This trip was born out of a simple need: to unwind, enjoy winter, ski, and have a good time with the girls. We headed to Lanaudière, with its friendly atmosphere and authentic mountains, where alpine and off-piste skiing come together naturally. Four days later, we returned tired, tanned (yes, yes, with a goggle tan to boot), and smiling.
DAY 1 – HEADING TO VAL-SAINT-CÔME, OUR BASE CAMP
As soon as we arrive in Val-Saint-Côme, the tone is set. The mountain is alive and bustling. This is no coincidence: the resort is known for its freestyle skiing, and on this particular day, an event was taking place on the legendary Alexandre-Bilodeau slope. Named in honor of the two-time Olympic champion, the slope is a nod to Val-Saint-Côme's freestyle DNA. It's impossible not to stop for a few minutes to watch the young people hurtle down the bumps and perform jumps with such spectacular ease.
We put on our boots, grab our skis (and snowboard) and head out for our first day of skiing, which quickly turns into night skiing, a unique experience in the region! We fell in love with the 1,000-foot slope: an impressive vertical drop, magnificent mountain views and that pleasant feeling of being off the beaten track.
After hitting the slopes, we enjoyed dinner right at the resort, at Le Pitch restaurant and bar, where the atmosphere was anything but a typical Sunday night... even though it was indeed Sunday.
OUR FAVORITE ACCOMMODATION: OXYGEN SAINT-CÔME
We stay at the Oxygen chalets, just a stone's throw from the mountain, but also ideally located for visiting all the resorts in Lanaudière without having to pack our bags every morning. Wood, light, comfort... not to mention luxury! A real favorite. It's the kind of place where you can recharge your batteries thanks to the spa and steam shower, where conversations stretch late into the night over a drink, and where the cuisine makes you feel like you're in the comfort of your own home. A base camp that ticks all the boxes: comfort after exercise, shared moments, and that little bit of luxury that makes all the difference.
DAY 2 – RAW NATURE AND OFF-PISTE SKIING AT SKI LA RÉSERVE
The next day brings a change of scenery. Ski La Réserve is a mountain on a human scale, almost timeless. Here, the snow is entirely natural, and you can feel it from the very first descents: the snow is soft and has just the right amount of grip.
Once at the summit, we soak up the sun and take a moment to admire the view of the surrounding lakes... Spectacular! In the afternoon, we set off to explore the off-piste areas. One is accessible directly from the summit, the other requires a short approach... but what a reward. Downhill runs through the woods that make you feel like you're somewhere else. It's wild, it's beautiful, and we find ourselves shouting with joy between turns. Clearly a memorable day of the trip.
DAY 3 – SUNSHINE, WOODLANDS, AND FREESTYLE VIBES AT SKI GARCEAU
Day three, third atmosphere. Ski Garceau welcomes us under bright skies, despite the bitter cold (well dressed, nothing can stop us!). We opt for a day of 100% downhill skiing, even though the mountain also offers cross-country skiing.
The resort feels very family-friendly, with well-maintained slopes and truly thrilling glades. Conditions are excellent, and we are fortunate enough to still be able to carve a few lines in the fresh snow. There is also a great energy in the snow parks, with a strong freestyle crowd.
We loved the new mountain terrace, accessible via the Rapide XL trail. The mountain faces 100% south. With the sun on our faces, we savored the moment... despite the cold!
DAY 4 – FAMILY WELCOME AND NATURE DETOUR AT SKI MONTCALM
All good things must come to an end, but not without one last memorable stop. We ended our trip at Ski Montcalm, a small, charming family mountain. There we met Joanna, the owner's daughter. It was her father, a ski lift engineer, who built the resort nearly 60 years ago.
The chalet is renovated and cozy, and the cafeteria offers delicious cuisine made with local products. The mountain, although compact, offers four interesting slopes. Special mention goes to the covered magic carpet on the beginner's slope. Ski Montcalm is the first resort in Quebec to have acquired one. It makes a lot of sense to us, for this mountain that seemed as family-friendly as it was innovative!
Before hitting the road again, we set off to explore the Natura sector, about fifteen minutes away on skins. Off-piste skiing in natural terrain... just perfect to end the trip, with our hearts full and our legs rather tired.
OUR GETAWAY IN A FEW WORDS
Varied skiing, mountains with distinct personalities, meeting new people, snow, sunshine, and lots and lots of laughter. A girls' getaway just the way we like it: sporty, natural, and rejuvenating!
