In the winter, Eastern Québec is covered in a thick blanket of snow, which means backcountry ski enthusiasts are in heaven! The Gaspé Peninsula is home to the famous Chic-Choc Mountains, an extension of the Appalachian mountain chain and the skiing mecca of Eastern North America. To find out more about the adventures that await you here, we spoke with three backcountry ski enthusiasts who offer visitors memorable guided outings in the Chic-Chocs.

Mountain School

If you haven’t done much backcountry skiing before or want to have a new winter experience, the Mountain School at Parc national de la Gaspésie can teach you the basics to help you heed the call of the mountains! “The idea is to offer an introduction to backcountry skiing in the mountains,” says Gabriel Gagnon, a professional guide at the school. “We help people learn how to use the gear and develop skills in a safe environment. We always go skiing on the same mountain, giving the group the opportunity to descend it once or twice in a single day.” Note that the Mountain School also offers equipment rentals for backcountry skiing, alpine touring and snowshoeing.

Want to extend your stay in this area? You can choose from several lodging options in both Parc national de la Gaspésie and the Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs: huts, cabins and rooms at the magnificent Gîte du Mont-Albert hotel.

Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs

Located at an altitude of 615 metres (2020 feet) at the heart of the Réserve faunique de Matane, Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs invites you to enjoy a comfortable stay surrounded by nature. This mountain lodge is also the perfect place to participate in your favourite winter activities in the company of experienced guides, including backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, Hok skiing and splitboarding.

Because the lodge can accommodate only 36 guests and offers them exclusive access to a territory of 60 km² (23 sq. mi.), you’ll have the impression you have the mountains all to yourself—including two 1000-metre (3300-foot) peaks! “We offer all kinds of places to ski for all levels,” says the lodge’s director, Guy Laroche, who heads out for a ski run himself at least a couple of times a week. “We have gentler slopes, where it’s very open, which are ideal for people who are new to backcountry skiing, as well as much steeper slopes through the trees, for more experienced skiers,” he adds. This is also great place to observe moose, with an average of 27 moose per 10 km² (4 sq. mi.)!

Depending on visitors’ level of experience and the weather conditions, the guides propose three different activities for the day. “Most of the time, we leave directly from the lodge, whether going up or down the mountain, but on a few occasions we head to other mountains, which involves a 5-km (3-mi.) trip in a tracked vehicle,” says Guy, who thinks the powder snow and breathtaking scenery in the Chic-Chocs is just as exciting as anything you’d find in Western Canada.

Everything is included in your stay (except alcoholic drinks): meals, lodging, transportation from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, guide services and equipment. This is a hassle-free vacation in a warm and welcoming establishment!

Chic-Chac

“Murdochville is the best ski town you can have in terms of terrain quality,” says Félix Rioux, former marketing director at Chic-Chac, a dynamic company that offers guided ski touring (using climbing skins) as well as guided catskiing and heliskiing. “There’s a very authentic atmosphere here! We offer great terrain for all levels of experience, and we’re here to guide you. From beginners to experts, we’ll meet your needs,” he adds.

For Félix, who was once a professional ski photographer and has travelled all over the world, what make the Chic-Chocs so unique is not only the abundance of snow (about 7 metres, or 23 feet, yearly), but also the variety of mountains. “The advantage of coming to Chic-Chac versus bigger ski resorts is that we focus on quality rather than quantity. We don’t get big crowds here, only small groups, and there are no waiting lines,” he adds.

Within the Chic-Chac ski area is Mt. York, which the company is the only one to operate. This has allowed them to develop the terrain, creating glades and slopes as well as installing platforms that simulate small jumps in natural terrain. You’ll also have access to Mt. Porphyre, which overlooks Murdochville and offers stunning panoramic views. Guided outings are also available on Lyall Mountain and Mt. Albert, among others. In recent years, the company has acquired Miller Mountain, which is an ideal place to try out powder skiing and improve your skills.

Chic-Chac never stops expanding the services they offer, much to the delight of ski enthusiasts. In addition to providing accommodations in a lodge as well as in a former presbytery, the company renovated the village church, which became the hub of their activities and includes a bar, restaurant and concert venue.

Are the Chic-Choc Mountains calling to you? Be sure to contact these companies before your visit and discuss your expectations with them. Your guided outing through this “impenetrable barrier” (which is what Chic-Choc means in the Mi’gmaq language) is an experience you’ll never forget!