Published in: Maine
Sunday Telegram - SKIING
 
“Why Go To Europe, Canada Is
So Close”
By Heather Burke
Date Published: January 28, 2001
Die-hard skiers and riders fantasize about a trek across the
Atlantic to ski the magnificent Alps. Magazines and travel sections
depict the classic alpine ski towns and the impressive mountain peaks.
 Mainers do not have to hop a plane and fly across the big pond to
find European ambiance and extraordinary ski conditions.
If you are looking for an international week of skiing or riding
this year, you might want to look north of the border. Canada has
exceptional snow conditions, superior to Europe - where some World Cup
venues have been moved this season for lack of snow. At nearly 50%
off, thanks to the strong American dollar, it is a bargain to drive to
Quebec.
A trip to Quebec promises skiing and cultural intrigue. The province
is very French, both in language and culture. You get an international
vacation, without jetlag. World-class lodging and exceptional cuisine
are vital ingredients of Canada’s on and off slope experience.
Though Quebec’s ski terrain is not dramatically different from New
England’s, our northern neighbors are ultra-passionate about skiing.
Winter sports are a logical diversion in a locale dominated by
sub-zero temps and big natural snowfalls.
As a result, ski resorts in eastern Canada are serious about
continually upgrading their lift systems and offering a superior
on-snow product.
Also noteworthy, Canadians do not celebrate our Presidents’
birthday week (what a surprise), so our February vacation is not a
holiday in Quebec. Translation, un-crowded slopes during the Maine
school vacation week.
Here are three Quebec ski resorts worth checking out:
 Mont Sainte Anne ski resort is 25 miles northeast of Quebec City, a
six-hour drive from Portland. You can stay in traditional condominium
lodging at the base of Mont Sainte Anne. Or to discover the meaning of
“joie de vivre”, make historic Quebec City your home base and
drive the half hour to the ski area.
In Quebec, you can stay in an ancient castle, sample the authentic
restaurants and pubs and explore magnificent ice sculptures and the
unique ice hotel, part of the world’s largest annual Winter Carnival
atmosphere.
Mont Sainte Anne promotes the slogan “Beauty and The Beast,”
referencing the ski resort’s dichotomy of gentle trails and
spectacular scenery, combined with double black diamonds terrain and
exuberant nightlife.
Sainte Anne has 13 modern lifts, including an impressive base to
summit high-speed gondola and 3 detachable quads. You can ski or ride
on three sides of this mountain, with glorious views of the St.
Lawrence River. This is an expansive ski area with a 2,050-foot
vertical drop that skis like one big mountain - reminiscent of
Sugarloaf.
Mont Sainte-Anne has hosted numerous World Cup events, because of
its unique expert terrain and two regulation half pipes. The Grand
Allee is a one of a kind 280,000 square foot terrain park for skiers
and riders to play in.
 Le Massif is more like Maine’s Big Squaw on a larger scale. This
remote, undiscovered ski area is 62 miles east of Quebec City, with
still more impressive views of the St. Lawrence River.
Le Massif is a powder skier’s dream, due to its isolated location,
which results in no crowds and tons of natural snow. In fact, Le
Massif claims, “the highest vertical drop (at 2,526-feet) and the
most abundant natural snow (at 256-inches annually) east of the
Canadian Rockies.”
This ski area is much more wholesome than Canadian counterparts Mont
Sainte-Anne and Tremblant. As home to the ecological world biosphere,
the trails are all less
than 90 feet in width to minimize environmental impact and no
slopeside development is permitted.
Le Massif is not just a museum however; there is a base to summit
high-speed quad servicing “the best mogul run and the steepest
run,” according to Ski Canada Magazine. All-inclusive lift, lodging
and gourmet meal packages are offered at inns in nearby Baie-Saint-Paul.
Over in the Laurentian mountain range is Mont Tremblant. Tremblant
is a 6.5-hour drive from Portland, 75 miles northwest of Montreal. Ski
Magazine has rated this self-contained resort #1 in Eastern North
America for four consecutive years.
What sets Tremblant apart, and makes it worth the trip, is the $500
million in capital that has been invested since 1997. Award-winning
developer Intrawest (of Whistler-Blackcomb fame) designed a
spectacular slopeside pedestrian village.
 Tremblant’s charming French atmosphere overflows with après ski
diversions from boutiques and cafes to a Disney-like Aqua Club (themed
pool and fitness facility) and even a movie theater.
Tremblant’s ski area covers four sides of the mountain with a
vertical drop of 2,131-feet. With a modern trail layout, contemporary
lifts, and a powerful snowmaking operation, the ski conditions here
are very similar to Sunday River’s.
With 12 high-tech lifts, including an 8-passenger summit gondola, a
cabriolet and five high-speed quads, Tremblant is easy to explore. The
sun exposed South Side is loaded with ego-pleasing cruisers.
The North Side and The Edge offer predominantly black diamond runs
including the 42-degree pitched Dynamite.
Versant Soliel, which debuted last season, opened up naturally
contoured twisty trails and glades. Tremblant’s new Gravity Park,
located under the Flying Mile Express Quad, is getting rave reviews
from riders and sliders as a fun zone open day and night.
This may be the year to drive north and explore what our Canadian
neighbors have to offer. Remember that “après-ski”,
“chute”, and “hors-piste” (off trail skiing) are just a
highlight of key winter sports terms that originated from this
culture.
All Photography by
Greg Burke
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