In order to be able to practice their favorite sport undisturbed in this snowless, windy and rainy winter, cross-country skiers do not hesitate to improve their address book. Here are some cross-country skiing destinations on the outskirts of Quebec.
1) Path of the Caps de Charlevoix
Photo courtesy of Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix
Located at an altitude of 800 meters in the heart of the inhabited forest of the massif, the reception of the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix (61, Chemin du Massif, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François) snows early in the season. Its 35 km of cross-country trails (mostly classic) meander between 400-year-old trees and cross three refuges to warm up and even sleep there. Two of them enjoy stunning views of the river, L’Isle-aux-Coudres, Les Éboulements and the south bank, offering a great reward for cross-country skiers taking the hilly trails.
► traildescaps.com
2) Stoneham cross-country skiing
Photo courtesy of Ski de Fond Stoneham
The Ski de fond Stoneham (56, 1re Avenue, Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury), born in 2021 from a voluntary initiative, lays out its trails on the course of the golf club of the same name, whose relatively flat descent is a delight for cross-country skiers of all levels . You have access to more than 15 km of trails accessible in classic step and almost 7 km dedicated to skating. As soon as it is open, the magic forest enchants the small children.
► skidefondstoneham.ca
3) Camp Mercier
Camp Mercier is located in the Laurentides Conservation Area (km 94, Route 175) and offers snow conditions that will delight winter lovers. Cross-country skiers go there to cover its 50 km of classic trails and its 20 km of trails preferred by skating enthusiasts. The new Mercier Camp offers ski rentals for trips into the boreal forest.
► sepaq.com/rf/lau/camp-mercier/
4) Massif du Sud Regional Park
Photo provided by Stéphanie Allard/Tourisme Chaudière-Appalaches
With more than 24 km of multifunctional trails (classic cross-country skiing and fat bike) lined with heated shelters, the Massif du Sud Regional Park (300, Route du Massif, Saint-Philémon) offers the opportunity to prolong the pleasure of skiing. Spend one or more nights in a lodging in the middle of an ancient forest. At a classic pace, cross-country skiers admire the snowy panoramas and the waterways while practicing their favorite sport.
► massifdusud.com/activites/skidefond
5) Duchesnay resort
Through the maple groves and moors of the Duchesnay forest, then along the majestic Lac Saint-Joseph, there are 36 km of trails for classic hiking and 25 km of trails reserved for skating, offered by the Duchesnay tourist station (140 , Montée de l’Auberge , Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier). When a cross-country skiing holiday takes on a holiday feel, you can extend your stay in the various on-site accommodations.
► sepaq.com/ct/duc/