The Eastern Townships is the third most popular tourist destination in the province of Québec (after Montreal and Québec City) and attracts more than 6 million visitors each year. The region boasts four Québec parks and four ski centres.
Most of Québec was developed by the French. The Townships however were developed by the Loyalists from New England in the late 18th century. When driving through the quaint towns and villages, you will note the founders’ influence in the unique architecture of homes, churches and historical buildings.
There are so many reasons to visit the townships in the winter, from skiing to snowmobiling, ice fishing and tubing. Here is a sampling of activities to get your planning started:
Downhill Skiing
Owl’s Head, SkiBromont.com, Mont Orford and Sutton attract thousands of skiers and snowboarders annually. Each has their unique features. If you are looking for progression options for beginner skiiers or boarders, Owl’s Head and Bromont offer you excellent choices. Bromont is the only hill in the area to offer night skiing, while Owl’s Head offers the area’s only true ski-in, ski-out accommodations.
We had the pleasure of staying and playing at Owl’s Head in Mansonville. This is a spectacular ski hill with incredible vistas of Lake Memphrémagog. The Auberge (hotel) is not the Chateau Laurier, but if you are comfortable with dated décor and more rustic conditions, Owl’s Head presents an economical ski vacation at a family-friendly resort. Conditions in the Auberge are dorm-like, but rooms are very clean, showers are hot, and you are close to the action, with the Auberge located on the top level of the ski chalet. Rooms in the Auberge can sleep up to 6 people and they also have 1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos with full kitchens.
The hill provides progression opportunities for beginner skiers and many blue and black runs for experienced skiers and the dare-devils in your family. There are lots of runs, and lift line-ups are short, even when the parking lot is full. The resort offers daycare services, a reputable ski school, a boutique, a cafeteria with lots of picnic tables, and a family-friendly bar.
If you are travelling with a group, you can head down to the bar in the evening and pop a movie in the DVD player for the kids to watch on the big screen TV while the adults kick back and relax. Bring some board games, arts and craft supplies, and books to keep little ones entertained. The relaxed atmosphere is sure to make your vacation memorable.
If you are looking to sample local fare, The Auberge has a not-to-be missed, relaxed-atmosphere dining room that features fresh, local ingredients. Much to my surprise, my tween son tried rabbit for the first time and loved it. His parting comments were, “I wish there was more!”
Owl’s Head also has many trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Québec Parks
The Townships are an outdoor mecca with 236 lakes, 23 beaches and four Québec parks. Mont Orford, Yamaska, Frontenac and Mont Mégantic. During winter, hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe. For a truly unique experience, try torch-lit snowshoeing.
Frodo’s Quest at Mont Orford (French only) – March 1, 2014 from 6-8pm, Snowshoe the torch-lit Le Coyote trail and solve the riddle of Frodo’s Quest. Enjoy a hot chocolate by the campfire when you return. Reservations required.
Mont Mégantic National Park Offers torch-lit snowshoeing every Saturday until March 29, 2014. www.parcsquebec.com/megantic
Tubing
There are tubing runs at the Coaticook Gorge and Haut Bois Normand in Eastman, but we played at the brand new Parc du Mont-Hatley. Tows take you up the hill to enjoy 15 tube runs. There is a play area for young children at the foot of the hill.
The chalet has two large rooms with lots of picnic tables. The bistro offers light meals and beverages in a warm and cozy environment.
The tube park is planning an expansion in the next couple of years to include family mountain-rafting. This is sure to become a destination tubing centre. We’ll be back once the expansion is complete.
www.monthatley.com
Granby Zoo
Considered to be among the top 10 animal parks in North America, the Granby Zoo is open in the winter. The zoo features approximately 1,000 animals, representing 200 species. A winter visit to the zoo allows you to observe animal activity different than in summer. The zoo is well laid out with an intimate feel. Amenities are modern. The cafeteria has some treat options, but also offers hot meals and a sandwich bar. There are several scheduled activities each day (even during the winter). We were surprised by two unique animal encounters at the zoo: petting the sting rays and feeding nectar to the birds in the aviary. I tried really hard to pet the sting rays, but they kept surfacing looking for attention, a little more than my nerves could handle. A nice touch was the outdoor fireplaces. The smell of burning wood added to the winter-visit experience!
Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey
Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey overlooks Lake Memphrémagog and is open to the public. The entry hall to the Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey is lined with plaques depicting the history of the Abbey and the life of the monks.
The Benedictine monks produce sparkling cider and a dozen different cheeses, including the award-winning Bleu Bénédictine. All of the products they produce can be purchased in their retail store (closed Sundays).
We attended the 11:00am church service conducted in French and Gregorian chant, a unique experience.
