Toronto to Le Massif and Mont Sainte Anne
Love Ontario’s Family Day long weekend? It’s perfect for a Quebec ski getaway to Le Massif and Mont Sainte Anne! With Monday off, you’ve got time for both ski resorts.
Here’s how we did it: We left Brampton at 1pm on Thursday with our dog Jade, heading to Quebec City. The drive was smooth – we avoided Montreal traffic by taking Highway 30. By 9pm, we checked into our hotel in Quebec City. Meanwhile, our son Kevin was at Ottawa airport, ready to fly to Hokkaido for his reading week ski trip!
After a quick hotel breakfast at 7 AM, we drove 50 minutes from Quebec City to Le Massif Ski Resort. Here’s something unique – the parking lot is at the summit, so you’re greeted with jaw-dropping views right away. We loved that non-skiers don’t need to pay for gondola tickets to enjoy the scenery!
Le Massif: Skiing into the St. Lawrence
Le Massif Ski Resort is under Mountain Collective Pass. The views are incredible – every run faces the ice-filled St. Lawrence River. It feels like you’re skiing right into the ocean!
The snow was surprisingly good. They’d had 4 meters of accumulation this season, plus 38+5 cm in recent days. Some spots still had fresh powder snow. Even the morning groomed runs were soft. Only the bottom merge trail got icy by afternoon.
The trails offered something for everyone. Mogul runs below the lift were gentle, sheltered by trees that kept the snow fresh. We didn’t get to explore every trail on the map – one day wasn’t enough – but what we did ski was unforgettable.
The summit restaurant at Le Massif Ski Resort is famous for good reason. A bit overwhelmed by French menus, we ended up with a simple but delicious pizza and pasta. They were much better than what we’d had at Mont Sainte Anne the next day.
Fun fact: Le Massif is the highest vertical drop (770m) east of the Canadian Rockies. Back in the late 70s, people used snowmobiles to reach the top. By the 80s, they switched to school buses, and finally got lifts in 1992. Since 2002, when the former Cirque du Soleil owner bought it, they’ve modernized everything – even using magnetic lift tickets.
Mont Sainte Anne: Skiing with Friends
We met our friends from Barrie Ontario, at Motel Condo Chez Charley in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Just 10 minutes from the slopes, this motel has fully equipped kitchens – perfect for our group to cook and enjoy meals together! This was one of the main reasons we chose this motel, as its spacious kitchen allowed us to bond over good food and great company.
Mont Sainte Anne ski resort is under Epic Pass and RCR pass.The ski area has front and back sides. The front has two chairlifts and a gondola, while the back has one chairlift and a T-bar. Though not as powdery as Le Massif, the snow was great. We spent most of our time skiing glades, especially on the more relaxed back side.
Mont Sainte Anne ski resort is a major Eastern training center – we kept seeing young racers practicing. The place really came alive on Saturday – apparently a record crowd this season!
Related Reading: Looking to make the most of your ski pass? Check out Epic Pass Ski Resorts and Mountain Collective Ski Adventures for more inspiration on where to hit the slopes this season!
Side Trips
Before heading home Monday, we visited:
- Sainte Anne Basilica – one of Quebec’s three major churches
- Montmorency Falls – 84m high, taller than Niagara!
- Old Quebec City – North America’s only walled city, a UNESCO site
- Fairmont Chateau Frontenac – the iconic 1893 railway hotel
If you’d rather sit back and enjoy the sights without worrying about driving, consider joining a guided day tour, which includes Old Quebec City and Montmorency Falls. Plus, free cancellation for peace of mind!
Traveling with family? If someone in your group isn’t skiing or prefers to explore the area instead of hitting the slopes, find out more guided tours to experience Quebec’s history and natural beauty while others are on the mountain!
Where to Stay Skiing Le Massif and Mont Sainte Anne
Stay Closer to the Slope
The town Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré offers a wide range of options, though it doesn’t provide the upscale dining and luxury accommodations you’d find in Mont Tremblant. Hotels and motels here stand out for their great value, allowing you to stretch your ski dollars further. There are plenty of options along the main road, all just 11 km from Mont-Sainte-Anne. We’ve been here three times and stayed at different hotels each visit.
If you prefer to stay right on the mountain, Mont-Sainte-Anne Resort has a range of slopeside accommodations, making it easy to hit the trails first thing in the morning. If you’re a CSIA or CASI ski instructor, you may even qualify for a discount on lodging.
Looking for a place to stay? Compare the best hotel deals near Mont-Sainte-Anne and find the perfect spot for your ski trip!
In Quebec City
We suggest staying close to the ski resort to save time traveling back and forth each day. Especially in winter, less driving means fewer worries about bad weather and icy road conditions.
If you stay in Quebec City, you can enjoy the beautiful city views and lots of activities, but it will add extra travel time to the ski slopes each day.
Got more days for your ski vacation? Thinking about a road trip visiting ski resorts in eastern US? Or flying west to explore the Canadian Rockies? We have tips and ideas to help plan your trip!
