Quebec: Winter Wellness Adventure

Adrenaline Infusion

I’d been feeling snow deprived. All the winter fun that used to descend upon us here in much of the Eastern U.S. has become quite fickle in recent years. The lack of all winter’s rites of passage leaves a void in me. Yet, I knew that further northward toward Canada’s vast province of Quebec, they were knee-deep in a winter wonderland, having snow much fun in the great outdoors.

I often daydream about my time there in its great cozy lodges, finding rejuvenation in the region’s plentiful outdoor Nordic spas and expansive snow trails. Such a great winter culture. It was an invigorating wellness adventure infused with adrenaline thrills and thermal immersion. They do winter in Quebec with a healthy exuberance. And they don’t whine about the cold.

Hello, Outaouais

It can be easy to overlook if you haven’t traveled beyond its wonderful main urban hubs or ski resorts, but much of Canada’s beautiful wilderness is filled with diverse cultures, preserved natural landscapes, and outdoor wellness & adventure to explore.

Landing in Outaouais (pronounced uːtəweɪ), a region on the north banks of its namesake river, I was thrilled to already see the flurries falling. After meeting up with friends upon arrival, we all headed to the region’s city of Gatineau to explore this southwestern area of Quebec a bit.

With a good handful of universities in the area, it wasn’t surprising to find a decent amount of brew pubs and live music venues peppered throughout. After a bite of regional cuisine at rustic Bistro Coqlicorne, we wandered into Gainsbourg Microbrasserie for a flight of beer and soon headed over to the popular Canadian Museum of History.

Musée Canadien de l’Histoire

Being that it is situated beside the country’s Capital, by the Quebec and Ontario river border, it may not be surprising that the Canadian Museum of History is the most frequented one in Canada with a tallied 1.2 million visitors annually.

The museum’s humble beginnings date back to the mid-19^th century with its first “ethnological” exhibit about First Peoples. Today it stands firmly in its mission “To enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of events, experiences, people, and objects that reflect and have shaped Canada’s history and identity…” as per the country’s official Museum Act.  

The museum’s appeal extends to us travelers, too, of course. Its location on the river with a view of Parliament Hill adds to the attraction. The sleek and cozy Four Points Gatineau Hotel was also across the street from the museum, providing a very comfortable convenience to freely explore during this leg of the journey. Even if just for my own edification.

Forget the dusty old exhibits located in some dingy old building that one might associate with a museum of history. The flowing modern space here was a welcoming delight.

The focus is anthropological, specifically illuminating visitors about Canadian identity and heritage. Exploring the museum’s spectacular Grand Hall and First Peoples Hall in addition to its many other exhibits revealed the architectural design of the sprawling four-level, 250,000 sq ft modern space itself.

Easily gleaned by its exterior, too, its blueprint pays homage to the natural contours and elements of Canada’s landscape, leading visitors on a flowing journey of stories told by art installations, curated artifacts, multimedia elements, and inventive cultural immersion. I left with a clearer understanding of the Great White North.

Weightless in Nordik Spa-Nature

Let the winter wellness adventures begin! I was all in for an evening of hydrotherapy at Nordik Spa-Nature. Located in Gatineau Park, this largest indoor/outdoor spa in North America touts ten outdoor thermal pools of varying temperatures, nine distinct saunas, and cold waterfall plunges as part of whatever tailored hydro circuit routine one might desire. Situated within natural grounds, the environment is an oasis for those seeking the ultimate relaxation experience. Nature and wellness are symbiotic here.

Meditation rooms, bonfires, and a yoga studio are peppered around the circuit area. While groups of friends convened to imbibe in the infinity pool, I had other ideas.

Nordik offers four restaurants with a variety of thoughtful menus that nurture a healthy state of mind & body with reimagined comfort food. I decided it best to fast until the end of my treatments. Our group planned to reconnect later in our bathrobes at the spa’s Restö for the more elevated dining experience offering.

The magical Källa flotation experience is located deep below the spa’s beautiful natural grounds. Available only as an add-on to the general but elaborate Thermotherapy circuit package, this atmospheric weightless salt bath touts a similar salinity unique to the Dead Sea bestowing therapeutic anti-inflammatory benefits.

Down below in the Källa grotto, the welcoming atmospheric deep indigo lighting and serene vibe took immediate effect. I somehow breathed easier down here.

