Happy New Year, guys!

Hope 2020 is treating you well so far. I always feel like January is the longest month of the year (which I suppose is actually a good thing, as it allows us a chance to get our stride back after the chaos of the holiday season!).

A few weeks back, I was able to get away for a few days with my friend, Jack, to adventure north of the border. If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you may remember we actually took a similar trip to Canada last December, too! Québec is one of my favorite provinces no matter the season, but it truly shines brightest during the holidays.

Our first stop was to one of my favorite ski towns in the northeast (and happens to be an Ikon destination!) : Mont-Tremblant. This time around, we stayed in a cabin half an hour away in Sainte-Agathe-Des-Monts. The location is off the beaten path, which allowed us to enjoy the charm and really recharge our mental batteries.

After a good night’s sleep, we made the quick trek over to one of the most tranquil settings, the Scandinave Spa in Mont Tremblant. This was my third time visiting the spa, and each time I leave completely relaxed and rejuvenated. The cherry on top of the day was heading back to the cabin, taking a nap, and spending the evening lounging by a roaring fire. It’s not often we get “off” days like this, so when they come around I go FULL cozy, ha!

After our restful day, we were ready for some adventure! We made our way back to Mont-Tremblant for a fun day on the mountain. If you ever have a chance to ski/ride here, make sure to take advantage of the daily guides offered! They’re free and available for all levels, and offers a great way to familiarize yourself with the trails. All the guides are extremely friendly and knowledgeable of the mountain and surrounding area. We had such a blast, we ended up exploring until the last chair! After snapping some photos in the adorable village, we were ready to hit the road to our next destination : Québec City.

From my very first visit to Québec City a few years back, I was completely enamored by the historic charm throughout. Of course, I was immediately taken by the Hogwarts-esque castle that is the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. The grand hotel overlooks the Saint Lawrence River, and sits above the picturesque Quartier Petit Champlain (not to be missed during the holidays!) . And this time around, we were lucky enough to be able to stay there! It’s central location was perfect for all the exploring we had planned.

From the toboggan run right alongside, nearby skating rinks, to countless cafes, restaurants, and shops mere steps away, staying at the Fairmont made for the perfect lodging choice. And if you nerd out over history like me, you have to carve out time to visit the photo gallery on the lower level. There’s some truly special photos of the hotel, going back to the 1800s!

After spending a couple days exploring the city, it was time to head home. I was definitely dragging my feet on that last day, I didn’t want to leave! Until next time :)

xo

J.