When planning your winter in Québec, I encourage you to explore snowmobile riding in the Saguenay Lac-Saint-John region. There are over 2,000 miles of trails.
We stayed at Chalets et Spa Lac Saint-Jean in Chambord. The buildings are perfectly designed for families or groups of people, but also quite private. My room had a full kitchen, a full bath (in which I soaked in Epsom salt after the ride), patio, and dining areas both inside and out on the patio.
A sauna and hot tub are also available on the property for those who desire the Nordic spa experience. I was too cold to partake. I just couldn’t imagine being in a bathing suit in -17 F for even a second! My Texas roots run ten generations deep, so I’m not sure my body could handle it without more acclimation.
This was the view from my room and just through the trees lies Lac Saint-Jean. We rode snowmobiles out onto the frozen lake!
I was sore from holding on tight, but it was exhilarating. We sped through gorgeous aspen trees and sunny, snowy paths during our 2 hour ride.
I’d love to go again at my own pace. I was with a group and knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my Canadian counterparts, so I rode on the back of our guide’s snowmobile. Denis, from Évasion Sport, had my life in his hands. We got up to speeds of 50 miles per hour in negative zero temeratures! He was a total professional and I felt looked after.
Denis let me take one for a spin on my own after our trail ride. It was so much fun and I was a natural.
Fair warning: I had a migraine the next day and my medication did not work the way it usually does. I did a bit of googling and it seems sudden changes in temperature can affect the serotonin levels in the brain and cause some people to develop migraines.
Like I said, I would do it again at my own pace without hesitation!
May your journey be your muse,
Rachel
- First and last images by Ann Yungmeyer
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