This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Skating in a maze in Outaouais
Skating trails are found throughout the province. What distinguishes Éco-Odyssée, in Wakefield, which welcomes visitors in winter for the first year? It’s a maze! Approximately two-thirds of the waterways that can be discovered in summer by paddle board, pedal boat or canoe have been plowed and maintained since the beginning of January. “Since the labyrinth has existed for 15 years, the ice is made naturally,” argues Amélie Rocheleau, director of communications.
Imagined by Michel Leclair, who worked as a wildlife conservation officer and consultant for Gatineau Park, the course was created in the marsh thanks to precious allies: the beavers. They are still very active in winter.
After a few days during the holidays, when the mild weather posed an additional challenge, the Éco-Odyssée team took a break before reopening in January. “We took the time necessary to learn how to handle the ice, underlines Mr.me Rocheleau. We bought a groomer — a little Zamboni. Since our reopening, things have been going well. It’s still natural ice cream. There is water underneath, so there are small imperfections. »
About 3.5 kilometers of frozen trail are now accessible. “As soon as it gets dark, the site is illuminated. The projected music can be heard throughout the valley. »
The site also has a three-bedroom lodge, accommodations with spas and two ready-to-camp accommodations (heated).
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Outdoors and history in Val-Jalbert
Nearly a century after the closure of the pulp mill that led to the creation of Val-Jalbert in 1901, an aura of mystery continues to envelop the village of Lac-Saint-Jean. From a height of 72 meters, the Ouiatchouan waterfall — “white broth rapids” in the Innu language — dominates the landscape. Twenty meters higher than Niagara Falls, it seems to taunt the horizon by spitting its foam.
For a second year, it is possible to explore the village under the snow and see the impressive Ouiatchouan frozen by the cold. In addition to discovering the houses built for workers at the time when the pulp and paper industry was booming, visitors can unleash their madness on slides set up in the heart of the site, including the new one on rue Labrecque, Accessible to ages 10 and up.
Thanks to the Club Plein-Air Ouiatchouan, snowshoe trails and cross-country ski trails are maintained both in the village and in the camping area. “Moonlight” evenings are also on the program. To fully experience the atmosphere of the site, opt for accommodation in a period house or on the first floor of the General Store.
Escape game at Parc de la Gorge-de-Coaticook
Since last year, an outdoor escape game has offered to combine puzzles and hiking at Parc de la Gorge-de-Coaticook in the Eastern Townships. The legend of Liéri depicts a magical creature that has fun taking on different forms. Clues sown in the mountain trail allow you to solve puzzles using a cell phone. Five stations of varying levels of difficulty, including one added this year, promise to put all the senses to the test.
Increasingly popular across the province, kicksledding is one of the other activities promoted by the park, in addition to snowshoeing, snow biking, ice climbing and winter hiking. .
Pets are allowed on the trails.