By Gaëtan Vaudry
Tadoussac is arguably one of the most beautiful summer tourist regions in Quebec. However, this North Shore region is much quieter in winter. Fortunately, thanks to our friends at Chalets-camping Domaine des Dunes, it is possible to have very pleasant moments there, even in the winter season!
Located between the tourist village of Tadoussac and the famous Dunes (two huge marine sand terraces exposed by the last ice melt about 10,000 years ago), the Domaine des Dunes site, nestled in a birch forest, is simply enchanting. It offers both camping and chalet rentals that can accommodate up to six people, as well as the rental of a kamook and even a wooden tipi... nothing less! "We resume service in winter, to the delight of our customers," says co-owner Bernadette Roduit Bender, with a broad smile. "The experiences in kamook and tipi are done in camping styles, that is, with access to a sanitary facility with toilets and showers, washer and dryer, as well as a community room."
Several activities are available even in winter at Domaine des Dunes, including a highly appreciated welcome for snowmobile enthusiasts in the boreal forest, trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In summer, the region abounds with activities, including whale watching cruises, black bear observation, sea kayaking, marine mammal interpretation center, the region's fine dining, and much more.
Bernadette, who is joined by her daughter and son for all aspects of Domaine des Dunes, has worked very hard in recent weeks to welcome you this winter. During my short visit to Tadoussac at the end of November, the family was busy making final adjustments to welcome numerous clients for the beautiful winter season. Moreover, Bernadette and her team invite you to book your chalet, kamook, or wooden tipi for the holiday season before December 10th. They even promise a nice surprise!
Domaine des Dunes (Chalets-camping)
585, Chemin de la Rivière-du-Moulin-à-Baude
Tadoussac
418 235-4843
domainedesdunes.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLaS7TA7OQ&ab_channel=MordusdeSki
Just outside the city of Saguenay, the Valinouët multi-sport outdoor winter resort offers a first distinctive feature: its snow is 100% natural. The snow isn't manufactured; it's tamed and shaped.
Located about 45 km northeast of the City of Saguenay, in Saint-David-de-Falardeau, in the Mont-Valin National Park area, the site enjoys exceptional snow cover thanks to its microclimate, at nearly 810 m elevation at the summit.
It's well known that people in Québec's gay community are fond of winter sports, particularly snow sports (cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc.). Valinouët is therefore a destination to consider with complete confidence.
The new chalet, inaugurated for the 2020 season, required a $5 million investment. It seats 360 on the ground floor, plus 360 in the cafeteria on the second level and the restaurant-bar on the upper floor.
So, Valinouët offers not only dream conditions for winter sports, but also entertainment, festivities, and above all, guaranteed fun for all visitors. Here are a few examples:
- A wide choice of runs: 33 in total, for beginners, intermediates and experts.
- Six (6) ski lifts with a combined capacity of 7,600 skiers per hour.
- A marked 4.3 km trail at the summit of the mountain for snowshoers.
- An 8 km network (3 trails) is available free of charge to cross-country skiers. The trails are groomed regularly. Backcountry skiers will be delighted with two ascents accessible from the base of the mountain.
- For thrill-seekers: areas for experienced skiers and snowboarders, including the La Machette run, rated double diamond, with three impressive rocky notches to max out your adrenaline.
- A snow park with several features and jumps, appealing to all ages.
- A network of fat bike trails with free access near the ski chalet. The area includes three trails, totalling nearly 8 km.
- Located at the end of the main chalet, the tubing park has three slopes specially designed for tubing and a rope tow accessible to all.
In addition to these sports amenities, the centre offers a ski school for all levels, an equipment rental centre, "coolbox"-style accommodation at the foot of the slopes, a cafeteria with varied menus and a friendly restaurant-pub, a snowmobile rest stop, special events and occasional promotions, packages for groups or school activities, etc.
Worth noting: the Valinouët outdoor resort has been run by a worker cooperative since 1995. It currently counts about twenty worker members who have qualified for this status, some of whom sit on the board of directors. Previously, a non-profit organization had been created in 1984 by a group of people who wanted to see this type of infrastructure in the region.
Near the winter resort, an alpine village offers accommodation, parking and direct access to snowmobile trails.
The cooperative is currently studying and planning a major development project aimed at eventually offering year-round activities.
valinouet.qc.ca
181, Rte du Valinouët,
Saint-David-de-Falardeau, QC G0V 1C0
(418) 673-6455
By Gaëtan Vaudry
Unnoticed, autumn advances swiftly, soon making way for winter. And with winter comes the ski season. I had the opportunity to meet a vibrant team at Valinouët, nestled in the heart of the Monts-Valin massif in Saint-David-de-Falardeau. Celebrated as one of Quebec's most sought-after mountains, Valinouët is gearing up to grandly celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. For the occasion, Stéphane Leblond and his marketing team are preparing a host of events to mark this significant milestone. Among these, there will be a mega vintage après-ski party, showcasing styles and colors from the 1980s, on the upcoming January 20th. The event will feature a DJ spinning popular hits from the era, raffles with numerous prizes, and much more!
Although the entire 2023-2024 season will be marked by the 40th-anniversary festivities, Valinouët is also hosting two other major events on February 24th and March 23rd, 2024: the mega family days. For these occasions, the Saint-David-de-Falardeau establishment will animate the days, still in vintage colors and styles, with mascots, DJs, and food trucks. Special rates will also be offered for these days. These will be announced soon on their official website.
Enthusiasts from across the province agree: there's no skiing quite like that at Valinouët. The absence of snow cannons makes all the difference. It's particularly for this reason that thousands of visitors from all corners of Quebec come to enjoy the numerous activities at Valinouët, from alpine skiing to all-terrain biking, extreme skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tubing, backcountry skiing, and the magnificent snow park.
Le Valinouët
181, Route du Valinouët
Saint-David-de-Falardeau
1 866 260-8254
https://valinouet.qc.ca
