Best Winter Escapes in Canada

Here in Canada, we have some of the best Winter Escapes all the way from the West in Whistler, British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies in Alberta to the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec. We have been honoured here in Canada to host two Winter Olympics in Calgary in 1988 and in Vancouver in 2010. These places boast majestic mountains, some rough and challenging terrain not for the faint of heart but also some spectacular scenery for everyone to appreciate. For the Winter sports enthusiasts, visiting these places are a gem and loads of fun. But for spectators like me, I am thankful to be able to visit some of these beautiful places particularly Whistler, British Columbia and Mont Tremblant in Quebec.

WHISTLER

My best friend, Lorelei and I visited Whistler in British Columbia by driving a few hours from Vancouver. We drove along a scenic route passing by majestic mountains and lakes. One of the best places to stay in Whistler is at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. After visiting all the way to the top to see Blackcomb Glacier, we stopped at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for some Afternoon Tea. 

Whistler and Blackcomb are two side-by-side mountains which combined offer over 200 marked runs, 8,171 acres of terrain, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, receives on average 1,174 centimetres (462 inches) of snow annually, and one of the longest ski seasons in North America. In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb offers a variety of activities, including hiking and biking trails, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and sightseeing on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.(Whistler Blackcomb)

We spotted some Black Bears on our way down riding the Ski Lift. 

ALBERTA

 I have never been to Banff and Jasper, Alberta but they boast one of the most beautiful skiing places to visit. Even if you are not a skier, like me, I would love to visit Banff and Jasper, Alberta one day. Both cities are known as the Canadian Rockies and are both Resort towns. Banff, is one of the National Parks here in Canada as it is surrounded with majestic mountains, glaciers and lakes. My friends who have visited both Banff and Jasper told me that as they drove along to visit the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, they saw deer, moose and Bears along the Highway. Visitors really get so close to nature and the wildlife when visiting these Resort towns. 

(Photo credits: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Fairmont Jasper Lodge)

QUEBEC

Mont Tremblant is a two hours drive North of Montreal in Quebec. The town is located in the Laurentian Mountains and also boasts one of the best skiing places in Canada. The town is also a fun place to visit during the Spring and Summer time as you would see in my photos here. We visited during the Labour Day Weekend and it was still bustling with summer activities. Just imagine during Winter how busy this place is with all of the avid skiers and other Winter Sports enthusiasts. 

To learn more about Summer Adventures at Mont Tremblant, view my post Bienvenue a Mont Tremblant.

The town has a lower village where most of the Major Hotels are located plus restaurants and shops which I featured on my previous post Mont Tremblant Lower Village.

Skiing here at Mont Tremblant is not for the faint of heart. But look at the spectacular views from the top.

The Peak at Mont Tremblant.

Lastly, one of the best Winter Escapes here in Canada is in Quebec City, about two hours drive going East from Montreal. Every Year, the City celebrates the Quebec Winter Carnival from January 31 to February 16 where the whole City comes alive with Winter festivities like parades, outdoor shows, Ice Canoe racing among other events. Quebec City is also a great place to discover the French Food, Architecture, Culture, Art and Entertainment in North America. The best place to stay in Quebec City is at the majestic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac as shown in the photo above. (Photo credit:  Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac). Then about thirty minutes drive from the City is the spectacular skiing town of Mont Ste Anne.

The best way to beat Winter is to go out and explore these spectacular Canadian Winter Cities.  
Enjoy every moment!

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Mont Tremblant: Lower Village

Lower Village, Mont Tremblant.

As you read in my last weekend's post, the Upper Village in Mont Tremblant was full of summer adventure and action. There are restaurants up there too but the Lower Village here is full of shops and also restaurants. We walked along the alleys and discovered a Patisserie offering some french style sweets, a fresh fruits drink place to quench our thirst, a creperie and a BonBon place for the kids and the kid at heart. Mont Tremblant truly never stops to welcome everybody from the sports-minded to the foodie lover. 

Some Patisseries to devour.

Our freshly made smoothies made from fresh fruits. 

An Ice-cream parlour.

