Quebec Ski Mecca Ski and Snowboard Destinations Near Quebec City Story by Chris Ellison Within 30 minutes of Quebec City you can be geared up and taking your first run! Issue 1 - 2007 1 any Ski and Snowboard critics claim that some of the best skiing in eastern North America is available in Quebec. In fact, over a million people indulge each Myear in the joy of downhill skiing and snowboarding on the 90 mountains located within a relatively easy distance of Qué- bec City and Montréal. The province has three major ski areas and a combined 800 trails of all levels in the Laurentides, the Québec City region and the Eastern Townships. Within each region are many world renown resorts offering excellent condi- tions, activities and packages that include meals, lessons and lift tickets. Some even offer accommodations right at the foot of the slopes. Saint-Sauveur resorts in the Laurentides, the Orford, Bromont and Sutton resorts in the Eastern Townships and Mont Sainte Anne and Le Massif near Québec City. On a recent trip to Quebec City, I had the chance to skip over and sample some Quebec’s premier Ski and Snowboard destinations at Mont Sainte Anne and Le Massif. I started out in Quebec City, of course, because of it’s reputation as one of the country’s iconic notable winter activity destinations. As one might expect Quebec City itself is beautifully decorated with a winter celebratory theme. It has earned many favourable accolades and has been named 12th Top destination in the World by Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards and 3rd Top North American city by Travel + Leisure magazine. When you visit, you’ll certainly see why! Among Quebec City’s celebrated events that make it a prime winter playground include dogsledding, snowmobiling, slides, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, as well as ice ho- tel and igloo stays. Another event that has attracted a world audience for years is the Québec Winter Carnival. Named the world’s biggest winter carnival visitors will enjoy a host of ac- tivities for all ages, including snow baths, night parades, snow slides, giant foosball, outdoor movies, snow sculptures, shows, sleigh rides, an ice palace, and skating. The Red Bull Crashed Ice extreme skating competition also has attracted a huge fol- lowing and has put Quebec City on the map for the enthusiasts of this exciting new sport. Onlookers will cheer as they watch this high-octane skating race along Quebec City is some of the city’s steepest streets with a breakneck descent that would a wonderful city. make even the most hardened dare- Whether you devils think twice. Learn more about are visiting as Quebec City and its incredible winter a family, as a offerings at www.quebecregion.com. couple or alone, Standing high on a bluff over- there is so much looking the mighty St. Lawrence River, to do. and see. Canadian Destinations 2 Issue 1 - 2007 2 I stayed at The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which is desig- nated a United Nations World Heritage Site. With its castle-like architecture and turrets, The Château offers an unparalleled level of luxury and service, with elegantly styled chateau fur- nishings and regal décor. The hotel is full of history and truly is a destination in itself. Readers are encouraged to visit or learn more about this destination at www.fairmont.com/frontenac. During the evening of my visit to Quebec City I dined at an exceptional restaurant called TOAST! which was well rec- ommended and touted as serving a variety of the city’s best cuisines. Upon our arrival we received a warm welcome and felt at home until the last sampling of the many great tastes. The atmosphere was comfortable and we received personalized ser- vice from our waiter. The Combinations of flavors, textures and presentations of the food was original, and very well planned. There was a very good wine selection and the staff are both attentive and knowledgeable. Among the tasty offerings available at Toast! that are raved about is the rabbit stuffed with sausage cooked ‘’sous vide,’’ which is a method of cooking that is intended to maintain the integrity of ingredients by heating them for an extended Below is the period of time at relatively low tem- peratures. Other favorites included the famous Fairmont homemade confit leg, Meaux mustard Le Château and sage, braised shoulder wrapped Frontenac. in bacon, and much more. Visit Toast Left is a picture when you are in Quebec City and learn taken from the more about them at www.restaurant- hotel room. toast.com. Issue 1 - 2007 3 Le Massif My first Ski and Snowboard destination was a mere tinations for off-piste adventure, which refers to off trail skiing hour’s drive from Quebec City to the beloved Le Massif de Char- where the snow has not been compacted by overuse. Some say