Would you intend a winter journey simply to go snow tubing in Quebec? After spending a day at Village Vacances Valcartier simply exterior of Quebec Metropolis, my reply could be an emphatic sure. I’ve tried snow tubing throughout the U.S. and I’ve by no means skilled a vacation spot like this.
“That is the final run…critically…I imply it this time,” I informed my daughter as we flopped ourselves into the shifting tubes to be hauled up the mountain by way of tow rope for what gave the impression to be our twenty second snow tubing run and in regards to the third time I had uttered these phrases.
This was a far cry from the trepidatious household that first arrived at Village Vacances Valcartier, North America’s largest winter playground just a few hours earlier — one in every of us petrified of heights, one other petrified of rides, and the baby not feeling 100%. A bit bravery, slightly Advil, and numerous enjoyable later, all of us have been reluctant to go away and put an epic winter day.
About Village Vacances Valcartier
Not like some snow tubing parks related to ski mountains, Valcartier, positioned simply 20 minutes exterior of Quebec Metropolis in Canada, focuses on tubing, with greater than 35 slides (wow!!), 5,000 inside tubes, and 17 mechanical lifts to carry you to the highest of the mountain.
Village Vacances Valcartier is a year-round vacation spot for households with an outside waterpark, Winter Playground, Bora Parc indoor waterpark, and the Aroma Spa.
This resort additionally consists of quite a lot of lodging, together with the year-round, four-star Hôtel Valcartier, an ultra-modern 600-site campground, and 7 rustic cabins for summer season friends. The resort’s pièce de résistance is the Hôtel de Glace (Ice Resort), which, since 2016 is sculpted each winter with a distinct design and consists of visitor rooms and an Ice Bar.
Snow Tubing in Quebec: Village Vacances Valcartier
Valcartier not solely has extra snow tubing runs than another mountain I’ve seen, in addition they have some actually progressive (and presumably hair-raising) rides! The snow tubing slides are rated in accordance with thrill stage from everybody to excessive. There are additionally tubes for teams, just like the snow rafting or Twister, whereas different slides work with one to eight individuals at a time.
Fortunately all of the runs are labeled similar to ski slopes: inexperienced = straightforward/newbie; blue = intermediate; black diamond = troublesome/quick; double black diamond = loopy quick; so it was straightforward sufficient to seek out one thing that suited our temperament. Additionally, the 2 primary lifts from the lodge space introduced us to the highest of the identical mountain and it was straightforward to stroll throughout to a different sliding space to take a look at the runs.
Avalanche
If you wish to begin sluggish, take the rope tow carry to the fitting of the lodge when going through the mountain and on the prime, take a second smaller carry to the Avalanche space. However don’t fear, whereas Avalanche sounds scary, you may come proper again down that quick second carry part on Path #24 — very sluggish, very straightforward and introduction to snow tubing, particularly for smaller kids or scaredy cats.
Twister
From the Avalanche part you may also discover the “Twister” tube, which seats three to eight individuals and is supplied with a particular mechanism that makes it spin because it slides (no thanks, I’m all set with spinny rides.)
Snow Rafting
Think about taking the white water rafting expertise and placing into on snow. Within the Snow Rafting part, there are three slides with rafts that match 4 to 12 individuals every. Everybody jumps in and then you definitely race down the slide at lightning velocity (the extra individuals you have got, the quicker it goes.
Himalaya
We took a stroll by the woods and previous just a few of Valcartier’s 600, four-star tenting websites to take a look at the view of the frozen Jacques-Cartier River, the place you are able to do some actual white water rafting in the summertime. For the reason that Himalaya slides on this space have been all double black diamonds, reaching 80 km/h and giving the impression of dashing off the sting of the mountain towards the frozen river valley under, we headed again to our consolation zone within the Central Part.
Central Part
As we approached our first run and seemed down the mountain on the tiny individuals under, all of us have been just a bit nervous for our first run. Photos of concussions, bruised tailbones, and bone-jarring bumps raced by my thoughts.
As we checked out one another to see who would go first, I knew it was time to take the leap. With the primary little bit of acceleration, I acquired that very same drop in my abdomen that incites panic at any time when I’m going on a trip and instantly threw down a heel to sluggish myself down. However quickly the velocity took over and I relaxed and went with the circulation…or the slide…and inside seconds I used to be coasting to a cease on the backside of the hill and turning to present a thumbs as much as my daughter, who was subsequent in line.
Within the Central Part, we discovered a mixture of greens, blues, and a few blacks that stored us busy and pleased all day. On this space, the supervision isn’t as tight because the quicker runs, which have displays posted on the prime of every run to get individuals linked and spaced out correctly, however there have been nonetheless gates that raised when it was secure for the following slider to begin.
We went up and down for hours in each mixture doable: everybody alone, mommy & daughter, daddy & daughter, and one household run; with a number of runs on our favourite trails (#12, 14, 8 & 9.) Each trip as clean as silk, no bumps, no bruises, and not any concern.
It’s straightforward to spend the whole day snow tubing at Valcartier — whether or not you’re a daredevil or a hen. Between six eating places and snack bars, two bars, and loads of house to get pleasure from a packed lunch. We have been additionally pleased to seek out loads of lockers out there for lease.
Valcartier could be very family-friendly, providing a kids’s playground with tunnels and slides, animal mascots, household video games that would win you a free maple taffy from the sugar shack, and pop music enjoying within the background.
Ice Skating
In order for you a break from snow tubing, you may go ice skating as an alternative. Village Vacances Valcartier has a one kilometer skating path and you may hearken to music as you glide by the snowy panorama. Skate leases can be found so don’t fear if you happen to didn’t carry your individual!
Ideas for Snow Tubing in Quebec:
- Costume heat — put on layers and persist with wool or artificial blends versus cotton
- Don’t neglect your hand heaters, foot heaters, tissues, lip balm and sunscreen
- Ski goggles or sun shades are useful to maintain the wind and snow out of your face
- Snow pants and snow boots are a should!
Going snow tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier is a superb addition to attending the Quebec Winter Carnival (one other of my favourite issues to do within the winter!) or visiting Quebec Metropolis with youngsters. You could possibly additionally add on a go to to Saguenay Lac St Jean to see the attractive fjords and luxuriate in a while in a Nordic Spa.
Notice: Our keep in Quebec Metropolis was hosted by Tourism Quebec, Quebec Metropolis Tourism, and tickets and a tour have been offered by Village Vacances Valcartier however my opinions are my very own — and we cherished it! The featured picture on the prime of this put up was courtesy of Village Vacances Valcartier.
