Experience Québec
Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge
Three nights among the stars
The inky sky is ablaze with stars. In the distance, a majestic moon emerges from the mountains. Silvery moonlight floods valleys made luminous with fresh snow. With the northern lights in the background, you feel like you can touch the stars. Deep in the Appalachians, high up in the Chic Chocs, a new lodge opens its doors on December 26, 2005: the Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge.
A sublime getaway that’s off the beaten track, far from the daily grind, unparalleled in every way: that’s what the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq)—a government-run organization mandated to operate and develop natural sites and recreational facilities throughout Québec—has to offer. A real challenge!
The Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge is a first in Eastern Canada. Its erection module by module represents a triumph in terms of construction and logistics, particularly in light of the surrounding wilderness and extremely hilly terrain. An access road first had to be built and manpower and materials brought in before construction could even begin. Once underway, great care had to be taken throughout the process to minimize the impact on the environment. All in all, a substantial challenge!
Although the lodge is located 55 km (34 mi.) south of the town of Cap-Chat, personal vehicles are not permitted on the site. During the winter, visitors are transported to the mountaintop in a snowcoach, and in the summertime, via minibus. The lodge offers 18 rooms with full bath, a dining room, two outdoor patios, a bar/lounge with a fireplace, a meeting room, sauna, outdoor spa and boutique. Attention: extreme nature!
A lodge perched at an altitude of 615 m (2,018 ft.), with no telephones, radios or even televisions… what’s that all about? The real show is all around you, in the heart of the Réserve faunique de Matane, a rich wildlife reserve in the Appalachian mountain chain. Directly facing the lodge are mounts Matawees and Collins, two 1,000-m (3,280-ft.) giants locally known as “Les Gros.” The silence is broken only by the murmur of the wind and the sound of Chute Hélène, a 50-m (164-ft.) waterfall known for its crystal-clear basin.
Here you have every chance of running into three large members of the cervid family, the true lords of all they survey. It’s the only place in Québec to boast the coexistence of moose (more than two per square kilometre, or about five per square mile), white-tailed deer (in the fir/birch forest zone), and caribou (in the alpine tundra). And, raising your eyes skywards, you might just see a buzzard spiralling over the treetops, a bald eagle plunging down to catch its prey or a solitary falcon gliding silently through the air. Nature in 3D!An unbeatable playground!
A magnificent landscape unfolds before you, a magical setting in which to practice your favourite outdoor activities, accompanied by experienced guides. And, with 60 km2 (23 sq. mi.) of mountain terrain as your playground, you have an embarrassment of riches to choose from. In the winter, it’s time for backcountry skiing or snowshoeing. Make the most of untouched snowfields, open undergrowth and slopes reaching over 400 m (1,312 ft.). In the summer, hiking, mountain biking, and salmon or trout fly-fishing are just some of the daily pleasures you can choose from. Over 100 km (62 mi.) of wooded trails take you through of this magnificent country liberally sprinkled with lakes and rivers, the perfect spots to take a break. You’ll discover the true meaning of peace!The five Cs
They can be defined as followed: comfort, charm, coziness, cuisine and cheer. Meals are taken in groups around large tables, the better to promote conversation and exchange. The Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge has secured the services of renowned chef Alain Laflamme, whose culinary skills are sure to please the heartiest of appetites and the most discriminating of palates. Chef Laflamme plans to feature a wide variety of fish and game dishes on the menu. What’s more, bread, yogurt, desserts and smoked products will be made on the premises. All in all, the Chic-Chocs Mountain Lodge is set to become an exceptional travel destination: a place where memorable encounters occur and lasting memories are forged.| Specification sheet |
CHARTER FLIGHTS
AT A GLANCE
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André Quenneville
2008-01-28
