Those texts are extracts from the Magazine Chic-Chocs, realized by the CLD de la Haute-Gaspésie
Too close by to skip!
Text wrote by Louis Fradette et Margaret Kraenzel, Co-spokesperson, Comité de protection des Chic-Chocs
A bit off the beaten track, La Matanie is filled with amazing delights, from the coast to the Matane wildlife reserve.
Easily accessible wilderness. Abundant, endlessly fascinating wildlife. Picture-perfect mountain peaks, some more than 1,000 metres high. Trails to explore on skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. The western portion of the Chic-Chocs offers surprising experiences and incredible landscapes.
The Comité de protection des Chic-Chocs is working to preserve the rich flora and fauna of the mountainous part of the Matane wildlife reserve under protected area status.
Louis Fradette and Margaret Kraenzel, co-spokespersons for the committee, rave about this little corner of paradise. “Anyone who straps on skis or snowshoes to venture into this exceptional area is rewarded a hundredfold by its striking natural beauty” exclaims Louis Fradette. “You can see golden eagles at Ruisseau des Pitounes starting in early March every year,” enthuses Margaret Kraenzel.
Snowmobiling: Pure happiness
Text wrote by Maria Fortin, snowmobile club Les Amoureux de la motoneige
With 340 kilometres of trails stretching from the coast to the Chic-Chocs, La Matanie is a must for snowmobiling enthusiasts.
“We live smack in the middle of snowmobile country!” rejoices Maria Fortin, secretary-treasurer and communications coordinator for the snowmobile club, Les amoureux de la motoneige. Known for high quality accommodations and services, La Matanie has everything snowmobilers are looking for: excellent trail conditions, plenty of snow, and wayside snowmobile clubhouses in almost every village. In winter, La Matanie becomes a true snowmobiling paradise!
The ideal day, according to Maria Fortin: “We head out on the trail from Matane to the wayside Relais de la Cache in the Chic-Chocs. We just make the round trip or we can continue on to the Grand Tour of the Gaspésie. The scenery is breathtaking!”
White paws in the snow!
Texte wrote by Pascal Paquet, owner of Aventure Pattes blanches
Across snow-covered fields and on woods trails in Saint-Ulric, sled dogs lead the way as wind turbines look down approvingly.
“You have to experience this at least once in your life!” Pascal Paquet hears these words from clients almost every week in the winter. His company, Aventure Pattes blanches, has been introducing the young and young-atheart to the joys of dog sledding since 2010.
“I’ve had the pleasure of accompanying an 80-year-old man who wanted to mush himself,” Paquet recalls. “Everyone can enjoy the experience; we simply adjust the trip to our customers’ physical capabilities. And when they see how gorgeous the scenery is, they all want to come back!”
Fatbiking: Winter, oversized
Wrote by Nelson Côté, vice-président du Club de vélo Éolien de Matane
A dedicated fatbiking trail in the heart of Matane offers a different way to enjoy winter. Snow cycling is becoming very popular. With tires twice as wide mountain-bike tires, fatbikes have the traction to handle snow-covered surfaces. And enthusiasm for the sport is growing, according to Nelson Côté, vice-president of the Club de vélo Éolien. The bicycling club maintains the only groomed trail for winter fatbiking in eastern Quebec, right in the heart of Matane. “It’s a very accessible sport. If you can go snowshoeing, you can go fatbiking!”
Après-ski lighted by the aurora borealis
Wrote by Annie Joncas, marketing and restaurant manager of Mont-Castor
Everything tastes better after a day in the great outdoors. Long live après-ski evenings! Torn between the Beaver Jam and the Hill Drag, skiing and skimo, snowshoeing and snow tubing? No matter how you spend the day, you’ll enjoy the evening!
Nightlife in La Matanie is rich and varied, says Annie Joncas, marketing and restaurant manager at Mont Castor. “From the Oblivio Spa to the friendly microbrewery, from fine restaurants to downtown cafés, there are plenty of places to just kick back or enjoy some great food. And if you’re lucky, you’ll fall asleep under the luminous magic of the northern lights!”