Bonhomme Carnaval greets people during the Quebec Winter Carnival's night parade on Feb. 11, 2006, in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)Organizers of the Quebec Winter Carnival are inviting visitors to spend a night in the cold, sleeping in tents on the historic Plains of Abraham.

About 10 tents that can accommodate up to four people each will be provided, along with sleeping bags in a "winter village" that will be set up for the 57th edition of the Quebec City carnival, which runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 13.

The tents will be available on three nights: Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12.

"It's a kind of an extreme activity we're proposing to our guests this year," said carnival president Jean-François Côté.

Last year about 750,000 people visited the carnival, which has a budget of $10.3 million. About 16 per cent came from outside the province, divided equally between the rest of Canada and other countries.

But just a small fraction of this year's visitors will get to use the sleeping bags and tents, said Cote, adding that registration in advance is necessary.

"We provide everything. The only thing people have to bring is some warm clothes," said Côté.

Also new this year are skijoring (being pulled by horses while on skis), a 150-metre-long zipline and a large ferris wheel on the Plains of Abraham.

The wheel will be lit up and be "spectacular as a light show," said Côté. "It's 70 feet tall (21 metres) so you'll have a great view of Quebec."

Most carnival events are free.