This may be North America’s coldest winter in recent memory but you’ll wish it were longer if visiting the world’s largest log cabin in Quebec. Why? Fairmont’s Le Chateau Montebello in Quebec’s Outaouais region has elements history and nature aficionados can find nowhere else.
It’s BIG
Inspired by chalets in the Alps, the Chateau is a large wooden building that made headlines when it was built and almost ninety years later, hasn’t lost its appeal. Built in a headline grabbing four months during the Great Depression this three-story chateau has a massive six-sided fireplace in the three-story lobby. Stepping into the lobby you’ll appreciate the craftsmanship that shaped 10,000 logs into the walls and ceilings and give the place a fairy tale aura.
You’ll feel famous
You may feel like you’ve living the lifestyle of the rich and famous and you’d be right. For years the resort was a private club and a favourite destination for celebrities and politicians. Princess Grace and Prince Rainer of Monaco were guests. The G7 has been hosted here, as have NATO meetings and gatherings of presidents and prime ministers. Looking at the famous faces in photos lining the walls is a stroll through history.
Your inner musher will come to life
On the banks of the Ottawa River halfway between Ottawa and Montreal the Château is surrounded by Quebec wilderness. You can learn to drive a dog sled or explore 42 kilometers of cross-country ski trails.
You can learn to hurry hard
Curling – rural Canada’s favorite winter pastime – doesn’t require the fancy duds made famous by the Norwegian Olympic curlers but technique is important. Every guest gets a free curling lesson in the Chateau’s four-sheet curling arena. You’ll be surprised at how much fun it is to throw a rock or hurry hard as you sweep your teammate’s rock to victory!
Your backstroke will be better
All that bending and stretching will put you in the mood for a dip in Canada’s largest indoor hotel pool with its own log cabin (it was built slightly shorter than Olympic length so athletes wouldn’t want to train here) or let you dine guilt-free at Open Table’s 2018 Diners’ Choice – Aux Chantignoles.
Elk will love you
It’s hard to leave the resort but if you like wildlife, you’ll enjoy visiting Parc Omega where you’re encouraged to feed elk and deer and you can score great photos of arctic fox and wolves.
Plan a visit here.
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