The Ice Bowl of 1977

Standing in the snow and cold during the 65th Grey Cup Parade in Montreal in November 1977. The photo was taken with my KODAK 110 camera, I was 11 at the time. The temperature was around -5C (23F), and heavy snow fell for the duration of the parade. It was awesome!

As we head into the CFL's 110th Grey Cup weekend, with the Montreal Alouettes set to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton, I started thinking about the famous Ice Bowl played back in 1977.

A record-breaking crowd of 68,318 fans braved a transit strike and game time windchills in the minus 20s. (Montreal Alouettes Photo)

Weather has often presented a serious challenge to Grey Cup participants and spectators alike. The game has been held in snow, sleet, fog and serious cold. Such was the case during the 65th Grey Cup held in Montreal on Sunday, November 27, 1977. The game, dubbed the Ice Bowl, saw game time temperatures around -10C (14F), with strong northwest winds that gusted between 50 and 70km/h at times. Windchill readings were in the minus 20s. Despite that, a record-setting crowd of 68,318 fans filled Olympic Stadium, with no roof at the time, braving the cold as well an ongoing transit strike. That record crowd for a Grey Cup game still stands to this day.

Field conditions were less than ideal, but that did not stop Montreal from defeating Edmonton 41-6. (Montreal Alouettes Photo)

The cold did not stop the Alouettes from destroying the Edmonton Eskimos 41-6 behind a stellar performance by Virginia native, Quarterback Sonny Wade and kicker Don Sweet from Vancouver. Both were playing in weather that neither grew up with. 

The frigid cold had poured in behind a major early season snowstorm, that had dumped 21.3cm of snow on the city on Saturday, November 26, with blowing, drifting snow and cold temperatures. The Grey Cup Parade that always preceded the game during the 70's was held along downtown St. Catherine Street. 

I lived in Verdun at that time, and was more than eager to attend the parade, despite the weather. I was 11 years-old in 1977 and all seemed right with the world to me standing in the snow and cold outside Woolworth's downtown, with my family. We occasionally would duck in for a hot chocolate at the lunch counter to warm up. The day remains a cherished memory for me with my late father, and further solidified my interest in weather. Snowstorms of the 1970's were awesome in my eyes, and this one was even more special.

No snow is forecast this weekend in Hamilton, with the game set to start at 6pm. Expect clear skies, light winds and chilly temperatures around 2C (35F), perfect football weather in Canada. Enjoy the game, GO ALS GO!

The snow intensified as temperatures dropped towards the end of the Grey Cup Parade in Montreal on November 26, 1977. (ValleyWeather)