Hotel Intel: Mont-Sainte-Anne chalets and condos updated by new owner
Mont-Ste-Anne is the centre of sporting life year-round as well as a magnificent vantage point for breathtaking river views.
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Real-estate wizard François Turcotte has merged old and new to create a mini-empire of deluxe vacation lodging at Mont-Ste-Anne and St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, a neighbouring community.
Turcotte owns and/or manages two superior developments in one of Quebec’s most prized outdoor sports areas and has a cosy cocoon for almost every type of traveller.
The first is Hébergement Mont-Sainte-Anne, a pair of condo buildings at the base of the mountain that are ideal for visitors who want to golf, hike or mountain-bike in summer, and ski, snowboard or cross-country ski in winter. The snow-sports season will continue until April 21 (daily until April 14, then April 19-21).
Turcotte’s other domain is Chalets-Village Mont-Sainte-Anne, an umbrella for a variety of 60 townhouses, condos and historic country houses. The chalets and townhouses have between two and 32 bedrooms. The larger chalets are rare commodities, suitable for multi-generational family celebrations, bachelor or bachelorette parties, sports clubs or corporate retreats in beautiful surroundings.
Neighbourhood: This is the Côte-de-Beaupré, a stretch along the shore of the St. Lawrence River, about 40 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.
All of Turcotte’s lodgings have well-equipped kitchens, but if you want to dine out, La Grange Brasserie Italienne is the newest go-to for good service, good prices and a menu of risotto, pasta, pizza and scallopini, with intriguing takes on desserts like cannelloni with ricotta, chocolate-caramel pizza and tiramisu with mascarpone and espresso.
Mont-Ste-Anne is the centre of sporting life year-round as well as a magnificent vantage point for breathtaking river views. On the tame side, you can ride the gondola or hike to an 800-metre summit. Ramping up the adrenaline, mountain biking is the highlight, featuring enduro, cross-country and downhill thrills. For learning and warmups, there’s a pump track with banked corners (berms) and rollers, as well as a kiddies’ section. The summer season begins May 18 for cross-country biking and June 22 for downhill.
Mont-Ste-Anne’s summers are heaven for families. Kids can use the playground at the mountain’s base and the gang can fuel up at the barbecue. (Check for opening hours.)
Le Grand Vallon, a par-72 golf course that is set to open May 3, has inspirational views of the mountain and packages with Hébergement Mont-Sainte-Anne, almost next door. You can even be picked up by golf cart.
Condos: “The Hébergement condos are privately owned and rented out,” Turcotte said. “They’re well maintained, modern and supremely convenient, with indoor parking and literally steps from the lifts.”
The units are modern and practical, with lots of natural light and full-equipped kitchens. Some have balconies, bathtubs and fireplaces and there are washer-dryers on every floor.
The condo check-in desk and Mont-Sainte-Anne’s ticket office are in the same reception area, so that’s a super-handy advantage. And Hébergement guests can use an indoor pool at the Complexe au Pied du Mont, about one kilometre away.
Chalets-Village: All of the Chalets-Village have modern bathrooms and designer kitchen with washer-dryers and dishwashers, and those that house more than 20 or so people have two dishwashers.
Each of the vintage chalets has its own back story, so you are reliving Quebec’s history. The founder, Gilles Ethier, who is related to François Turcotte, has a passion for restoring heritage houses.
“The core of Chalets-Village is a group of unique cottages, some of which go back 100 years or more.” Turcotte said. “The stone fireplaces, fine wooden floors and beadboard walls still are there, preserving the character, but we have modernized the interior decor, kitchens and bathrooms to be totally contemporary.”
Turcotte rounds out Chalets-Village vacations with free access to an indoor pool and gym at nearby Val-des-Neiges as well as discounts at Aqua Parc Mont-Sainte-Anne, which has waterslides and hot tubs (both approximately three kilometres away).
IF YOU GO
Mont-Ste-Anne is a three-hour drive from Montreal.
Tourisme Côte-de-Beaupré: cotedebeaupre.com. Quebec City Tourism: 877-783-1608, quebec-cite.com.
Mont-Ste-Anne: 888-827-4579, mont-sainte-anne.com; Beaupré. Part of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) and partner of Vail Resorts’ Epic Passes (epicpass.com). Summer: Fees apply for gondola, mountain bike and hiking trails; some Mont-Ste-Anne season passes valid.
Lodging: Prices are sample rates for May (holidays, weekends, June-Oct. and winter can be higher). Discounts for seven nights or more. Partially accessible.
Chalets-Village Mont-Sainte-Anne (historic cottages): 418-826-3331, chalets-village.com, 1815 les Neiges Blvd., St-Ferréol-les-Neiges. Firewood included. Pets accepted in most chalets. Sample rates: Lower-Twin House with five bedrooms for up to 15, starts at $1,020 for two nights; nine-bedroom Le Presbytère for up to 35 people, $2,680.
Hébergement Mont-Sainte-Anne (ski-in condos): 418-827-2002, hebergementmontsainte-anne.ca, Beaupré. Studio for two starts at $296 for two nights; a one-bedroom for two starts at $356 for two nights; a two-bedroom for up to four starts at $396 for two nights. Includes indoor/outdoor parking, lockers.
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