The Eastern Townships are within easy reach of major cities and with their snow-capped mountains and stunning landscapes, rank among Quebec’s prime winter destinations, attracting millions of visitors every year. The region offers a wide range of outdoor and leisure activities, as well as
numerous cultural events. The choice of accommodations and restaurants are second to none!
Young and old are sure to enjoy this winter more than ever. Throughout the region, more than 60 new (or upgraded) attractions and activities have come on the market, ready for the tourism season. The region offers a multitude of experiences to appeal to all tastes, no matter the weather. Indeed, a good third of the Townships’ attractions are accessible during the winter and, of
course, so are all the restaurants and accommodations. Even in inclement driving conditions, the majority of our tourism attractions (within specific areas), are situated physically close to one another, so there’s no need to battle the elements for miles and miles!
A winter playground
The region is home to six ski resorts, a number of outdoor adventure centres, over 1,000 km of cross-country trails, several hundred kilometres of trails for fat biking and unlimited opportunities to go skating, sliding and snowshoeing!
Our ski resorts have invested millions of dollars in state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment so even during periods of thaw or rain, the trails remain skiable. It’s worth noting that while it might rain downtown in the city, the weather can be very different in the mountains. Our 50 or so lofty peaks typically have more than enough snow for winter activities. There also tends to be some variations in weather between one area of the Townships and another, so it’s simply a question of finding out which one has the best conditions…. The lure of our snow-kissed peaks!
Downhill skiing is one of the major activities in the region. There are six ski centres, four of which are within a 30-minute drive of one another – Mont SUTTON (the best glade skiing in Canada, covering close to half of its terrain), Owl’s Head (50 trails offering panoramic views of Lake
Memphremagog), Mont Orford (three peaks and the highest vertical drop in the region) and Bromont, montagne d”experiences. The latter has the largest illuminated ski area in North America – 150 trails, of which 104 are lit in the evening, so you can continue to ski after the sun has gone down!
As in previous years, the ski centres have upgraded their infrastructure providing skiers and snowboarders with the best possible facilities. After a day on the slopes, they can enjoy memorable après-ski experiences – a glass of local wine or beer in a cozy ski chalet, comfort food at a restaurant
situated at the base of a mountain or even on the summit (!) or better still, by attending one of the on-site festive events.
Endless activities surrounded by Mother Nature…..
Winter hiking, which can be enjoyed at around 70 locations across the region, is another popular activity. Some 275 trails, totalling more than 1,000 kilometres, are at the disposal of those who love walking in the crisp, winter air. The Sentiers de l’Estrie and the Sentiers frontaliers, (including
Mont Gosford), are among the top five winter hiking venues in Quebec.
Along the 200-km Route des Sommets (Summit Drive) you’ll find lookout points with panoramic views and don’t miss Mont Megantic National Park with its “snow ghosts” – trees heavily laden with snow, giving them an other-worldly appearance… The Park lies within an International Dark
Sky Reserve (the first one designated as such) allowing star gazers a great opportunity to admire the heavens. (The ASTROLab runs astronomy evenings – Saturdays, from January 25 onwards.)
This winter, “Austrian” tobogganing returns to Mont Megantic National Park, an activity that is fun but also good exercise! Mont Megantic is just one of four national and two regional parks in the Eastern Townships offering a wide range of winter attractions. 17 kilometres of fat bike trails meander around the Parc de la Gorge in Coaticook. Families in particular, will love a winter activity adopted from Scandinavia and growing in popularity in Quebec – swishing across the white stuff on a snow scooter! (The admission price also includes access to the skating rink.)
There are a couple of great outdoor spots for skating (weather permitting) – the linear park in Magog (it turns into an ice rink in winter) and the pond at Domaine Howard, a historic site in Sherbrooke. In addition to all these activities, the Eastern Townships hosts a slew of winter events and festivals
– the Carnaval de Sherbrooke, the Fête des neiges de Magog and the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt, to name a few.
Take a road trip through the region
A great way to explore the Eastern Townships is to take a road trip. The region has a number of designated tourist routes designed around different themes – spectacular scenery, historic sites, food (or a combination thereof) and so on, each route revealing a new adventure!
Have you visited the Eastern Townships? Which is your favourite hill or winter activity to do in the region?
