s your favourite Montréal memory? Well, here I have to talk hockey. The best moment was when the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1993. What a memory! What a moment.

What’s your favourite Montréal restaurant? It’s too hard to choose just one. I’d say Bouillon Bilk. Otherwise, there’s Club Chasse et Pêche for the risotto with baby pork and foie gras, or the octopus; Nouveau Palais for the burger; and Mont-Royal Hot Dog for the Italian poutine, at the end of a late night.

Where do you like to go for drinks with friends? As an event organizer I actually don’t go out that much, and when I do it’s a nice chilled out place, like Laïka or the Waverly.

What’s the one thing anyone visiting Montréal should absolutely do? I’m hardly objective, but Igloofest. It’s a truly incredible event in Montréal. It has revitalized winter in the city, and allows people to become kids again, to play, to go sliding. Otherwise, Nuit Blanche à Montréal. It’s an all-night party, with people everywhere and an amazing atmosphere – I’m nuts for that event. It’s full of free activities, you can go see Art Souterrain, you can visit museums at insane hours, there’s a sort of madness, a sort of euphoria in the air! It’s really worth the visit.

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Photo: Igloofest