It starts simply with the way one is greeted on the slopes — with a kiss on either cheek instead of a traditional handshake, and an effortless “Bonjour!” that turns a simple greeting into something heartfelt and genuine.

There’s more. The European approach extends to Québec ski country’s restaurants and bars, known locally as le bar, le café, le resto… or, perhaps even… le bistro. Québec chefs take special interest in slopeside cuisine, serving everything from la poutine (a sinful yet hearty mix of french fries, cheese curds and gravy) to coq au vin with effortless aplomb. Lunch on the slopes takes on a whole new meaning.

And yet, English-speaking skiers do not need to speak the French language to enjoy skiing in Québec. Many people at the ski areas of this province are capable of speaking both of Canada’s official languages and will take the time to answer visitor’s questions… including “Where’s the best place to eat?”

The Hills are Alive with Joie de Vivre!

The quintessential Québec ski lifestyle is evident everywhere a skier looks in the Laurentians region of the province. Mont Tremblant, Mont Saint Sauveur, Mont Blanc — all three are nestled in the natural beauty of the rolling Laurentian hills, where snow falls generously from November to April, and snowmaking is state of the art.

Photo courtesy of Tremblant and MSSI (bottom)

Tremblant, the giant of the Laurentians, has 654 skiable acres and 95 trails — including one that’s nearly four miles long! Another Laurentian sweetheart, Mont Saint Sauveur, is formidable in its own right, with 38 runs, eight lifts and nightskiing on 79% of its trails. Known as the Laurentians’ family ski vacation center, Mont Blanc has a 1,000-foot vertical drop, 41 runs, seven lifts and a magic carpet to make skiing easier for the little ones.

Winter in the Laurentians region also means festivals, cultural activities and outdoor sports galore, from cross-country skiing to snowmobiling, dogsledding, skating, snow rafting, tubing, snowshoeing.

Skiers get to experience Tremblant’s nightlife to the fullest when they stroll the pedestrian streets of the European-style village for some well deserved après-ski! www.bonjourquebec.com/ski

Quintessential Québec: The Québec City Region

Photo courtesy of Mont Ste-Anne and Mont-Blanc (bottom)

The ski life at Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham in the Québec City region is synonymous with all the fine aspects of skiing. From Mont-Sainte-Anne’s expansive terrain (66 trails, 465 acres), its copious annual snowfall (475 cm) and extensive ski season (November to April) to the notorious parks, pipes and nightlife of Stoneham, a ski week in the Québec City region will always be remembered.

Photo courtesy Stoneham

Top it off with a stroll through the old city of Québec. Magical Québec City, only minutes away from both Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham, has been established for more than 400 years. World-class restaurants, vibrant nightlife, great shopping and gorgeous architecture, plus must-see cultural attractions abound in the enchanting old capital.

A stroll through this vibrant old town will put the perfect cap on the ultimate Quebec ski vacation. www.bonjourquebec.com/ski

Villages, Inns, Copious Snow & Magnificent Views

Photo courtesy Orford

Adding to the province of Quebec’s European flavor are many quaint villages nestled in bucolic valleys, plus boutiques and artists’ workshops, cultural events and cozy inns.

The Eastern Townships, for example, located southeast of Montreal, is a collection of quaint villages filled with the sights, sounds, and the fine skiing of Québec.

Its ski areas include Sutton, Bromont, Owl’s Head and Orford.

Photo courtesy of Sutton

Sutton is home to awesome bump and glade runs as well as copious quantities of natural snow. Bromont is seven hillsides and 129 trails chock-a-block with non-stop day and night skiing fun. Orford is three magnificent peaks in a bountiful provincial park with something for winter sports fan. And Owl’s Head is where families gather to feast on the delicious fall line and the equally sumptuous views of Lake Memphremagog.

Photo courtesy Owl's Head

Photo courtesy of Bromont

If all that sounds like too much, relax in the plethora of intimate inns, welcoming B & Bs and award-winning spas you’ll find in the Eastern Townships. www.bonjourquebec.com/ski



Slopeside Cuisine: Fewer Fried Foods, More Flavour!

Excelling at fine slopeside cuisine is the ski area of Le Massif, in the ski region of Charlevoix. Its dining rooms and pubs take ski dining to a new level. Fried foods are disallowed. Chefs concentrate instead on balanced meals, including steaming hot soups and generous servings of meat, fish and seafood, pizzas, pastas, paninis and vegetarian dishes.

Photo courtesy Le Massif

As for its skiing, Le Massif has a 770-metre vertical and 410 acres of skiable terrain, from long winding trails to glades, bumps and steeps. Best part? Le Massif’s 34 acres of unique off-trail skiing. Because of its proximity to the St. Lawrence River, Le Massif offers breathtaking sceneries and receives annual precipitation of about 630 cm per year! (www.bonjourquebec.com/ski)

Nearby is Mont Grand-Fonds, a Charlevoix treat with generous helpings of natural snow (650 cm per year!) and a 335-metre vertical drop. Located at La Malbaie in the heart of the Charlevoix region, this charming, family-friendly ski area has 14 runs, a terrain park, a tube ride, and 160 km (98 miles) of cross-country ski trails. To whet your appetite, be assured Mont Grand-Fonds restaurant serves up daily Charlevoix delicacies! (www.bonjourquebec.com/skii)

Photo courtesy of Mont Grand-Fonds