Chefs créateurs
The Chefs créateurs is a group of 19 upscale restaurants that specialize in high-quality regional fare. We had the privilege of dining at Bistro 4 Saisons in Orford. We were welcomed like old friends in this upscale, yet comfortable restaurant. Service was beyond compare. The food was art on a plate and the last bite left us wanting more, not that we had any room left…Well except perhaps for desert! www.bistro4saisons.com
You can also sample regional fare at one of the 16 Cafés de village, a network of small eateries located throughout the Townships, in villages such as Danville (Mante du Carré), Eastman (Café Les Trois Grâces) and Dunham (Les Sucreries de l’Érable).
Other attractions you may wish to consider while you are in the area:
- Sherbrooke’s Museum of Science and Nature
- ASTROLab in Mont-Mégantic National Park
- Alpaca farms Domaine des Nobles Alpagas in Lac-Brome (Knowlton), the Ferme Criadorable in Dudswell or Les Alpagas de la ferme Norli in Bromont.
Worth noting if you’re coming from the west, the new toll bridge/Highway 30 allows you to by-pass Montreal. However, if you have the time, you may choose to stop in Montreal for a couple of days too!
For more family-friendly vacation ideas, visit the Tourism Eastern Townships website www.easterntownships.org.
Butter Tarts – An Ooey Gooey Treat
LOVE this post!! It’s so nice to read an article from someone visiting my area… and seeing it through fresh eyes! I have yet to go to Granby Zoo during the winter! Thanks for letting me know that we can go tubing at Mont Hatley… I didn’t know that!
This makes me want to learn to ski better than my current “bunny hill permanent resident” status.
You paint a lovely picture. Speaking of pictures, your photos are gorgeous!
I love the Eastern Townships; we travel back and forth from Ontario to Lennoxville where two of my three attend Bishop’s University. We spent the last Thanksgiving there, going horseback riding at
Centre d’équitation Jacques Robidas and they had a lovely dinner beside the water in North Hatley. I would easily recommend a vacation in the Eastern Townships, it is a beautiful area.
Ah, this is making me want to go to Canada! Though I will skip the snowboarding, thank you very much! That looks scary!
wow, we have never visited this region of Canada. I really want to plan a trip now after reading your post
The plans for Mont Hatley family rafting look sooooo cool. I can’t wait until they open the new runs! Hope you like the zoo. We had a really great time.
We really had to narrow down our list of activities while we were in the Eastern Townships. There is so much to do. You really don’t have to go skiing to fill your days with fun!
Thank you for the horseback riding suggestion. We can’t wait to go back and play!
Come for the food. Ohhhh the food 🙂
You can’t go wrong. There really is something for everyone! Be sure to check out the Eastern Townships Tourism website. They list all kinds of wonderful activities.
I love all these snowy adventures. That torchlit snowshoeing sounds incredible!
This is only a few hours from where we live, I like the idea of taking a trip. My kids have been studying French, so we could do this and call it an educational field trip
I’ve never been to Quebec, and truthfully had no idea about the Eastern Townships. There’s so much to do there, especially all the outdoor activities!
I have never been to Quebec, only just over the US border to Canada – what a beautiful country!
My daughter would love the zoo! How fun!
I am so over snow, but that zoo looks AMAZING!! I totally want to come pet a stingray!
So my family could go skiing and I could go to see the animals! PERFECT vacay for me 🙂
Quebec sounds wonderful.
That zoo picture is incredible!
Sounds like fun! Ski during the day and eat good food at night. Sign me up for Canada!
I love all the fun things there is to do there! I really want to travel up that way soon!
The snow adventures look like so much fun! The landscape is breathtaking.
Thanks for sharing a great destination… I sooo have to check it out, we’ve been looking for some snow during our Spring Break vacation and this may just be the place to go… loved your pictures.
Sadly, most of our pictures of the torch-lit snowshoeing didn’t turn out. It is quite a magical experience.
All in the name of education, bien sure!
We wanted to try ice fishing in Magog and simply ran out of time. We packed everything into a weekend. I’d like to go back for a longer trip and enjoy the quaint villages and play even more!
Pack your bags!
This was the first time that we visited a zoo in the winter. It was a very different (and enjoyable) experience. There were a lot of people there, but I’m sure nothing compared to the crowds in the summer months. It’s a great time to enjoy the zoo. Bundle up!
My “mind” wanted to pet the stingrays but my “body” had a totally different idea! I hope you decide to take a trip. And the Eastern Townships has just as much to do all year round.
Something for everyone … perfect!
Some of the photos were provided by Tourism Eastern Townships. I can’t take credit for all of them. Glad you like them though 🙂
At the risk of being repetitive … oooooh, the food!
Whether you go for a weekend or a week, you’re sure to keep busy. Have fun!
It is a spectacular area. The vistas of Lake Memphremagog are breathtaking. We arrived in the dark and the winding roads were a little treacherous in a snow storm, but it sure was jaw-dropping gorgeous when we woke up to the trees filled with snow.
They have LOTS of snow. It’s a winter-lover’s paradise.
You should Tammilee. Canada is gorgeous from coast to coast.
You could enjoy the hot chocolate and Beaver Tails 😉