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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
at Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross Country
Centre - Beaupre, QC, Canada G0A1E0
Superlatives are
all one hears for the Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross-Country Centre (418-827-4561
ext. 408, 888-827-4579 x408, www.mont-sainte-anne.com),
located in Beaupre, Quebec. It is known for picturesque and diversified
network of trails and exceptional snow conditions. With 200 km of trails
groomed for classic skiing through the Laurentian forest, this center
is the largest in Canada, second only to California's Royal Gorge in
North America, and not to be missed just for the "joie de ski"
Canadians exude on cross-country trails. Skating skiers will find a
whopping 191 km of trails groomed for them.
If
you're an intermediate or beginning cross-country skier, don't be intimidated
by the large numbers of obvious and very athletic-looking experts skiing
here. The Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross-Country Centre has plenty of trails
for all abilities. A choice of varying length trail loops make it easy
to adjust your outing to your ability and stamina. Daily hours are 9-4
and on the weekends Mont-Sainte-Anne trails open at 8:30 AM. Snowshoers have 38 km on 8 trails.
Trail fees are $24 for adults and $18 for skiers aged 13-17. Trail fees for kids aged 7-12 are $13, skiers that are 65 or older pay $19 and kids that are 6 or younger, ski for free. Half-day trail fees are less and begin at 1:00 PM. XC rental equipment is $21 per day for classic and $26 per day for skating for skiers aged 13 and above; and $15 per day for classic and $21 for skating for skiers aged 12 and under. A unique pricing option is available for familes where 1 or 2 adults and any number of dependant children aged 7-17, all living at the same address can ski for a total of $51 per day and $41 for half day. Snowshoe trail fees are $11 per day for older than 12 and $9 per day for all others ((6 and younger snowshoe for free). A family can snowshoe together for $25 per day.
Lessons are available
for individuals at $32 for an hour and $16 for each additional person.
There are special clinics available in one and half hour sessions for
a minimum of 3 people at $15 per skier.
The area's base lodge Saint-Julien Lodge has an extensive ski school,
a small cafeteria, a waxing room and a cross-country ski boutique with
rentals, which include a baby glider to pull along your youngster if
you choose not to leave him or her at the Alpine area day care.
There are 5 heated
shelters along the trails, 2 of which have lodging facilities. A day
trip for the not-faint-of-heart is the trek along the powerline (Sentier
du Versant Nord) to the base of the north side of Mont-Sainte-Anne Alpine
area. Though it's about a 7 km trek, all uphill, the reward is the superb
scenery along the way and a nice lunch at the Chalet du Versant Nord.
And then there's skiing downhill all the way back to the base lodge.
A shuttle is available between the cross-country and alpine centres
on weekends and holidays. There are also dedicated snowshoe trails.
Be
sure to take the time to look for animal tracks along the trails—they
are numerous and varied. Photo courtesy of Jean Sylvain.
Lodging opportunities at the cross-country area include the unique B&B,
l'Auberge du Fondeur (418-827-5281; 800-463-1568) right on the
trails, or the Ruisseau Rouge and St- Nicolas shelters
along the trails. These rustic shelters each can accommodate up to eight
skiers and are equipped with a wood stove so skiers can cook their own
meals. Reservations are required (418-827-4561, ext. 408) but there
is no charge for their use with purchase of a two-day or more ski pass.
There are 3,000 beds located within a 5 km radius around the mountain
and 11,000 rooms in the great Quebec City area. Mont-Sainte-Anne is
only 50 miles from Quebec and there are transportation shuttles available. CCSAA member .
Photo courtesy of Patrice Gagnon