Rain showers and loungers were offered in a quiet rest area. I am unsure if there was a capacity limit, but it was just a few of us down here, comfortably immersed.

Wading deeper into the water, I eased my upper back onto the minimalistic flotation raft gently pushing back past the large columns, closing my eyes, and losing all sense of time and direction. Surrender.

How great would society be if this were a regular part of life for all?

Nestled in at Sacacomie Geo Spa

Nestled deep in the pristine forests right beside Quebec’s Lake Sacacomie is a treasure aptly named Hotel Sacacomie. Located in the Mauricie region, in Saint Alexis des Monts, the expansive four-star white pine lodge overlooks the lake, and the majestic views extend far beyond the tree-peeked mountains into the horizon. Whether waking up to the view from my room, fine-dining with friends, doing ice shots on the terrace under the moon, or melting the stress away in the outdoor Geo Spa, the view was commanding.

The cozy, but sprawling lodge that touts over a hundred rooms is open every season, transforming its outdoor adventure offerings with each one. Personal spa services are also available all year. My stay there in winter, waking to gorgeous snowfall in the morning, was my idea of an idyllic winter getaway.

Stepping outside to bask in the snowfall, nestled in the vapors of the hot tubs, and hopping along the heated sidewalks into the luminotherapy sauna was just what the doctor ordered. Then the eucalyptus hammam and the solarium with those majestic views, followed by the cold-plunge waterfall, and repeat. I left there feeling incredible.

Sledding in the Crystal Forest

When my friends returned from Sacacomie’s ecological Sky-plane Tour above the natural landscape of the region, we kept the winter endorphins going with a dog sledding adventure in the crystalline forest. We met our musher in the lobby and hopped in the back of the Pinzgauer all-terrain vehicle en route to meet the dogs.

I paired up with one of my travel mates and took the reins as musher extraordinaire since I had some prior experience from a Norwegian adventure. My mate was cushy, wrapped in handwoven wool in the sled. We chose the more intermediate path, but of course, as they advise during the safety orientation, do what you’re comfortable with as it can be a lot to wield.

The snow-packed trails were carved tight and narrow, enabling a smooth glide for the ride. After gaining momentum, we were swept through the postcard-perfect winter wonderland on a boost of endorphins. A rapport with the beautiful, brawny pups had been established. Mush! As if they needed to be told. The fresh arctic air filled my lungs and adrenaline rushed through my veins. Perfection.

Sunbeams pierced through the thicket, lighting the path brightly as I wielded the sled up hills, down hills, and cornering turns. It was an adrenaline-filled rush before whipping around an icy pond beyond the evergreens and giving the strapping huskies a well-deserved break.

The Land of Snowmobiles

The wild open terrain around Auberge du Lac Taureau is the prime location for a real snowmobiling adventure in Quebec’s Lanaudier region. Ever popular at the 200-acre grounds of Auberg du Lac Taureau, the four-star hotel’s ample list of outdoor activity offerings change with the seasons and is available only to guests. Advance reservations are advised.

Trading in my flip-flops for rugged terrain boots and complete snowmobiling gear on-site, I gathered that this was the real deal and not the snowmobiling-lite. The trails are groomed and marked. And yes, having a license is required in addition to a few other requirements. The gorgeous, hefty black and white machines were lined up neatly before the entrance into the 800-acre wilderness before us. They contrasted nicely against the fresh snow. Buckled in, I straddled my big guy as the guide directed us in our maneuvers, before revving up the engines.

One by one, our group set out onto the path into the great white landscape. Again, I could feel that adrenaline rising through my whole body. Thrilled and awestruck by the beauty and the rush, I pumped the accelerator. Faster.

It was hard to stay focused at times because it is so, yes, I’ll say it, breathtaking. Such a wild and freeing experience. What a high. I admired and respected that this isn’t just a leisure time sport for locals, snowmobiling is part of winter culture up here. And having the chance to do it a bit like the locals was just amazing.

Back at the lodge, I traded back the boots for my flip-flops. Before enjoying dinner at the hotel’s main restaurant, Cerf Rouge, with my friends, I spent time lounging and shvitzing in the saunas and outdoor hot tubs. I was thoroughly decompressed. I was soon ready for a good night’s sleep for the next day’s fun foray into curling. But I couldn’t get enough of the view from my room in the Auberge hotel as the moon glowed over the expansive, so peaceful winter wonderland.