WINTER ESCAPE
Unique culinary delights, a UNESCO biosphere courtesy of an ancient meteor and Canada’s first Club Med make an impact on visitors By Johanna Read
Four hundred million years ago, a meteorite crashed into an area of Quebec that would (much) later become known as Charlevoix. That event helped create a natural area witch is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and tidal marshes, all enclosed within a 54-kilometre-wide crater left behind. Today, the region is having an impact on visitors who have been captivated by its top-notch culinary scene, beautiful natural surroundings and the array of activities available throughout the year. Located about a one hour’s drive east of Quebec City on the north side of the St. Lawrence River, Charlevoix is poised to become even more ‘Massif-ly’ popular, once a new Club Med ski resort opens this winter on the slopes of Le Massif, the region’s largest mountain. It has Canada’s biggest vertical drop east of the Rockies at 770 metres, making it ideal for winter pursuits like cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and more. As soon as the white stuff accumulates – and it will with an average annual snowfall of 645 centimetres, visitors with an adventurous spirit should give Le Massif’s incredible sled run on Mount Liguori a try. On a wooden sled, you’ll take a two-hour trip to travel 18 • Vacations ® • Winter 2020-2021
WINTER ESCAPE ON A FATBIKE
7.5-kilometres and descend 757 metres, experiencing twists, turns and spectacular scenery along the way. In La Malbaie, one of Charlevoix’s two main towns, continue the thrill seeking-spirit by tackling the new Via Ferrata on the sprawling grounds of the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. Hike 500 metres up a rock wall, aided by ropes and metal hooks for safety, to catch views of the St. Lawrence River, and navigate over a variety of challenging obstacles. Winter-loving hotel guests can also snowshoe, skate, play hockey or broomball, go snow tubing, ice fish, take off on a snowmobile, or just soak in the outdoor heated pools open year-round. COASTAL VILLAGE OF PORT-AU-PERSIL, CHARLEVOIX
©TOURISME CHARLEVOIX, ROBERT CHIASSON
©TOURISME CHARLEVOIX, ANDRÉ-OLIVIER LYRA
CHARLEVOIX’S METEORIC RISE
