Experience Mont-Orford National Park, Quebec
Thursday Feb 29 – Sunday March 3rd, 2024
Leaders Jim and Patti Blair
Here is a brand-new winter destination for our Club! Mont-Orford National Park is in the heart of the Eastern Townships in Quebec and is a hot spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. We will be staying at Le Manoir des Sables, a few short kms away from the park.
Please Note: Masks are no longer required on the HOC bus. Wearing a mask is optional and the choice remains at the discretion of the individual, as their own comfort and concern dictates. If provincial regulations change, mask mandates will change accordingly.
Itinerary
Thursday Feb 29: We will depart Burlington at 8:00 a.m. from the Guelph Line Carpool Parking area on the north side of the QEW at Guelph Line where overnight parking is free. Guelph Line Carpool Parking - Google Maps. We will make a quick OnRoute stop in Port Hope and then stop at an OnRoute near Kingston for lunch. We will stop for 1 hour in Bromont Quebec for an early dinner (numerous options available) and drive a short distance to the Manoir des Sables for check in at approximately 6:00 p.m. It’s time to unpack, relax, use the amenities, or take an evening winter stroll on the grounds.
Friday March 1st: Breakfast at the hotel will be served starting at 7:00 a.m. The bus will depart at 9:00 for the 5-minute drive to the Visitor Centre at Mont-Orford National Park. The park offers 50 kms of classic skiing and 26 km of skate trails of varying levels of difficulty, as well as snowshoe trails ranging from 2.5 to 16 kms. There are also trails available for winter hiking. The bus will depart the park at 3:45, to arrive back at the hotel before 4:00 (see option below for early departure).
There will be a cocktail reception at the hotel from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed immediately by dinner in our reserved banquet room. (one glass of wine is included in your package).
**Optional Early Departure:With the park being so close to the hotel and the town of Magog, we are planning to offer an early departure from the park on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The bus will drive you back to the hotel, allowing time for a change of clothing, then drive you into Magog for the afternoon. This allows you a few hours to explore the town, Lake Memphremagog, and/or pick up groceries. The bus will pick you up in town at 5:00 p.m. to return to the hotel. If you wish to spend the afternoon at the hotel, that is fine too.
Saturday March 2nd:After breakfast, the bus departs at 9:00 a.m. for the 5-minute drive to Mont-Orford National Park. Once again, an earlier departure will be offered at 1:30, for those who wish. (see details above). The later departure will be at 3:45, taking you to the hotel by 4:00 p.m. Dinner at the hotel will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday March 3: After breakfast we pack, check out and the bus departs at 9:00 a.m. for the 5-minute drive to Orford Provincial Park. After a morning of skiing and snowshoeing and eating lunch at the Visitor Centre, we will load the bus and start the drive home. You may want to pack a change of clothes for the bus. The bus will depart Mont-Orford National Park at 2:00 p.m. We will stop in at an OnRoute near Kingston for one hour for dinner. Our estimated arrival time in Burlington is 10:00 p.m.
Mont-Orford National Park Parc national du Mont-Orford - National Parks - Sépaq (sepaq.com)
The park is in the heart of the Eastern Townships in Quebec and within minutes of our hotel. As stated, there are 50 kms of classic and 26 kms of skate trails that can accommodate all levels of skiing ability. There are ample snowshoe trails and some potential for winter hiking. Plan to bring what you need with you for the day. There is a very comfortable Visitor Centre where you can leave your belongings while you ski or snowshoe. The Visitor Centre is equipped with only a snack bar, so we recommend that you pack your own lunches. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available and do not have to be booked in advance.
Manoir des Sables Manoir des Sables | Hotel & Golf in Orford
Rooms Include:
The Town of Magog
Magog is a very picturesque town located at the north end of Lake Memphremagog. There is a lovely walking path along the lake, a marshland walking trail nearby, and when conditions allow, there is also a 2.7 km skating trail in the winter. The town itself has many boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. If you are looking for groceries, it has the most amazing Metro we have ever seen!
The cost of the trip is $825 (double occupancy) or $1015 (single occupancy) (4 available)
If you are a snowshoer, the price is $785 (double occupancy) or $975 (single occupancy)
**NOTE: You can only register for snowshoeing if you plan to exclusively snowshoe. If you ski and snowshoe you must register as a skier.
NOTE: If we are unable to match you up with a roommate and there are no alternative rooming arrangements, we will cancel your registration and process a refund.
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
· lunches (bring/make your own)
· 1 dinner on the first night (buy your own)
· Drinks are not included in your hotel dinners.
· On Route stops (food)
· room cleaning gratuities
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, please contact Cheryl, our Club Manager at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca.
If you need to cancel, a refund (less a $25.00 processing fee), will ONLY be issued if we can replace you from the waitlist.
If the trip is cancelled by the club at any point, you will be given a full refund.
If the trip experiences inclement weather that interferes with our planned activities, the trip will NOT be cancelled. Leaders will try to find suitable alternative activities.
While in progress, if the trip experiences unexpected circumstances that are beyond our control, that result in changes to the itinerary and unexpected expenses, members are responsible for any extra expenses that may be incurred.
Questions? Contact Jim or Patti Blair: pblair24@cogeco.ca jblair87@cogeco.ca