| Ski Travel: Spotlight on Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham |
 |
 |
| TRAVEL & RESORTS - Resort Info & Directory | |
| Written by Lori Knowles / SkiPressWorld.com | |
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 10:33 |
|
|
where European charm meets North American hospitality, people speak your language, and the skies shine ice blue. Ohh, but for those who have experienced it, for those who have zipped down the white slopes and sipped red wine in unforgettable little chalets, they only say, “Mais Oui!. It’s true. It’s all true! Mixing a startlingly fortunate blend of community, culture and topography, Québec exudes both a welcoming warmth and passion for skiing like no place else on earth. The fact it’s so easy to access, by car, plane, train or bus, make it an easy ‘next pick’ on any skiers ‘must ski’ list. And with so many amazing options, we decided to go in-depth on some of the separate wonders of Québec. First Up, Spotlight on Québec City and Area: The intoxicating urban nightlife of Québec City, its classic architecture, fantastic restaurants, myriad of cultural attractions and famous shopping, is all just a jaunt from the adrenalized alpine environment of Mont-Sainte Anne (MSA) and Stoneham. A potent combination of city style and natural adventure, this can feel like the best of two vacations at once. Mont-Sainte-Anne 
Just a short drive from downtown Québec City, Mont-Sainte-Anne really does have everything a skier could ask for, with 66 runs and the long proven pitch of a 2,000 vertical foot drop. Breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River beckon from the groomed runs, while deep glades and deep snow thrill the expert’s heart. For those who raise their heartbeats aerobically rather than vertically, Mont-Sainte-Anne also offers the largest cross-country ski facility in Canada with an impressive trail network extending over 208 km (129 miles). And then of course, another heart-pounding night of excitement in Québec City awaits. MSA Highlights: An eclectic and energizing mix of the best of slopestyle and slopeside action, Stoneham mixes a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere around the mountain, with on-the-hill action that never stops. Just 20 minutes from Québec City, Stoneham’s three mountains offer wild glades, impeccable groomed runs, and some of the best terrain parks and halfpipes on the planet. State-of-the-art construction, grooming and snowmaking, and oft-sited high flying pro athletes can make the parks here seem like a video game come to life. The pubs, restaurants and bars at the base of the mountain glow with warmth well into the night.
|
|
To any passionate skier who has yet to experience the wonder and romance of winter in Québec, all those promises of spectacular hospitality, magical landscapes and superb slopes can seem like a fairy tale– beautiful stories about some Shangri-La of skiing just north of the border, 