With Canadians being urged by the likes of Destination Canada to stay close to home for holidays this year (and, to date, having little other choice), the spotlight is on domestic destinations and opportunities to entice travellers. From outdoor activities to lodgings, milestones and the annual sugar season, here’s a quick look at some new and notable developments, ideas and opportunities in La Belle province:
Québec is the world’s leading maple syrup producer and visiting a cabane à sucre is a quintessential springtime ritual in the province. Each year in March and April, locals and visitors head into the woods to enjoy some tree tapping before tasting sticky maple taffy on snow and tucking into warm meals bathed in sweet syrup.
Bonjour Québec’s website offers plenty of resources for travellers seeking out a traditional sugaring off experience, including a comprehensive Sugar Shack directory with more than 125 listings for rustic and contemporary venues organized by region and price point. While many of Québec’s sugar shacks will be operating with limited capacity this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are still plenty of spots where visitors can indulge their sweet-tooth:
• Domaine du Petit Saint-Joseph: This quaint, family-owned sugar bush, orchard and cider house is perched on a mountainside in the Laurentians region. During a typical sugaring season, Domaine du Petit Saint-Joseph offers tractor rides, guided tours, all-you-can-eat maple taffy and live musicians singing folk songs. This year, guests can pick up ready-to-cook meals inspired by traditional sugar shack cuisine.
• Sucrerie de la Montagne: Tucked away in a century-old maple forest about an hour from Montréal, Sucrerie de la Montagne is an all-season heritage destination that has been in operation for more than 40 years. Visitors can explore the 120-acre sugar bush and enjoy guided tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, and hearty Québécois cuisine.
• Le Vignoble du Ruisseau: Part vineyard, part sugar bush, Le Vignoble du Ruisseau is a must-visit attraction in the renowned grape-growing region of Dunham. The contemporary new-style sugar bush boasts 15,000 certified organic maple tree taps and is known for its upscale multi-course tasting menus. An on-site boutique is stocked with fine wines and gourmet maple products like maple butter, handmade caramels and candies, and maple-glazed nuts.
Immersive experience
Art and technology come together at Montreal’s new OASIS Immersion
Canada’s largest indoor immersive experience is set to open in Montréal this winter. Located on the ground floor of Palais des congrès de Montréal, OASIS immersion is an innovative no-contact, multi-sensory attraction equipped with state-of-the-art surround sound systems and wall-to-floor video projectors. The permanent 21,500-sq.-ft. exhibition space features three sensory galleries, two dazzling light installations, and a lounge area with an on-site café and boutique.
Developed in coordination with local artists and musicians, the opening exhibition at OASIS is titled ‘Inspirations’ and evokes themes of optimism, resilience, creativity and following your dreams. The feel-good exhibit will feature 105 laser projectors showcasing audiovisual footage of astronaut David Saint-Jacques, pianist Alexandra Stréliski and YouTuber Émile Roy.
The venue will open to the public once health authorities authorize the reopening of multimedia exhibitions in Montreal.
Gin with a twist
Located in the scenic Lanaudière region – also known as Nouvelle-Acadie – La Distillerie Grand Dérangement pays homage to the thousands of Acadians who were deported from Canada in 1755 during the Grand Dérangement (Great Upheaval). In November, the micro distillery launched SAGA Grand Gin, the first certified organic gin to be produced in the province. A complex, balanced spirit produced in the grain-to-glass method, the dry gin reflects the terroir of the region and features a blend of 18 locally grown grains, herbs and spices. The distinct collector’s edition bottles are dipped in a vibrant yellow wax and adorned with black-and-white images of four individuals who exemplify the courage and spirit of the Acadian people.
Open-air museum
A new open-air museum has popped up on the frozen shores of Auberge des Îles in Saint-Gédéon. At Muéee de la Glace, visitors navigate an icy 2-km. circuit using skis, snowshoes or on foot while visiting seven educational stations. Combining history and science, the family-friendly outdoor exhibition aims to enlighten visitors of all ages on the phenomenon of glaciology via informative panels that cover everything from the formation of snowflakes to climate change to the art of ice cream making. Adventurous individuals seeking a below-zero experience can extend their stay on the ice overnight in a secluded Igloft, a remote insulated cabin set amidst the frozen landscape of Lac Saint-Jean.
Village Val David celebrates 100 years
The picturesque village of Val David celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. While the official programming for the centennial festivities has been postponed until June, the charming village is already decked out in colourful décor and banners inspired by the colours and textures of the work of local artist René Derouin.
The small, laid-back francophone village in the Laurentian Mountains is home to numerous artisans, craftspeople and boutiques where visitors can shop for one-of-a-kind handmade items. Nearby Le Parc régional de Val-David-Val-Morin is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and offers recreational activities for all seasons. In addition to being one of the most popular rock-climbing destinations in Eastern Canada, the park features 2,000 acres of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing and sledding.
Public art tour
Art and culture fans looking for a safe, socially distant road trip idea can take a self-guided tour of the public art installations and colourful murals in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Dozens of large-scale wall murals, sculptures and imaginative fresco pieces can be found in rural areas and urban centres throughout the region, with featured works by local artists such as Jacques Baril, Frank Polson and Karl Chevrier. An online map is available to help visitors plot out their route along the art circuit and provide background information on the creative individuals behind the artworks.
Call of the Wild
Québec’s rugged outdoor landscape provides a picturesque backdrop for an escape in nature. From lakeside lodges to rugged cabins and whimsical treehouses, here are a few ideas for visitors looking to get off-the-grid and enjoy an immersive stay in the wilderness:
• Les Pieds sur Terre: Visitors can sleep under the stars while enjoying all the comforts of home at this unique eco-lodging site tucked away deep in the forest in the village of Saint-Calixte at the border of the Laurentians and Lanaudière. Les Pieds sur Terre offers a number of different spherical bubble accommodations equipped with transparent roofs that reveal the beauty of the surrounding treetops. Bubbles are connected to small or large cabins that feature full kitchen and bathroom facilities and private outdoor jacuzzi tubs. Guests can also opt to stay in an elevated treehouse cottage or a fully insulated teepee-style Tiny House.
• Zoobox Shelters: Nestled among 1,000 acres of protected Boreal forest within Québec’s picturesque Eastern Townships, eco-friendly Zoobox Shelters are designed in harmony with nature. The cedar-covered glamping structures are 100% energy self-sufficient and are appointed with modern comforts and playful features like energy-producing stationary bikes, suspended beds and rock-climbing walls.
• BESIDE Cabins: Inspired by traditional pioneer cabins and fishermen’s boathouses, this brand-new outdoor housing project is slated to open in Lanaudière this winter. The BESIDE complex features 75 thoughtfully designed rental cabins set amidst 900 acres of tranquil private parklands and lakes.
• Hôtel Sacacomie: Natural beauty meets modern luxury at this enchanting log-constructed hotel in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. Bordering the Mastigouche wildlife reserve, Hôtel Sacacomie blends in seamlessly with the surrounding forest and offers stunning views overlooking majestic Lac Sacacomie and all-season activities. The well-appointed lodge has a gourmet restaurant specializing in local cuisine and a GEO Spa with indoor and outdoor baths.