The great classics of winter sports

The winter sports season is back. The amateurs polish their weapons: skis, rackets, skates, sleds, ice axes. They are making plans for new adventures. Here are some suggestions for making the most of snow and ice.

Marie Tison
Press

Snowshoeing: magnificent mountains to discover

In Estrie, Mont-Mégantic National Park is one of the most beautiful places for snowshoeing in Quebec. Snow comes earlier than elsewhere and stays longer. And it is deeper. The park offers several trails for all levels of hikers in two main sectors, that of Franceville and that of the Observatory. For example, in the latter sector, beginners can climb Mont Saint-Joseph, a short but intense journey. Experts will want to visit all the summits, namely Saint-Joseph, Victoria, Mégantic and Notre-Dame, a serious 18 km adventure. The trails in the Franceville sector link places with names as evocative as the Vertige des escarpements, the Rest of the dragon and the Portes du Ciel. It is possible to spend nights in the park in comfortable huts, rustic shelters or (brrr) in winter camping. Good to know: it is recommended to buy your access right online, in advance.

Another suggestion: the Monts-Valin national park. The reputation of the Monts Valin, in Saguenay, is well established. It is here that we can admire the famous ghosts, these conifers so loaded with snow that they take on the appearance of ghostly forms.

Cross-country skiing: in the Laurentians!

With its hills, Quebec lends itself wonderfully to cross-country skiing. There is a huge choice of ski centers. The Val-David – Val-Morin regional park, in the Laurentians, is a classic, thanks in particular to its proximity to Montreal, its microclimate which allows good snow cover and its hilly trails. There is nothing boring here, even the easiest trails offer interesting little drops. More difficult trails require a good mastery of skiing techniques, especially if the conditions are a little icy. Heritage Nordic ski trails, such as the Gillespie, cross the territory. You can access the park from the Anne-Piché chalet, in Val-David, or the Far Hills chalet, in Val-Morin. A conflict between the municipality of Val-David and an owner resulted in the closure of a small section of the park, but a trail was opened to bypass the problematic area. Note that it is preferable to reserve online, especially on weekends.

For a smooth start to the season, or for those who are new to cross-country skiing and who prefer a smooth course, the P’tit train du Nord, between Saint-Jérôme and Val-David, remains a must. And for the second year in a row, access is free.

Outer skate: do not turn in circles

When it comes to skating outdoors, it’s hard not to think of the Rideau Canal. It is the longest natural ice rink in the world, with an official distance of 7.8 km. There are heated cabins to put on the skates, you can rent equipment on site and it is not necessary to leave the canal to buy a good hot chocolate or a beaver tail (a particularly caloric pastry that can warm up the most cautious skaters). It’s the perfect outing for those who don’t want to go around in circles at the local ice rink. Climate change is increasingly limiting the length of the skating season at the Rideau Canal, the 53^e this year: so you have to hurry to go when the rink is open. Access is free: this is an opportunity to take advantage of the taxes that have been paid throughout the year.

Lanaudière’s largest city, Joliette, has its own Rideau Canal. You can skate on the L’Assomption River, right in the city center, over a distance of 3.4 km. Last winter, due to the pandemic, the skating rink was reserved for the residents of Joliette. It should be able to welcome visitors this winter.

Ice climbing: more accessible than you think!

Contrary to what one might think, ice climbing is a very accessible sport. You just need to do business with one of the many climbing schools that can be found in Quebec. La Montagne d’Argent, in La Conception in the Laurentians, is a great place to learn about this sport. Part of its walls is artificially watered, which ensures a better quality of ice when conditions are a little less favorable. Some schools organize activities there, notably La Liberté Nord-Sud, which has a kiosk on site. This school offers introductory sessions and training for more experienced climbers, in addition to offering a rental service. Small shelters near the walls allow you to warm up between climbs.

The website of the Fédération québécoise de la montagne et de l’escalade (FQME) lists the training schools in the province. In the Quebec City region, Aventurex offers initiation sessions and more advanced training at Chute-Montmorency Park, a spectacular site if there is one.

Sliding: hours of family fun

You can’t miss the Super Glissades de Saint-Jean-de-Matha, in Lanaudière. The site offers a wide variety of descents, from simple tubes (inner tubes) to type canoes. rafting which can reach 100 km / h in icy conditions. It is not necessary to have great skills to slide and it is not essential to be in shape either: there are ski lifts that allow you to climb the hill comfortably seated in your tube. The more athletic can however take advantage of their passage to do a little cross-country skiing: the trails are very beautiful and offer serious descents for skiers looking for strong emotions. You can rent skis on site, which allows you to vary the pleasures between two tube descents. It is a good idea to reserve your place online.

The Village Vacances Valcartier, just north of Quebec City, is also a tube sliding classic. In particular, you can descend Mount Everest, recognized as the highest acceleration slide in America, with a 33.5 m high tower.