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Cross-Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing in the Sepaq Network
2640 Boulevard Laurier, Bureau 1300-13 etage, Saint-Foy, PQ
G1V5C2
The Sepaq Network (800-665-6527, www.sepaq.com) in the Quebec region has 22 National parks, 16 wildlife reserves and 8 tourist resorts. From 4-star hotels to log cabins, huts, and even igloos the Sepaq Network offers Quebec's largest wilderness and outdoor network on 40,000 square kilometers. Snow enthusiasts can enjoy xc skiing in any of its forms on classic groomed trails, backcountry explorations or skate skiing. But there is also snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, and alpine touring.
For the ski conditions page on the Sepaq Web site click Sepaq Snow Conditions.
A
Sepaq season pass offers 10 percent off of the $190 Cdn/adult cost and
$360 Cdn/family cost on or before Dec. 5. The parks and locations included
with the pass: Camp Mercier, Mont-Megantic, Mont-Orford, Mont-Saint-Bruno,
Mont Tremblant, Monts-Valin, Parc d'Oka, Yamaska, Station Touristique
Duchesnay. A small sampling of some of the parks and facilities is below.
Camp Mercier (418-848-2422, www.sepaq.com) in the Reserve Faunique des Laurentides is less than one hour 50 km north from Quebec City on Highway 175. There is a 79 km trail network with trails for first timers and experts alike, varying in length from 1.4 km to 37 km. Five of the trails are groomed for skating. Expect impeccable grooming. There are 9 new cabins in the Lac-a-Noel area. Camp Mercier has rental equipment available for xc skiing and snowshoeing. Camp Mercier has a restaurant, waxing room, fireplace, and lodging on site and is known for nearly 20 meters of annual snowfall and a long season because it is at a higher elevation.
Gaspesie
National Park features the Chic Chocs Package,
which offers backcountry skiing in the highest peaks in eastern Canada.
Gite du Mont-Albert (866-727-2427, www.sepaq.com/gite)
is a mountain playground with 24 km of cross country skiing, spectacular
off-piste skiing and a wide range of guided activities.
Station touristique Duchesnay (877-511-5885, www.aubergeduchesnay.com) is a newly renovated lodging facility with various accommodations including the famed Ice Hotel and Auberge Duchesnay, which is on the shore of Lac Saint Joseph with scenic views of the surrounding mountains.There are 48 rooms in the new hotel with a restaurant, swimming pool, fitness room, and massage services. The 150 km of groomed trails includes 25 km of trails groomed for skate skiing. A full xc ski facility with rental equipment, waxing room, game room, and food service area is also available. Barely 30 minutes to the west from downtown Quebec, skiers of all ages and ability will enjoy the center's picturesque setting and full array of services. The Ice Hotel is a 3,000 square-foot complex made entirely of snow and ice with sponsor Absolut served at two disco bars and a gallery.
The
Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge recently opened in the Reserve faunaique
de Matane in a high altitude exceptional snow covered paradise. There's
an 18 room lodge run by the innkeeper-chef with a snow coach ride to
get to the site. Guide service, accommodations, meals and outdoor gear
for $255 per night. Wildlife abounds including moose, caribou and white-tailed
deer. Mont Matawees and Mont Collins are above 1,000 meters in elevation.
Call for reservations at 800-665-3091.
For more details about the many Sepaq Parks locations or to make reservations for cabins, lodges or other accommodations, go to www.sepaq.com.