Get wet & enjoy!

Slip-sliding away

Which is the largest water park in Canada? It’s Valcartier Vacation Village! See for yourself: it has a wave pool that produces eight different kinds of waves, a half-kilometre-long tropical river (the Amazone), and the highest water slide in North America (the Everest). Plus a brand-new features: the four thrilling Rock’n Roll slides. "With the Roll, you shoot through a dark tunnel at high speed and are launched into an immense bowl 8.5 metres in diameter", explains spokesperson and Olympic diving champion Annie Pelletier. Not for the timid!

A WATER-rific experience

It can safely be said that the Laurentians region is the kingdom of water parks. Boasting 45 water slides, Super Aqua-Club in Pointe-Calumet has the most slides in Quebec. A bit further north are three parks within a 10 kilometre radius:  Cascades d’eau de Piedmont, and Parc aquatique Mont-Saint-Sauveur (picture). The latter is made even livelier with a host of jugglers, fire-breathers, magicians and music. It has two rivers for rafting -- the Niagara and the Colorado -- and an impressive wave river, the Manicouagan. Thrills and chills guaranteed!

A solid reputation

If you’re looking for a water park in the Outaouais region, check out Parc aquatique Mont-Cascades. Identical to the parks at Disneyworld, it has 4-lane ProRacer slides and a crazy whirlpool called the Vortex. Also, don’t miss Parc aquatique Bromont (picture) in the Eastern Townships -- bronze medal winner for outdoor travel and adventure at the 2002 edition of the Grands Prix du tourisme. From alpine luge to the Tarzan pool, there is wet ’n wild fun for everyone!

Lastly, to combine water thrills and animal discovery, nothing beats the venerable Parc Safari or the Granby Zoo’s Amazoo, the largest heated wave pool in Quebec. We’re having a hot summer... treat yourself to a refreshing family outing!

Guillaume Rivard
2008-04-10