The idea of creating Polar Rendez-vous in Sainte-Catherine was bold, given the inevitable thaw in southern Quebec. However, the event is already in its third edition.
Since it lasts all winter, you only need to go there in favorable ice or snow conditions. It is 20 minutes from the Samuel De Champlain Bridge.
skate trail
Photo provided by Denis Germain
The ice skating track in the evening. Check the ice conditions before departure.
From the reception pavilion of the RécréoParc, where you can put on your skates, an icy path forms a loop of almost a kilometer that leads into the forest near the campsite. In the evening, fairy lights illuminate the route.
The frozen path communicates with an ice rink frequented by several small families. Children take their first steps on skates. The atmosphere is cheerful.
pedestrian walkways
Photo provided by Alain Demers
The pedestrian paths merge into a cycle path frequented by hikers along the Lachine rapids.
The campsite is criss-crossed by paths whose snow is beaten by the passage of hikers. However, snowshoes can be useful after a snowfall or on less traveled trails.
Unlike other campsites, the trails are like trails that summer campers use to walk to their pitch. The forest area in which we walk is surprising because originally, at the time of Expo 67, when it was a provincial campsite, there were no trees.
The pedestrian paths merge into a cycle path frequented by hikers along the Lachine rapids. I met parents with prams as well as seniors there.
Cafe restaurant with a view
The reception pavilion with the Bambou Café is located near the slide and the ice rink. Sandwiches, hot drinks and pastries are served at the counter.
It’s good to sit in the glass roof where you have a nice view of the Lachine rapids. As a café-restaurant with a view, it’s hard to beat.
polar meeting
- Hourly : to March 5, 2023 (from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
- Admission free, parking: $12
- Skate way: 850 meters
- Toboggan hill (illuminated in the evening)
- Multifunctional trails (9 km): Snowshoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, Fatbike (VPS)
- Dogs : allowed on the trails on a leash
- leasing : Tubes, ice skates, snowshoes, kick sleds (with dog harness), VPS
- Festive and musical evenings
- recreoparc.org
OTHER EXCURSION IDEAS
Magical Brome Lake
Coldbrook Park has become the Garden of Magic Lanterns. Citizens lit the grounds with hundreds of lanterns. It is situated in the pretty village of Knowlton, part of the town of Lac-Brome.
►tourismlacbrome.com
On snowshoes in the north
Plein Air Sainte-Adèle maintains an amazing network of about fifty kilometers of snowshoe trails. Access is free, but a $5 pass is recommended. Tickets available at Porte-du-Nord (exit 51).
►pleinairsteadele.com/
Alain Demers is the author of the book Rediscover Quebec: 101 Destinations, published by Editions du Journal.