levoix. The drive was beautiful as I sauntered along the edge this kind of skiing tends to be more exciting but less regulated of the mighty Saint Lawrence River and passed several smaller and more dangerous. French-only communities. Le Massif is an unusual ski area and Seeking to reduce its ecological footprint and bring has been named Top 3 Best Powder locations in Canada by the mountain closer to the city, Le Massif is launching a new Ski Canada Magazine. Not only are the 48 trails and glades di- daily transportation service to Québec City, operating from De- rectly accessed via the summit of the mountain where one of cember 26 to March 28. Departing from both Place Sainte-Foy the country’s most spectacular riverside sceneries unfurl, but it and the tourist information centre across from the Fairmont Le also boasts the longest skiable vertical in Eastern Canada. The Château Frontenac Hotel, it is offered to Ski & Stay guests and mountain Le Massif also proudly boasts of the greatest vertical sports enthusiasts from the Greater Québec City Area. drop (770 metres; 2,526 feet) and the largest annual snowfall Le Massif enjoys a solid reputation which rests on the quality (650 cm; 21 feet) east of the Canadian Rockies. of its free après ski performances, when both renowned and Deep in the heart of a territory designated as a UNES- up-and-coming singers, songwriters, composers and perform- CO World Biosphere Re- ers take to the stage. Dur- serve, Le Massif is consid- ing my stay, the mountain ered a microclimate, which swayed to the rhythms of is a local atmospheric zone Bob Marley in a day-long where the climate differs group celebration of mu- from the surrounding area. sic at Le Massif’s tradition- It promises average annu- al Reggae Bash. For more al precipitations in excess information about the ski of 6 metres which elevates area, it’s music events or the ski area to one of the performing artists and ar- top Canadian powder des- tisans visit their website tinations. Le Massif is also www.lemassif.com. considered one of the best new Eastern powder des- Canadian Destinations 4 Issue 1 - 2007 4 During my visit to Le Massif de Charlevoix, I stayed in the his- the location of the first show using the name Cirque du Soleil toric and artistic town city of Baie-Saint-Paul, which was named during “La Fete Foraine de Baie-Saint-Paul” in 1984. I thorough- among the Top 3 Best Canadian Ski Towns to Live In by Ski ly enjoyed strolling down Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which is lit up Canada Magazine. The city offers several opportunities to dis- and decorated all winter long, walking in and out of stores, art cover it’s many wonderful tourism experiences. Baie-Saint-Paul galleries, artist workshops and dining in it’s great restaurants, is where Cirque du Soleil originated back in the early 1980s and and bistros. Issue 1 - 2007 5 The Charlevoix region is chock-full of renowned restaurants, where the unmistakably robust flavours of fresh, authentic fare grown and raised right there, attract the world’s finest palates. My favourite place to dine was clearly the elegant Le Restaurant le 51’s team welcome you every evening. Visit www. Culinarium du Restaurant Le 51, which offered a profusion of leculinarium.com. fresh, gourmet fare brimming with Charlevoix colour. Exquisite I stayed at Hotel Baie-Saint Paul (www.hotelbaiesaint- pastries, viennoiseries, take-out gastronomy as well as chees- paul.com), a landmark destination relatively near the downtown es, pâtés and other delights prepared by local producers were core, which stood out from the moment I arrive in this charming available. Since its opening in June 2006, the restaurant de ville Charlevoix town. Located at the mouth of Baie-Saint-Paul at the Le 51 has not only won several gastronomy awards but has also gateway to the Charlevoix region, Hôtel Baie-Saint-Paul is a very received praise from numerous gourmet writers and journal- comfortable establishment with comprehensive onsite ameni- ists. Whether you feel like discovering new flavours as a couple, ties including 62 rooms and suites, a restaurant and health cen- among friends or with family, the chef Patrick Fregni all the ter. Canadian Destinations 6 Issue 1 - 2007 6 My favourite place to dine was clearly the elegant Le Restaurant le 51’s team welcome you every evening. Visit www. Culinarium du Restaurant Le 51, which offered a profusion of leculinarium.com. fresh, gourmet fare brimming with Charlevoix colour. Exquisite I stayed at Hotel Baie-Saint Paul (www.hotelbaiesaint- pastries, viennoiseries, take-out gastronomy as well as chees- paul.com), a landmark destination relatively near the downtown es, pâtés and other delights prepared by local producers were core, which stood out from the moment I arrive in this charming available.