No Matter the Season The Laurentians Has it All

By Rachael Desjardins

Need a break? Want to have some family fun time, or need to reboot your romance? Head to the beautiful Chalets Chanteclair, nestled in the heart of the Laurentians. Located in Val-David, Qu.bec, these lovely authentic Swiss-styled chalets are only minutes away from the popular town of Saint-Sauveur, known for its boutiques and restaurants and only 25 minutes from the world-renowned Mont-Tremblant. Choose to escape into one of the mountain-side chalets or just relax and enjoy the calm of the water in one of the lakefront chalets at Trout Lake. We chose to stay in one of the lakefront chalets and loved everything about it. Each chalet is equipped with a natural wood-burning fireplace, double whirlpool, sauna, and fully-equipped kitchen.

During spring and summer, you can enjoy an outdoor barbeque on your spacious deck and comfortable patio furniture. Any time of the year, you can take advantage of massage services in the privacy of your chalet.

Chalets Chanteclair’s front desk staff enthusiastically helped plan activities  and offered various discounts to local attractions and restaurants.

Eager to kick start the weekend, we headed out to what is rightly called “the most amazing tubing park in Quebec”. With our kids leading the way, we headed up to the highest snow-tubing mountain in the world and (…I) squealed all the way down. What a blast! We ended the day back in the chalet where I soaked in the whirlpool before joining the family for a meal by the fireplace.

Living with a family of snowboarders, this location was a great pick. Surrounded by some of the best alpine hills Quebec has to offer, we enjoyed Vallée Bleue, Ski Chantecler and Mont Habitant. The conditions were great and we had a fantastic time. Of course, it’s the “aprés ski” that makes the day complete and we ended our day back at our chalet sitting out on the deck catching the last bit of sun and soaking in the magnificent view.

The front desk clerk at Chalets Chanteclair told us about their restaurant, Ô Cèdre, which is known for having the finest Lebanese cuisine between Val-David and Montreal. The menu was incredible. We chose from their appetizer menu (The homemade hummus was out of this world.) and from their great selection of traditional Lebanese main dishes. We all tried something different and each bite was better than the one before. The ‘Mixed Grill’, a selection of Lebanese grilled brochettes, was incredible. The manager was a charming man and made us feel truly welcomed. His wife is the chef and his son was our waiter. His joy in the restaurant and his pride in his wife’s amazing culinary skills was infectious.

We ended our stay at Chalets Chanteclair on a high — a sugar high. We took the staff up on a recommendation and visited La Cabane à sucre Arthur Raymond where we feasted on traditional Québécois fair. The atmosphere was lively and festive with foot-tapping music filling the air. The meal was terrific with maple syrup oozing out  of everything. A great way to feel a part of the lively traditional Quebec culture, and the perfect way to end our weekend. If you can, take advantage of their beautiful cross-country and snowshoe trails or possibly even a dogsledding excursion. The options are endless in this winter wonderland!

Chalets Chanteclair is also a great destination in the summer. Enjoy their wonderful private beach on Trout Lake. The resort offers on-site rentals of canoes, kayaks and paddle boats. There is also a pool, an 18-hole mini-golf course and tennis courts. Of course, you could simply put your feet up and soak in the sun.

Should you want to venture a little further from your chalet, countless activities are only minutes away. The “P’tit train du Nord” offers access to over 200 km of cycling or walking along its old train track path that winds around the beautiful Laurentians. You can also pack a picnic and go hiking or rock climbing in the magnificent Dufresne Park where you can lose yourself in the natural beauty and breathtaking panoramas. If ATVing is your thing, there are rentals nearby. For golf enthusiasts, the Laurentians are a dream location as there are more than 10 first-rate golf courses for players of all levels of expertise.

If sports are not your passion, there are many theme parks in the area including water parks, a Santa Clause Village and the “Pays de Merveilles” a fairy tale theme park for the little ones. For a taste of culture, visit the local artisans who have different exhibitions daily or enjoy a Saturday stroll through the summer market in quaint Val-David. Live theatre fans can check out the fabulous shows in several of the nearby villages including Val-David, Ste-Adele or St. Sauveur or enjoy a concert on the lake in Ste-Agathe.

At the end of the day wind down at Chalets Chanteclair — your own private haven and a getaway that truly is a feast for the soul.