Darkness is not always an obstacle to outdoor activities. Some places offer to lengthen the short winter days with illuminated nighttime activities. Follow the leader!
1. Winter Night Hike in Mont-Orford (Eastern Townships)
Photo courtesy of Mont-Orford
Several Quebec ski resorts have taken an interest in offering nighttime activities during the winter, and Mont-Orford is one of them. The Estrienne station allows supervised winter hiking after opening hours. It is possible to climb the three peaks of the site – namely Mount Orford (850m above sea level) and its two neighbours, Monts Giroux (630m) and Alfred-Desrochers (635m) – with snowshoes, crampons or winter boots. to rise. on certain authorized paths from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m
2. Torch Snowshoe Hike in Mont Mégantic National Park (Eastern Townships)
Photo courtesy of SÉPAQ / Mathieu Dupuis
Here we touch the grandiose and the sublime. Qualifications that fit perfectly with the Mont Mégantic National Park, known for its lush reliefs, rich forests and especially its International Dark Sky Reserve – the first to be created in the world. In the winter, we’re going to crack down. On Saturdays, between late January and late March, enjoy Astronomy Nights at the foot of the mountain at ASTROLab, a 2-hour activity combined with a complimentary torchlit walk under the stars.
3. Cross-country skiing in the Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno (Montérégie)
Photo courtesy of Mathieu Dupuis / Sépaq
About 15 minutes from Montreal’s bridges, this park attracts many visitors in the winter with 35 km of marked cross-country trails. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from January to the beginning of March it is open to skiers until 9 p.m., as well as to snowshoe hikers, hikers and snow bikers. A heated relay and a waxing room are available for evening customers, unfortunately not the rental.
4. Fat bike under the moon at Empire 47 (Quebec)
Photo courtesy of Empire 47
Empire 47, less than 25 minutes from downtown Quebec, is definitely THE destination to practice fat biking in Quebec. All cross-country trails are open until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. The organization even provides headlamps that can be attached to the bike’s handlebars (in addition to those on the helmet). Then it’s up to you to explore this excellent network of 50 km of hiking trails specially designed and equipped for this activity. Regardless of your level, e47 has accessible trails for everyone from beginners to experts.
5. Night skating in the forest of the Enchanting Estate (Mauricie)
Domaine Enchanteur offers 15 km of skating tracks in the forest. They are accessible in the evenings (until 8 or 10 p.m. depending on the day of the week). Some of the trails are even illuminated! On site you will also find a snowshoe trail, rental and a mini farm. Note that the property is above all an agritourism business whose main occupation is beekeeping!
6. Upla, lighted trampoline in the trees (Montérégie)
Photo courtesy of Upla/Bernard Brault
In Mont-Saint-Grégoire, the Uplå center has been offering a unique experience for several months: jumping, day and night, on a 2000 m2 trampoline. Located 7m above the ground, it is divided into seven zones (including one with two floors) and has three slides, a tunnel and three access ramps. If you choose the nocturnal version of the activity, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the forest, jumping under the stars on the fully lit structure.
Any other nighttime outdoor ideas?
- Night sleigh ride in the Massif de Charlevoix. In the light of the moon and with a headlamp you whiz down a 7.5 km long route. lemassif.com
- Evening ski touring in Bromont, in the Eastern Townships. The ski resort allows skiers to scale the mountain with climbing skins before descending the groomed slopes, even after sunset. bromontagne.com
- Dog sledding in the moonlight. Thanks to the company Aventures Liguoriennes in Saint-Liguori, you can stroll peacefully for two hours along the silent paths of Lanaudière. liguorianadventures.com