Au Diable Vert: A Nature Getaway and Immersion Under the Stars in Sutton

When the need to escape the daily grind is clearly felt, very few experiences match leaving behind the urban buzz and the artificial brightness of the streetlights to be totally immersed in the silence of the forest. In Sutton, nestled on a plateau at an altitude of more than a thousand feet, the Au Diable Vert mountain resort offers exactly such a return to basics.

By combining an eclectic variety of unique accommodations and a wide-ranging program of outdoor and astronomic activities, the venue establishes itself as a totally complete destination.

A DarkSky Reserve in Sutton

Recently certified as Canada’s very first Dark Sky Lodging by DarkSky International, Au Diable Vert offers you an experience where time seems suspended between the treetops and the celestial dome. This recognition comes as a true reward for all the dedicated efforts made over the years to preserve the site’s natural darkness. Already designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2018, the resort boasts a darkness quality measured at 21.63 mag/arcsec², an index that places it among the best venues for stargazing in southern Québec. The DarkSky International Certification recognizes not only the purity of the sky, but also highlights the adoption of responsible lighting practices and a rigorous educational component.

Did you know? The entire site is designed to minimize the human footprint on the nocturnal landscape. Access to all lodging proposals is exclusively via walking paths, guaranteeing complete audio and visual tranquility conducive to marvelling at the immensity of the universe.

The ObservÉtoiles Experience

The nocturnal experience reaches its pinnacle with the resort’s ObservÉtoiles. This open-air planetarium, a world first, uses augmented reality to reveal all the secrets of the cosmos. Comfortably settled in a hillside amphitheatre seating up to 184 participants, you’ll be given a state-of-the-art augmented reality headset, allowing you to overlay star maps and constellation illustrations onto the sky. Guided by experts, this activity transforms passive contemplation into an interactive exploration and a rich learning experience. Each presentation offers you the opportunity to discover the planets’ different cycles and the mythological stories linked to the stars.

Shelters Perched Between the Treetops and the Cosmos

The resort’s selection of lodgings reflects the surrounding landscape’s diversity and a commitment to staying close to the natural elements. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist pod for two, or a playful treehouse accommodating up to eight guests, every unit is designed for complete immersion in nature. For a more traditional stay, fully equipped mountain apartments combine modern comfort and proximity to the forest. If you’re into simplicity, the resort invites you to replace the daily urban bustle with pristine silence when you choose one of their rustic tent campsites.

Staying overnight offers an exclusive advantage: after-dark access to the trails, and the site is strictly reserved for overnight guests and ObservÉtoiles participants.

Sustainable commitment: Au Diable Vert has obtained a GreenStep Gold certification, attesting to responsible environmental management. By choosing this establishment, you’re supporting a tourism model that places the protection of natural resources, including the night sky, at the very heart of its priorities.

A Year-Round Playground

While the night belongs to astronomers, outdoor explorers own the day thanks to a program of activities evolving throughout the months. As soon as summer arrives, the resort becomes a destination of choice for water sports. You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, or inner tubes and float your way slowly down the river.

During both the summer and autumn months, the 22 km network of trails sets the scene for some of the most memorable hiking experiences. The resort’s elevated landscape offers a vast space for admiring the surrounding mountains and Vermont valleys. Indeed, it’s the ideal setting to get moving with friends, family, your partner, or simply by yourself as you discover the beauty of our forests.

And, when a thick blanket of snow covers the ground, Au Diable Vert transforms itself for winter when hikers give way to snowshoe and ski hok enthusiasts.

Exclusive in Canada: VéloVolant

In summer, the resort’s flagship activity is definitely the VéloVolant experience. The only one of its kind in the country, this aerial course invites you to explore the forest in a totally original way. Suspended on steel cables several metres above the ground, you’ll pedal your way across the canopy at your own pace. Cycling this way across the trees not only allows you to enjoy a feeling of freedom, but also offers a very different perspective as you look down at the forest’s ecosystem and the region’s breathtaking panoramas. The activity combines a little physical effort with a bit of adrenaline and nature observation.

Plan Your Visit to Au Diable Vert

Open year-round, the resort welcomes both day visitors and vacationers looking for a mountain stay. However, because of its popularity and the amphitheatre’s limited seating capacity for the astronomy evening shows, reservations are essential. We suggest you plan your outing by consulting date availabilities online to make sure you enjoy the full experience, from the treetops to the far reaches of the galaxy.