Eastern skiers can look to Quebec for an exceptional and nearby mountain getaway
Mid-way between Europe and the Rocky Mountains there lies a region in Quebec where mountains, lodging, cuisine and culture come together in a way that might make skiers on the eastern side of the continent swear off airports altogether.
Charlevoix is a world-class destination, offering breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and surrounding mountains, away from crowded urban centres yet within easy reach of Quebec City. Beyond the slopes of two must-ski resorts, exceptional accommodations, diverse winter activities and distinctive local flavours come together to create a truly memorable getaway.
A ski trip to Charlevoix is an opportunity to experience two distinctive and complementary mountains.
Le Massif de Charlevoix boasts Canada’s greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies and spectacular skiing with sweeping views over the St. Lawrence River. The terrain offers the whole range of beginner to expert trails, as well as off-piste terrain in the Mont à Liguori sector. Liguori can be reached via a 20-minute climb on the skin track and is an excellent place for an introduction to backcountry skiing.
Accommodations range from ski-in/ski-out chalets to charming auberges to sophisticated hotels.
Mont Grand-Fonds boasts a welcoming, accessible and authentic mountain atmosphere and exceptional snow conditions supported by a favourable micro-climate. The new six-passenger Lynx Express detachable chairlift shortens the ride to the summit from approximately 12 minutes to just four and allows skiers more time on the snow to enjoy the gentle groomers that lie south of the peak or the steeper glades that fall off the northern sector.
Le Massif de Charlevoix is part of both the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, making Charlevoix an especially appealing destination for passholders. Meanwhile, Mont Grand-Fonds is gaining attention as one of Quebec’s emerging ski destinations (see Ski Canada, vol 55, issue 1) and is now part of the Compagnie des Montagnes de Ski du Québec, alongside some of the province’s leading ski resorts.
Being close to a maritime environment, both mountains are known for remarkable snow quality and quantity and, at just about an hour’s drive away from each other, they are well worth combining into a single Charlevoix ski getaway.
Approachable alpine touring.
Ski-in/ski-out accommodations, easily rentable chalets, and high-end hotels such as Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and Club Med Québec-Charlevoix make it easy to turn a day on the slopes into a complete winter experience.
The skiing is only part of what makes a winter trip to Charlevoix memorable. Located near Quebec City, the region combines skiing with high-quality accommodations, a distinctive local food scene and a range of winter experiences, including nordic skiing, dog sledding and fat biking. Visitors can build a complete getaway around their days on the mountain, discovering Charlevoix’s local flavours, landscapes and warm hospitality along the way.