Creperie.

We had to stop here for my niece and nephew. Also for the adults. I love cotton candy! 

Place BonBon for the kids and Kid at heart...Look at all of the jelly beans in their beautiful colours. Both the kids were in awe in this store. 

Some Lollipops.

More lollipops to choose from..

Cirque de bonbons cadeux.

More from La Fete de la Musique Quebec.


Have fantastic week ahead!

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Bienvenue à Mont-Tremblant

The Lower Village, Mont Tremblant.

During the Labour Day Long Weekend, my family and I visited Mont Tremblant, Quebec. The Province of  Quebec was known as New France until the English defeated the French in 1759 in the Plains of Abraham outside of Quebec City. Then the British Royal Proclamation of 1763 changed the name from New France to the Province of Quebec. But despite the English occupation, Quebec still maintained their French Culture, Distinct Identity and Language. They speak only French and is the only French speaking Province in Canada. So Canada, ended up with two official languages, English and French. Even up to the present, there are Nationalists there that still advocate Separatism from English Canada.  I am actually very surprised that the French in Paris speak more English now than in Quebec. But don't be turned off because Quebec is a beautiful province. They proudly call it, La Belle Province and its mantra, Je Me Souviens (I remember).

This was our first visit to Mont-Tremblant which was a two hour drive from Montreal. It was a scenic drive all the way with winding roads and beautiful views of the Laurentian Mountains. There were Country Clubs and golf courses nestled in the mountains surrounded by Pine trees. Mont Tremblant is actually a Ski Resort. Heaven for those Ski enthusiasts. Most of Canada's Olympic Winter Skiing Champions were from Quebec, Calgary or British Columbia, provinces that have Professional skiing mountains. I am impressed that Mont-Tremblant is a very busy place all 365 days of the year.  I have visited some ski towns, like in St. Moritz, Switzerland in May and it was a dead town. But not here in Mont-Tremblant which is full of  summer adventures. 

We rode the lift to reach the Upper Village. 

Views up there...

View of  some of the condominiums in Mont Tremblant.

View of the Swimming Pool of the Marriott Residence Inn.

View of the Swimming Pool of the Westin Mont Tremblant Resort and Spa.

There is also a walking trail to go up the Upper Village. But riding this lift was more fun!

Upper Village Summer Adventure.

Trampoline for kids and adults.

Go Kart ride and an open air ski-lift for the brave of heart.

Rock climbing for kids. Oh my, these kids have no fear at all!

Gondola Ride to The Summit.

We chose to ride this Gondola.

My brother used my camera to take this picture.

When we were almost way up there, the whole Gondola line stopped which left the Gondolas still, up in the air. That was when my one year old nephew, Alessandro, decided to stand up and started dancing his "Happy Feet" dance steps which moved our Gondola swinging back and forth, up in the air. Oh my, this  made our hearts jump, up and down! Then, when the Gondola started moving again, he decided to sit back and look like a good boy. That is my fearless one yr old nephew! 

The beauty of the Laurentians from the Summit. Some people decided to hike up instead of ride the Gondola.

For the fearless skiers. 

This view was photographed from the three level Tree house. I explained to my three yrs old niece, Isabella (who loves story telling)  that the Tree house is the house of the Bears. That the bears were not home that moment so people can visit their house. When we reached the top, she loudly said, "Bears, where are you Bears? Come out Bears."  Everybody up there thought she was amusing and cute. Be careful what you tell children! 

The Summit view from the Tree House.

The top of the Tree house. To reach it, we walked through a trail into the woods, which my niece and nephew thought to be the forest. They were both excited being in the forest which started our story about Bears. 

 Lunch at Le Shack

Nachos.

Open sandwich Croque Monsieur for my sister-in-law. Spaghetti for Mr. "Happy Feet."

Most of us had the Le Brie Burger. Quebec has the best cheese products in Canada.

La Fete de la Musique Quebec

Congratulations to Areta as you are  the winner of the Michael Kors Bag Giveaway!

Thank you for your patience in reading this adventure. You are all the best!

Bonne Weekend mes amies!

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