Yahoo Sports 5 tips to help you plan your perfect Québec ski trip
With 75 ski resorts to choose from and jaw-dropping scenery at every turn, Québec is the perfect spot for your next ski trip. Whether you’re planning to hit the slopes with your thrill-seeking buddies, escape the city with your kids, or embark on a romantic getaway, your ideal ski vacation is waiting for you in this winter wonderland.
Looking to level-up your ski experience this year? Follow these tips to guarantee your next winter adventure is one you’ll never forget.
1. Check out the vibrant après-ski scene
Since you’re going to Québec, you might want to learn a few French words and, especially, one phrase in particular: après-ski.
Ski lovers know that an epic ski trip is about more than just snow. It’s also about experiencing ski culture, and everything it entails, long after you’re done your runs for the day—and there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the festive ski spirit than Québec, with its legendary après-ski activities.
Enjoy local flavours and craft beers at one of the province’s many gourmet restaurants or microbreweries. Is relaxation more your thing? You’ve come to the right place. Soothe your tired muscles at a Nordic spa and then curl up with a glass of wine by a cozy fire. Or, if you’re still buzzing with energy, join fellow partygoers at a nightclub or toast to your amazing vacation at an alpine village bar—check out Tremblant’s famed P’tit Caribou to experience one of the top après-ski bars not just in Québec, but the world.
2. Dive into adventure
Embrace your inner daredevil and explore the many thrills Québec has to offer. If you’re craving adventure, check out one of the many resorts that offers backcountry skiing and alpine touring, where you’ll ski off-trail (or, as they say in Québec, off-piste) in the heart of the wilderness. Fat biking and snowboarding are also in good supply for vacationers looking to try something new.
If you’re on the hunt for a location that caters to an adventurous spirit, consider Sommet Saint-Sauveur in the Laurentians. With an alpine roller coaster, double zip line, and snow tubing park, this resort is a thrill-seeker’s paradise.
3. Take some time to look around
Picturesque resorts with cobblestone pathways. Breathtaking scenery with mountains that seem to go on forever. Want to get the most out of your Québec ski vacation? Take time to pause and appreciate the endless beauty that surrounds you.
Head to the Québec City and Charlevoix region to experience the magic of skiing through freshly-fallen snow as you glide down towards the majestic St. Lawrence River. Or check out the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean region and admire stunning landscapes practically untouched by human hands. For a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, head to Mont Sutton in the Eastern Townships, where you’ll ski through enchanting glades and soak up the solitude of being one with nature. Or visit Mont-Orford, which offers a breathtaking natural panorama from the top of any one of its three summits. Located in the heart of Parc national du Mont-Orford, the resort also features the region’s largest alpine hiking network, so you can hit the slopes in the morning, and hike stunning trails in the afternoon.
If you’re more of a night owl, there’s plenty to marvel at in the dark as well. Québec boasts the world’s largest lit ski area, with 572 lighted runs, and you’ll want to take full advantage; Stoneham and Bromont, montagne d’expériences both offer tons of lit trails for those interested in night skiing. Grab your partner and spend the evening skiing under the stars for an unforgettable romantic experience. If you’re staying in a major city during your trip, you’re in luck—most of these lit trails are less than an hour away from Montréal and Québec City.
4. Make it a family affair
You might think a ski vacation in Québec is best-suited for honeymooners and adrenaline junkies, but if you have little ones at home, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn just how family-friendly skiing in Québec can be. So, switch things up this year and forgo the annual winter holiday beach trip in favour of creating lasting memories for the whole family at one of Québec’s many kid-friendly resorts.
For an unbeatable family vacation, book a stay at Mont Blanc in the Laurentians, which parents love for its kid-oriented amenities. Or, if you’re drawn to the Eastern Townships, check out Owl’s Head, a warm and welcoming resort developed by a family, for families.
Enroll the kids in lessons at one of Québec’s many renowned ski schools while you carve out some child-free time for yourselves. Several family-oriented resorts even offer daycares and camps, to help ensure your little ones are entertained and cared for, on and off the hills.
If you’re looking for proximity to Québec City, Le Relais is another favourite destination for vacationing families. And, of course, with an indoor water park and state-of-the-art laser tag arena, Tremblant is certain to check off all the boxes for families seeking nonstop fun and entertainment, especially for those with older kids.
5. Do things your way
No matter what you do, and where you visit, remember to go at your own pace. With Québec’s wide range of skiable terrain, you don’t have to worry about being stuck with runs that are either too easy or too challenging—it’s easy to find ones that are just right for you. If you’re a first-timer, there are plenty of bunny trails for newbies. For the experts, you’ll delight in the many double black diamond runs with perfectly-packed snow.
And if you find you need a break from all the ski action, there are a number of other winter sports to keep you active. Lace up your skates, or rent a pair of snowshoes. Hop on a snow tube with your gang, or cozy up with your partner and take a romantic dog sled ride.
In Québec, there’s an entire winter playground right at your feet—the choice is yours.
