To be a good investigator, you need to have a keen sense of observation, a developed analytical mind and… a pair of sharp skates. These are at least three essential elements for solving the new puzzle game set up in the woods of the Labonté orchard this winter. Our journalist is improvised detective there.
Posted at 11:30 a.m.
Our investigation begins at the shop of the popular Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot orchard, where we are given a list of suspects. Our mission ? Find out who stole Sherlock Holmes’ magnifying glass.
After putting on our skates, we set off on the 2 km long frozen path. The clues are rare in the first meters, which gives us plenty of time to admire the dormant apple trees. It’s our first trip to an orchard in winter and we notice that the landscape has a little something magical about it.
Truce reverie: we have a culprit to find.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Portico leading to the puzzle game
Past the apple trees, we enter the woods, where we come across a first suspect frozen on a large poster. We watch it carefully. Does he wear a hat? Gloves ? Does he have a mustache? Is he accompanied by an animal? This information that we note on the sheet given at the beginning of the course will be invaluable to us in finding the thief. Attention must also be paid to the words of each of the suspects that we meet along the path in the forest.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
In the woods, there are about fifteen suspects. Each reveals clues.
Budding detectives of all ages won’t have too much trouble catching the culprit. The fact remains that this open-air game, which recalls Who is it ? or keybeautifully enhances a 30 to 45 minute skate ride.
After having worked so well, why not reward yourself by warming up around the campfire, a hot chocolate or a stick of maple taffy in your hand?
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The shop
Some regulars of the place will recognize the characters hidden in the large corn maze of the orchard last summer. “We transformed the game, explains Tristan Goyette, creator of the frozen trail. They are the same characters, but they say different things. The rules have also been modified to be able to make a totally new game. »
For Experts
Are you a seasoned detective or a fan of escape games? Who Killed Rufus LoveJoy? is for you. Taking place on snowshoes (or on foot, when the snow is hard), the investigation game is perfect for racking your brains.
You have to think a lot. This is another degree of difficulty. It takes a good two hours to do.
Tristan Goyette
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Tristan Goyette
A first winter
This is the first time that Verger Labonté has offered winter activities, even though its team has been thinking about it for about five years. “I thought it was this year or never,” says the owner’s son, Tristan Goyette.
With his own business going through a slack period in the winter, the 20-year-old thought, “Why relax if I can do that? »
Creating the ice trail was quite a challenge. In particular, machinery was needed to level the wooded area. The interview is not easy either. “It’s about 65 hours a week,” says the man who now improvises as a groomer driver.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Young and old have fun on the glacier trail.
Since the ice is 100% natural, the orchard is only open when weather conditions permit, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as during spring break. Reservations are required. Rates vary depending on the package chosen.
Verger Labonté, 2291 Perrot Boulevard, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot