This text is part of the special Spring Break booklet
A good school break is a program balanced between rest, physical activity and social interaction. A need that many organizations have understood, hence the overbidding of the offer of outdoor activities planned during this week.
For young city dwellers, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and anchor their long-term bond. Ski resorts, in particular, offer spring break camps and special activities for this occasion. This week represents the second busiest period for ski resorts, hence the importance of booking ski lessons and equipment rental. Here are some suggestions for outings and activities throughout Quebec.
Montreal
Winter is made for sliding! That’s good: the metropolis has no shortage of slopes where you can slide down your toboggan. In addition to the unmissable slopes at the foot of Mount Royal and in front of Beaver Lake, the nature parks on the island of Montreal, in particular that of Île-de-la-Visitation, offer mounds near the reception chalets . Parc Jean-Drapeau also has a natural and safe slope at Espace 67, with a view of downtown.
During spring break, the United Group of Naturalist Educators and Environmental Professionals (GUEPE) announces a complete program in the nature parks of the Island of Montreal: rental of cross-country skis, snowshoes and sleds at low prices, on weekends, nocturnal hikes and kiosks addressing themes related to biodiversity (from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.). Reservation required for activities. guepe.qc.ca.
Laval
A must-see, the Center de la nature is Laval’s largest green space and has established itself as a mecca for the outdoors on the island, especially for children. On a beautiful winter day, you can practice cross-country skiing, walking, skating, hockey, but also skiing and snowboarding for an initiation in the snow park. You complete your visit with a visit to the farm to see goats, pigs, ducks and rabbits, and by the tropical greenhouse to familiarize yourself with the exotic fauna and flora. Free access.
Saint-Eustache
In the MRC of Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache presents itself as a “true winter paradise” by offering a myriad of outdoor activities ideal for the family on vacation. Like the snow labyrinth installed in the gardens of the Globenski manor. The little ones will particularly enjoy moving through the twists and turns of this construction of snow and ice. Also, we practice traditional activities at the Nature Saint-Eustache park – walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing – or, more original, we embark on a literary rally on the trail of L’écureuil by finding answers to 12 questions about characters children’s literature. A way to activate both your muscles and your neurons.
Drummondville
In the Saint-Joachim-de-Courval sector, the Extéria tree-to-tree course has, among other things, two tube sliding corridors accessible in winter. The Drummond Forest Regional Park is the perfect playground for hiking the trails on snowshoes or by bike with oversized tires in landscapes overflowing with charm, on the banks of the Saint-François River.
A little dive into history? Meet at the Village québécois d’antan, an enchanting site where you can practice cross-country skiing (21 km of trails) in a maple grove, passing through a 20th century village.e century. An architectural heritage that also includes the Parc des Voltigeurs (where you can practice oversized cycling and cross-country skiing).
Monteregie
During spring break, animators welcome families for the Rallye-boottines at Regard-sur-le-fleuve park, in Sorel-Tracy. The objective: to follow a 1.5 km path with educational and fun stages on history, heritage and biodiversity (digital or printed map available at the Biophare). After the activity, we take a hot chocolate to warm up. It’s free.
Quebec
Outside and inside, the national capital and its region harbor good ideas for Spring Break. Head to Old Quebec at Tuque and bicycle experiences for an introduction to fat tire biking with a guided tour through the city and the snowy trails in complete safety (equipment rental included). After this baptism, you can go ride on the tracks, which are not lacking in the region. Like at the Center récréotouristique des Hautes Terres, in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, a superb playground for riding. Its three new trails (two of which are easy) will appeal to young cyclists who have energy to spare. The more adventurous will also appreciate the famous tube slides for a good dose of adrenaline; three sliding corridors as well as a ski lift are offered there.
Lower St. Lawrence
The Bas-du-Fleuve abounds in icefalls, one of the most impressive natural phenomena observed in winter. This is the ideal region to learn about ice climbing, with a certified guide from Grimpe en ville. In the Rivière-du-Loup sector, head to Parc des Chutes for an initiation course on a 40 m high frozen wall. Teens and pre-teens (from 12 years old) will appreciate the challenge of progressing with crampons and ice axes on the frozen waterfalls. As everywhere in the region, the Rimouski sector offers many skating rinks, including a 1 km ice trail in Beauséjour Park.
Eastern Townships
To start the spring break, nothing better than a trip to the famous Sherbrooke Carnival (February 24 to 26) to admire the 15 ice sculptures created this year, on the theme of comic strips. Light games, inflatable structures, music and a mascot will appeal especially to the little ones. Their elders will certainly love the zip line, via ferrata, high line and of slacklining for a day full of emotions.
It’s been very trendy for a few years, and for good reason: the luminous trails in a natural environment combine activity with wonder. The one in Granby is no exception: six bright play stations line this 1.7 km route between city and nature.
Day and vacation camps
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.