Eastern Townships LODGING?

[Gpaul]

Hola again! Yep, still planning on Quebec for 3/25-4/10.

Can y'all suggest some CHEAP Hotels/Motels, Lodges, etc. that would be "central" for driving to Owl, Orford, Sutton, and Bromont.
3/27 Owl
3/28 Orford
3/29 Bromont
3/30 Sutton
3/31 Back to Orford (unless others are better)

We'd like someplace that offers a FULL Breakfast Buffet, dinner we'll explore.

Got a good Package at La Maison Hatley, but it seems the nicest Town is Magog???

Read a nice review on Auberge Schweizer????

Gracias!

 

[ChileMass]

Well, on the front page of the website below is an ad for the place I have stayed the last couple of seasons in Magog - Club Azur on Route 112. You'll have to decide if C$87 meets your definition of cheap or not. Their condos are nice, right off the highway and 5 min from Orford. http://www.cantonsdelest.com/

I like Magog a lot. The downtown has a bunch of bars/restaurants/clubs, the lake is huge and beautiful, and the French culture is really enjoyable, IMO. I like going just over the broder and having a completely different ski experience than anything you'll get in New England or NY.

Don't know anything about Auberge Schweitzer, but lots of the spas up there look nice, and all that I have checked out are reasonably priced, especially compared to US accomodations.

Have fun - I'll be there in Feb.

 

[Gpaul]

Thanky! Unfortunately that's for a period in December, but I'll check it out later on.

Any suggestions on a place with Full Breakfast Buffet?

 

[ChileMass]

Thanky! Unfortunately that's for a period in December, but I'll check it out later on.

Any suggestions on a place with Full Breakfast Buffet?

Nah - we usually make breakfast and get to the hill early........there are a lot of places downtown in Magog.

 

[Gpaul]

Tks Chile.

Based on your apparent knowledge of the area, for long steep groomers, should we avoid any hill (Bromont, Owl, Orford, Sutton)? I hear alot about sous-bois skiing in Sutton...., and we're not really keen on tree skiing, yet!

Gracias.

 

[ChileMass]

Tks Chile.

Based on your apparent knowledge of the area, for long steep groomers, should we avoid any hill (Bromont, Owl, Orford, Sutton)? I hear alot about sous-bois skiing in Sutton...., and we're not really keen on tree skiing, yet!

Gracias.

I have to admit I have only skied Orford to date. Last year my crew bailed out on me the days we were going to go to Jay and Owl's Head, but hopefully we'll get there this Feb. Owl's Head looks steep! It's a very impressive-looking pyramid right next to the lake. It's gotta have some steep stuff.

As for sous-bois, Orford is all over that. When the snow is deep, I have never seen so many people head off into the woods as at Orford, and they have lots of glades and natural terrain to check out.

For sur-piste trails, Maxi is about as steep as you'll find anywhere. When they do the daytime groom on it, it's truly epic. My bro and I were arc-ing out rooster tails on GS turns that had to be 100 feet in radius, It was sweet. Magnum is relatively short, but also an excellent steep trail and Trois Ruisseaux (3 Brooks) also has several nice steep sections. Most of their blacks are half-groomed, half-natural, so it works for everyone. A lot of Orford's blue runs are in the upper end of the scale as well - plenty of challenge at this hill. My group loves to do laps on Grande Coulee.

As you can tell, I'm a big Orford cheerleader.......

Bon chance et Bon temps - !!

 

[Gpaul]

You sold me on Orford! But is it worth more than 1 day compared to Bromont and Sutton ( I expect Owl is good for only 1 day, given it's small size, but nice vertical)?

We're used to Stowe, Stratton, Sugarloag, Loon, Cannon, Oekmo, etc.

 

[ChileMass]

You sold me on Orford! But is it worth more than 1 day compared to Bromont and Sutton ( I expect Owl is good for only 1 day, given it's small size, but nice vertical)?

We're used to Stowe, Stratton, Sugarloag, Loon, Cannon, Oekmo, etc.

Last Feb I skied Orford 4 times in 6 days, and I was definitely ready for a change in scenery. Jay is an hour away (add time for crossing border), and the other Quebec hills are within 20 minutes, so you should check out some other areas. Stay in Magog - it's the best town in the area unless you want a lot of privacy.

Orford reminds me of Loon. It's a bit smaller (1800' of vertical), but it has a lot of varied terrain on 3 separate hills. You probably won't ski much on Mont Alfred Desrosiers, which is primarily for kids/beginners, but it's fun to go over there and take a few runs with the kids. The two primary hills (Mont Orford and Mont Giroux) should be able to hold your interest for a couple days.

 

[WWF-VT]

Link for the area http://www.easterntownships.org/