Ski You Soon: Why Charlevoix-Québec City Should Be Your Next Vacation Spot

Most Canadians know this beautiful, culturally rich region of Québec, but if you aren’t familiar, pay attention, especially if you are a skier or snowboarder.

There are a lot of reasons to visit the Québec-Charlevoix region in the winter. The geography and geology are spectacular, there are still small villages that date back hundreds of years, you’re close to the shopping, restaurants and nightlife of Québec City, and, most importantly, there’s an abundance of snow.

Charlevoix-Québec boasts one of the most scenic and geologically interesting landscapes in Québec. Its sublime valleys, metamorphic peaks, and fertile farmlands were impacted by a massive meteorite some 400 million years ago (and subsequent glaciation).

The meteorite created the forty-mile-wide crater that is the heart of Québec's Charlevoix region, ranging from just west of Baie-Saint-Paul to just east of La Malbaie. Today, the area is home to 90 percent of Charlevoix residents.

Not only is the region rich in flora and fauna, but the terrain is ideal for adventure. This is where many of the original French immigrants “Coureurs de Bois” settled in 1500 and 1600’s; by the 1800s, the town of La Malbaie was already a resort destination for Europeans, Canadians and Americans.

It’s an ideal place to reconnect with nature, recharge, and find incredibly fun skiing and snowboarding for recreationalists of all abilities. Whether you are enjoying snow sports at Le Massif de Charlevoix; this is the spot for adventure.

Charlevoix is also a place where local farmers, producers, artisans and chefs blend together to produce the region’s unique gastronomy. You’ll find locally grown fruits and vegetables (the fresh currants and apples are extraordinary), small-batch cheese, locally-grown mushrooms, and everything from European-style pastries, home-made bread, to craft beer and local wine.

Where is Charlevoix?

Charlevoix (Canada, not to be confused with the eponymous town in Michigan), is about an hour’s drive from Québec City (four from Montréal, nine from Toronto and six hours from Boston, and just over five hours from Ottawa).

The closest airport is Jean Lesage International Airport in Québec City. At more than 2,300 square miles, the region is big.

It’s shaped like a mountain peak tipped to the side, with the base running northeast to southwest along the St. Lawrence River, and the “peak” jutting northwest, deep into the massive hardwood and pine forests that make up this part of Canada.

The region was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1989 due to its rich geography and unique biodiversity.

You’ll find the culture relaxed, adventurous, and fun-loving. The towns are small, but you’ll always find a friendly pub, gourmet restaurant, or local art shop.

From wandering the Pointe-au-Pic’s Rue du Quai in La Malbaie to visiting the villages of Pointe-au-Pic and Cap-à-l’Aigle along the St. Lawrence River, to shredding impeccably groomed runs for everyone from beginner to expert, there’s plenty to see, ski, experience, and discover.

Québec City

In a country as large as Canada, it’s rare to have the close juxtaposition of city and country, but Québec City is just that.

From the Plains of Abraham to the walled city of Old Québec, the only fortified city north of Mexico, you’ll be a part of more than 400 years of history. Not only is it an excellent year-round destination, but also an exotic one, with plenty of Québécois culture to soak up.

Québec City’s fortified district has the flavor of an old European town, with narrow cobblestone streets and neoclassical buildings. You can take advantage of the city’s museums, galleries, boutique clothes shops, great restaurants and pubs and still get in a solid day of skiing.

Or you can join a good number of locals who, after finishing work, pack up and hit the slopes for excellent piste runs and an end-of-the-evening sundowner (both Le Relais and Stoneham Resorts are within a 30-minute drive of the city centre).

The region offers some of the best night skiing in the country, with affordable rates and a hefty number of well-lit runs. Québec City is an ideal destination for groups that combine avid snow sport enthusiasts with those who prefer whiling away the day shopping, visiting cultural sites, and enjoying the vibrant café scene.

It’s also a foodie’s heaven, and ideal for those who prefer whiling away the day shopping, visiting cultural sites and enjoying the gastronomic pleasures that are a specialty of this area.

Where Can you Ski in Québec City and in Charlevoix?

First, know that the Charlevoix/Québec City areas generally have excellent snow.

There’s plenty of the natural stuff, although all ski areas in the region also augment with man-made snow which is dependable due to early season cold temps and plenty of water.

There are five excellent spots to ski in Charlevoix/Québec City:

Le Massif de Charlevoix has the highest vertical drop east of the Rocky Mountains. The resort is tucked between the St. Lawrence River and the mountains.

Le Massif (as it’s known to the locals), boasts 53 trails (406.3 acres), plus some great off-piste (glade runs that are never groomed). Due to the “river effect,” of the St. Lawrence, snow is plentiful, with an average of 254 inches annually (and excellent snow making for when Mother Nature is taking a vacation).

