Slightly more accessible shelters

Last winter, many outdoor enthusiasts were unable to stay in shelters due to health regulations related to COVID-19. These included groups of friends who did not fit into the concept of a family bubble, or single people or couples who could not afford to rent a shelter on their own.

Marie Tison
Press

This year, the rules are a little less restrictive, especially for groups of friends. In general, accommodation units with the appropriate capacity can accommodate up to 10 people from different addresses, or even 3 family units.

However, there are still places where the concept of a family bubble per refuge is maintained. The details differ from one organization to another, or even within the same organization. This is particularly the case with the Société des establishments de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ).

“It is variable geometry,” admits the spokesperson of the company, Simon Boivin.

There are several types of accommodation available at SEPAQ: cabins, yurts, rustic camps or shelters. Unlike rustic shelters, cabins offer running water and electricity. It sounds simple. Except that in winter, the water and electricity are cut in some cabins, which thus fall into the category of rustic shelters.

The shelters are even more rustic. The big difference is that day hikers can access the huts during the day, but not the rustic shelters, which remain for the exclusive use of those who rented them.

As a general rule, SEPAQ follows the recommendations of Public Health: a group of no more than 10 people from different residences can rent a cabin, a rustic shelter or a refuge.

But oddly, this is not the case for Mont-Mégantic National Park: there is a limit of one family unit per refuge.

At SEPAQ, it is not possible to spend a single night in a cabin or rustic shelter: you must book a minimum of two nights. Fortunately, this requirement disappears for shelters, especially for those frequented by skiers and long-distance snowshoers. Moreover, they must respect pre-established routes in certain parks, including Monts-Valin and Gaspésie: there is no question of staying an extra night here or there, or of concocting a different route.

They must also rent the refuge exclusively. At SEPAQ, he has not yet returned, the time to share shelters with friendly strangers.

Mixed groups, rules to follow

Sharing shelters will be possible in the Traversée de Charlevoix shelters, but with a series of rules to follow. The shelters of the great crossing can accommodate 10 people if it is the same group, or 8 people if it is different groups.

“It allows us to exert a certain distance, it makes people more comfortable when they are in the presence of people they don’t know,” says Marie-Josée Grenier, of the Traversée de Charlevoix.

The organization recommends wearing the mask indoors. But if everyone is doubly vaccinated and everyone agrees, it might be possible to drop the mask.

La Traversée de Charlevoix offers a number of shelters that are more geared towards short hikes. These must be rented exclusively by a group, they cannot be shared by people who do not know each other.

This is also the case for most parks and organizations that offer stays in a refuge, such as the Saint-Donat Outdoor Club or the regional parks of Matawinie, Vallée Bras-du-Nord and of the Montagne du Diable. You must book an exclusive refuge, but the group can include 10 people from different addresses (or according to the maximum capacity of the refuge or chalet).

Last winter, it was not possible to sleep in the day shelters at Devil’s Mountain due to COVID-19. This winter, they should be offered again for accommodation. Huts can be booked for one night only, while cabins and mini-houses require a reservation of at least two nights.

At Vallée Bras-du-Nord, you must also book a minimum of two nights. However, we keep a certain flexibility. “Regarding rustic shelters and small yurts, we allow a rental of one night if they are not rented less than 72 hours before the stay,” says Magalie Hurtubise, communications coordinator of the Vallée Bras- North.

In short, it is a good idea to consult the website and the Facebook page of the various organizations that offer accommodation. You can thus find out about the latest rules in force. You can also learn amazing things. The shelters on the Sentier des caps de Charlevoix had to close temporarily because of… bedbugs. Fortunately, an extermination firm treated all of the shelters and almost all were able to reopen their doors. It’s not just COVID-19 that lurks hikers.