Spring Break Cool Slopes

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Highlights: Roughly an hour-and-a-half from Montreal, Mont Tremblant is probably the most popular ski hill in the province of Quebec and boasts a six-kilometre run with an elevation of 875 metres. The resort also has 94 trails. Tremblant's snowboard facilities, dubbed “White Evil,” are some of the best in North America. The massive super-pipe and “Advanced Zone” has enough modules, rails, and jumps for any snowboarder.

Nightlife: If you are staying at the hill, Mont Tremblant has clubs onsite that are well worth the visit. With bus loads of college student flocking from the US and Ontario, as well as weekenders from Montreal, bars like Café d'Époque (aka Le Puck), Caribou and Le Shack are the place to be.

Weather: Like Quebec, Tremblant is bitterly cold and the warm winter temperatures we have been having in Ontario do not translate to this part of the country. Expect temperatures to be between —5 C all the way to — 25C.

Price: This place can be pricy. If you are driving you might want to opt to stay in Montreal and do day trips to the slopes. A one-day lift ticket costs $58.51, a two-day is $106.02 to $111.72, while a three-day ticket costs $159.96 to $167.58.

Quebec City, Quebec

Highlights: With two ski/snowboard resorts, Mont-Sainte-Anne (800m elevation) and Stoneham (632m elevation) just outside the city, you can hit the slopes all day, but not miss any of the action at night in Quebec. Mont-Sainte-Anne, the bigger of the two sets of hills, has 65 runs, 13 lifts, the highest vertical for night skiing in Canada and an amazing view of the St. Lawrence River. While Stoneham, just 20 minutes outside the city, offers 32 runs with eight lifts and an impressive halfpipe for snowboarders. Don't forget to checkout the historic highlights of old Quebec.

Nightlife: Hit-up castle-like nightclub Chez Dagobert, Bar LA RelèVe Enr an Evolution Radar One 8. Remember the drinking age is 18 in Quebec.

Weather: Although the normal high for late February in Quebec hovers around the —6 C to —8 C range, temperatures can easily drop into the —20's during the day and even more so at night. Make sure you go well prepared for the cold.

Price: Four-day hotel and transportation packages starting at just over $400. If you plan the trip yourself and drive you may save more money.

Collingwood

Two hour drive northwest of London.

Highlights: For skiing and snowboarding the two most popular public resorts are Blue Mountain and Talisman Mountain Resort. Blue Mountain is Ontario's largest Mountain resort with a vertical of 220 metres and 34 trails, ranging in difficulty. Operated by the same company as Mont Tremblant, Intrawest, Blue Mountain has a lodge-like town nestled into the hill with shopping, restaurants and clubs. Talisman has a vertical of 180 metres with six ski lifts, 18 varied runs and an extensive program for beginners. There are also spa and restaurant facilities.

Nightlife: Hot spots at Blue Mountain include retro-inspired Gel, which is the downstairs equivalent to Skool, which is a more laid-back bar. Windy O'Neill's Pub is the place to go for a pint.

Weather: Similar to right here in London.

Price: Blue Mountain day tickets range from $48-$52, but there are multi-day, afternoon and night rates for both snowboarders and skiers. Talisman day lift tickets range from $34 to $45.

Boler Mountain

Southwest London (689 Griffith St.)

Highlights: London's only ski and snowboard hill is just that, a hill, with a 33-metre vertical. But it is just on the other side of the city and the price is right. Boler also offers a new tube park and half-pipe.

Nightlife: Although there is night skiing, snowboarding and tubing, for the real nightlife make your way downtown for a typical night out in London.

Weather: Stick your hand at your bedroom window and see for yourself.

Price: Prices range from $20 for two hours or $37 for a full day pass. Tubing costs $15 for two hours.
Previous Article
Next Article