Skiers and non-skiers alike will love the exhilarating 7.5 km sled run, plus there’s plenty of backcountry for alpine touring, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

There are great hotels and lodges; the most recent addition being the all-inclusive, luxury Club Med Le Massif with its excellent spa and gourmet food and a variety of accommodations in nearby Baie-Saint-Paul.

Mont-Sainte-Anne is only 40 km from Québec City. The resort boasts nearly 2,000 vertical feet of skiing over three distinct faces, one that looks across the St. Lawrence River, and two more on the back side of the mountain.

You can test your skills on black diamond runs or stick to cruiser classics like La Super S and La Crête. The night skiing offers the highest lit vertical drop in Canada. There are 71 trails (19 are lit for night skiing). You can stay at the hill, or in Québec City.

Stoneham, just 20 minutes from Québec City, offers one of the largest night ski operations in Canada. The resort has 43 trails, spread over three mountains. While all ski resorts in the area are family friendly, Stoneham is a favorite for kids as there are three terrain parks and the only Olympic sized halfpipe in Québec.

The freestyle community at Stoneham is avid and friendly. Vertical relief is just over 1,000 feet, and the area is known for its lively après-ski festivities.

Le Relais is the closest resort to Québec City, and the short 15-minute drive makes it the go-to spot for locals to head for night skiing.

While there is a thriving singles crowd, it is a great family mountain; chances are you can fill the 6-person chair lift with your own pack. Tickets are well-priced, and 28 out of the 33 trails are illuminated at night (plus there are 4 snowparks, all of which are lit for night skiing).

The vertical drop is a decent 675 feet; our favorite run to work our turns is La Gaby-Pleau that winds from the top down to the base.

Mont Grand-Fonds is known for its excellent snow, affordable lift tickets, night skiing, and proximity to the town of La Malbaie. It’s in a regional park and has a vertical drop of just over 1000-feet. You’ll get beautiful views, and some excellent trails for all ability levels that duck through glades and picturesque undergrowth.

There are 14 ski trails (many lit at night), and 140 km of cross-country skiing. The resort gets nearly 200 inches of natural snow, annually. The Pub Le Sommet has excellent food, live music (check the schedule) and a wide assortment of brews from the Microbrasserie Charlevoix.

Where to stay? City or Ski-In, Ski-Out Lodging, Picturesque Lodges

Whether you stay in Québec City, a ski-in, ski-out resort, or something in between, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few of our favorite options.

No visit to the area is complete without a stay in the historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (in Charlevoix) and the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (in Québec City). The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, a grand French-chateau-style luxury hotel, is tucked into the forests that line the St. Lawrence River is the grand French-chateau-style luxury hotel.

It was built in the 1800s to host train travelers heading west, many who were adventurers aspiring to explore Canada’s peaks, forests, and rivers.

The hotel, near the equally historic town of La Malbaie, has 405 well-appointed rooms and suites, four dining choices, and plenty of entertainment for skiers and non-skiers alike. For visitors to Québec City, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a famous spot for viewing the old city and St. Lawrence River, or staying in one of the 610 well-appointed rooms and suites.

The historic hotel opened in 1893 and has had significant remodels to blend modern luxury with old-world flavor. A modern touch is the rooftop garden with honeybee hives that produce more than 600 pounds of honey annually.

The Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa is a more modern experience that’s tailored for both individual travelers and families. Located between the shores of Baie-Saint-Paul and the Charlevoix mountains, this is a terrific place to recharge, experience local gastronomy, and it offers a unique, authentic experience where local gastronomy and relaxation are at the forefront of your visit.

For the adventurous at heart, a visit to the Hôtel de Glace, the only (that we know of) ice hotel in North America is a must.

It’s made entirely of snow and ice; the bed is frozen, but the mattress and blankets are real (and warm and cozy). You can order a cocktail, served in a glass made out of ice, of course, or entertain yourself on the ice slide.

And there’s more….

Next to an après ski glass of bière froide or vin chaud, there’s little we like more than a trip to a thermal bath. Strøm Spa, in Old Québec, is just steps from the majestic St. Lawrence River. The architecture is award-winning, so make sure you take a look around before sinking into the warm, relaxing water.

The Sky Spa is set on a rooftop patio atop the Complexe Jules-Dallaire in Sainte-Foy. You can have a drink, relax, and watch the snowfall in the winter, complete with a gorgeous view of the St. Lawrence River. Both spas are great anytime, but especially after skiing, or a spectacular day of ice climbing on the 272-foot-high Chute Montmorency (there are guides if you’re not an experienced climber).

Or get your dog fix at La Reine et Le Millionnaire, where sled dogs rule. You can spend the day wandering through the German-style Christmas Market in old town Québec City (pro tip: the sausage is not to be missed).

And don’t forget that this region is home to some beautiful parks. Check out a snow-shoe adventure in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviére-Malbaie National Park; The Grands-Jardins National Park is also a terrific spot for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or just taking in all the beauty that the Québec-Charlevoix region has to offer.