The kids anxiously await a reprieve from their arduous schoolwork, and
you deserve that overly coined “quality time” together. With so many
options, how do you choose the best activities, and avoid the worst?
The worst part of spring break lies within its very name. Long
referred to with the misnomer “Spring Break”, we are faced with the
ironic reality that it still is winter in Quebec. Perhaps a better
name would be “snow break”.
The best part of spring break lies in the plentiful opportunities for
fun in the nearby mountains. Quebec alone offers an impressive 85 ski
areas from which to choose. Leave the hubbub of the city, drive to the
mountains, and breathe some fresh air. Here are some of the best
offerings on snow this year:
In the Eastern Townships, Bromont gives the best guarantee for skiers
and riders. If you are not completely satisfied during your first 30
minutes, you get a ticket to return another time. Bromont puts their
proverbial money where their mouth is. The snowmaking capacity doubled
with 80 new snow guns online this season, and they continue to lay out
the corduroy by grooming two or three times a day.
Owl’s Head has the best motto, “Discover real life without waiting in
line”. No doubt we work too hard to spend our leisure time waiting for
anything, even a chairlift. To back up their slogan, Owl’s Head has a
new detachable quad to improve their uphill capacity.
The best new kids trail can be enjoyed by those 7 and under at Mont
Orford. “Magic Forest” is an animated glade adventure for youngsters.
Older kids, and kids at heart, have not been neglected; three
additional tree skiing trails offer expert and intermediate thrills on
Orford. A new ice-climbing site at Mont Alfred-Desrochers offers
thrill seekers the best opportunity to scale the ice wall using the
latest in equipment.
Mont Saint-Sauveur garners the best of night skiing. The evening
spectacle of lights, thanks to 500,000 watts of energy, provides
skiers and riders the ultimate variety for night turns in the
Laurentians.
Best expansion for the season is at ever-capitalizing Tremblant. The
opening of Versant Soliel adds 20% to Tremblant’s already extensive
terrain. This new wilderness-like section features 15 new trails, the
majority of which have been designed to
enhance the mountain’s
characteristic glades and winding contours, accessed with the modern
convenience of a quad, of course.
Tremblant continues to offer the best slopeside village for après ski,
shopping, pub hopping, swimming and even catching a movie without
taking off your ski boots. Tremblant has a last minute booking offer
of $99 per person,per day for 2 days of skiing and 2 nights of lodging
(double occupancy) in a studio room at Les Suites.
Mont Blanc debuted the best of new indoor kids’ facilities. The new
children’s complex, “la Jungle Magique” is a veritable playground
where 3-12 years olds will delight in the giant maze, a popular ball
pit, and even a Tarzan swing. For the younger set, Mont Blanc has a
new daycare for 2-5 year olds. Out on the slopes, the new Pathfinder
Express quad improves the uphill ride by replacing two t-bars and
making way for a new ski trail.
Mont Sainte Anne will host the best juniors from over 50 countries Feb
19-23 for the 2000 Championship Super G and Downhill. As tradition
goes, Mont Sainte-Anne will again celebrate the best continuous
“Family Festival” with character visits and puppet shows to
paragliding from mid February to mid-March, and children 13 and under
stay for free with special lodging packages.
The best snowboard park is at Stoneham light up at night. Their snow
park now boasts two half pipes, a pyramid for hits and launches, plus an
extreme double cross area, which are all buffed daily with a high-tech pipe
dragon.
Le Massif hosts their first Great Owl Festival on Feb. 26. “La
Fête du Grand Duc” legend goes that when the nocturnal owl feels a
snowstorm coming he can be seen flying by day. Le Massif will pay homage to
the bird and implore it for more snow before spring. On-mountain regional
tasting, performances by a Charlevoix legend teller and cultural dances are
among the plans.
As for the worst school vacation option, stay home without any change
of scenery. It is a fact, boredom brings out the worst in a child’s
behavior – including but not limited to “whining”. Perhaps they call
it “spring break,” because without exciting outdoor diversions,
vacationing school kids will break every spring to your home
furnishings. Without planned getaways, you will be faced with another
cruel revelation. “Break” may be synonymous with “nervous break down”
if you do not get out and enjoy some of the best that spring has to
offer.
