Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
There’s definitely no shortage of places where you can go cross-country skiing in the Eastern Townships! Want to take up the challenge, but don’t want to spend a lot of money on equipment? Here are nine venues that offer cross-country ski rentals!
By Marie-Claude Masse
You’ll find 30 kilometres of looping trails for different levels of cross-country skiing that will take you across wooded glades. Plein air Coaticook is a well-kept little secret in the Eastern Townships, a great outdoors centre offering equipment rentals for just $10 and free for children aged 12 and under. Super!
Chemin Lacourse, Coaticook — 819 993-2123
Founded by true cross-country skiing enthusiasts, this NPO has created an exceptional place to enjoy the sport. The Richmond-Melbourne Cross-Country Ski Centre offers 42.7 kilometres of trails, an enchanting setting and truly friendly staff. Equipment rentals for all ages are also available!
70, chemin Lay, Melbourne — 819 826-3869
Here, you’ll find Québec’s top sports equipment rental specialists! At Sports aux Puces VéloGare, in Granby, you can rent your cross-country skiing equipment by the season, by the week or by the day. It’s so practical! Nearby, you can practise the sport at the Club de golf Les Cèdres or at the Centre d’interprétation du lac Boivin.
71, rue Denison Est, Granby — 450 777–4438
Whether you prefer the classic skiing style or skating technique, there’s something for everyone at Station touristique Baie-des-Sables, with its superb network of cross-country ski trails. Full cross-country ski gear rentals are available at a low price ($11.81). Plus, you can also rent skis, boots or poles separately.
2370, rue de la Baie-des-Sables, Lac-Mégantic — 819 583–3965
When you think National Park, you’re sure to think of cross-country skiing! The reputation of the Parc National du Mont-Orford is well established! With 50 kilometres of classic and 26 kilometres of skating style ski trails, the park has something for everyone. Equipment rentals are available at the Le Cerisier Visitors Centre, and it’s always free for children aged 17 and under!
200, chemin du Camping, Orford — 1 866 673-6731
The Sutton community is well known for its ability to mobilize people, and Plein air Sutton is another fine example of this! This non-profit organization, managed by a group of dedicated people, plans, conceives, develops and maintains a network of 4-season trails to offer activities with a low environmental impact. Twenty kilometres of classic cross-country skiing (including five kilometres of skating-style), cross-country ski rentals ... this is a great destination to discover!
429, rue Maple in Sutton
The enchanting Parc National du Mont-Mégantic offers you a true incursion into the heart of snow country, with 13 kilometres of cross-country ski trails ranging in difficulty from intermediate to expert. You’ll find all the equipment you’ll need at the Discovery and Visitors’ Centre in the Observatoire sector. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance (1 800 665-6527).
189, route du Parc, Notre-Dame-des-Bois — 819 888–2941
A favourite for family outings, the Base de plein air André Nadeau is the perfect venue for a beginner’s introduction to classic cross-country skiing or for perfecting your cross-country skiing skills! With 8 kilometres of groomed trails, free equipment rentals and a wide range of installations, it’s the perfect place to spend a wonderful day! Psst! Equipment is free for children aged 12 and under (reservations required).
5302, chemin Blanchette, Sherbrooke — 819-864-1907
The most amazing little mountain in the Eastern Townships also welcomes many cross-country skiers to its classic and skating trails. Parc du Mont-Bellevue with its 200-hectare terrain is truly a natural paradise, welcoming visitors free of charge and offering equipment rentals at reasonable prices!
1440, rue Brébeuf, Sherbrooke — 819 821–4559
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