CHARLEVOIX IS A FOUR-SEASON DESTINATION
It began 300 million years ago as a meteor-formed region and now this charming area within crater walls flourishes as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The region’s location, an hour’s drive northeast of Quebec City, has long lured vacationers, artists an
Extreme sledding
There’s more than one way to get down the snow-covered mountain at Le Massif de Charlevoix, the highest vertical drop in Eastern Canada and (at 770 metres) east of the Rockies. “This is more or less the beginning of Charlevoix,” said Maxime Letendre, marketing co-ordinator at Le Massif de Charlevoix, from atop the ski hill. You don’t have to ski to enjoy a thrilling downhill experience. From Friday to Monday, you can wind down Mont Liguori via wooden sled.
Explore the towns
On trendy Rue St-Jean-Baptiste in Baie-St-Paul, quaint coffee shops, restaurants, craft stores and galleries litter the lane. Pottery collector? Hit up Autour Du Pot. In L’Isle-aux-Coudres, warm up at Cidrerie et Vergers Pedneault and taste a variety of sweet and crisp ciders. For lunch, the homemade goodies of Boulangerie Bouchard beckon. Highly celebrated are the pâtés croches (meat turnovers) and nun’s fart pies (sugar pies a.k.a., Pet des soeurs).
Ice canoeing
“Watch with your eyes and feel with your heart,” said Noëlle-Ange Harvey, passionate promoter of ice-canoeing and the race La Grand Traversée, which she started with her sister 27 years ago. The annual competition in February is one of seven national trials in Circuit de courses de Québec. Competitors paddle the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River and traverse ice floes over an eight-kilometre stretch between L’Isle-aux-Coudres and St-Joseph-de-la-Rive.
Rural feel, rural appeal
In 2015, Baie-St-Paul’s Hôtel La Ferme became Le Germain Hôtel Charlevoix. As a nod to its past life as farmland, the stunning award-winning property is showcased in a countryside setting. The vision of Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, the unique layout includes a series of five buildings, “keeping the essence of the farm and buildings named from the farm,” explained Annie Bouchard, regional sales director.
Hit the slopes
Described as a hidden gem, Le Mont Gros-Fonds in La Malbaie sees annual snowfalls of 650 centimetres. Offering 14 trails, from a large bunny hill to moguls and everything in between, it’s a good place for skiers of all levels to plow through the abundance of fresh snow. Stop in at the summit’s rustic Food Shack for some herbal-infused cedar tea and a warm lunch prepared fresh by chef Jérémie Al-Simaani Goulet.
Falling for Fairmont’s dog program
Get your dog fix at La Malbaie’s historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. The newest addition to its welcome team is canine ambassador Roux. The adorable three-year-old Labrador retriever is on hand for guests who miss the companionship of their at-home furry friends. Nearby, Quebec’s City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is also home to canine ambassador Daphnie, a St-Pierre breed. This service is offered by multiple Fairmont properties.