This winter, experience the chills, thrills, snow, and ice from a different perspective. Savor the possibilities of a culinary snowsports tour in Italy. Conquer any fear of steep and deep with a specialty ski or snowboard program. View the frozen winterscape from the warmth of an excursion train. Be dazzled by the brilliance of the Northern Lights. Splurge on handmade ski boots. Careen down a snow-packed track or a sled, bobsled, or skeleton or glide across Olympic ice.
Ride the rails and slide the trails in Quebec City
Enjoy a winter immersion without getting chilled aboard the new Charlevoix Excursion Train (877-536-2774; www.lemassif.com/en/train). The scenic rail tour begins winter operation in February, with 19 scheduled round trips between Montmorency Falls and La Malbaie. Panoramic windows allow passengers to view the frozen wilderness, remote villages, and small towns, as the train edges the ice-choked St. Lawrence River. Eleven trips (Feb. 3, 4, 10, 11, and 25; March 10, 17, 24, and 31; and April 6 and 7) are designated as ski trains. These stop at the base of Le Massif de Charlevoix at 9:30 a.m. and depart at 5 p.m.; the $225 fare includes a lift ticket, a hot breakfast served en route in the morning, and a tapas selection on the return. While at the alpine resort, ratchet up the adventure level by trying rodeling, a European-style, 7.5-kilometer, family-oriented sled ride down Le Massif’s Mont a Ligouori. The 1.5-hour tour ($29) includes transportation to the departure point by snow machine; the 2.5-hour tour ($34) includes a guided snowshoe trek to the start. For those who prefer to simply enjoy the winter scenery without skiing or snowboarding, other train options include a Saturday overnight in La Malbaie and a gourmet Sunday rail cruise with lunch and four-course dinner. All rates are per person.
