About three hours from Montreal, near Gatineau Park, the Patinage en Forêt natural skating trail winds through trees heavy with fresh snow creating a scene straight out of a winter wonderland.
On special nights, the path flickers in the glow of over 300 tiki torches. The chalet area turns into a lively hangout with music, lights, and a bonfire, while the skating path remains a quiet experience under the stars.
Visitors not only praise the glass-like quality of the ice but also the dedication of the folks who keep it that way. The trail crew receives high marks for their friendliness and efficiency, creating a welcoming atmosphere that starts with a big indoor changing area and ends with the satisfaction of a well-earned hot dog from the snack bar.
An on-site heated cabin serves as a sanctuary to lace up your skates and also rents out everything you need for a day on the ice. For those who come unprepared, skates are available for $10, learning stabilizers for ice-skating novices are available at $8 for two hours, and sleds for an hour of joy push the fun metre up at $30 per hour.
"This is truly one of the most magical places I've ever been. The ice is perfect. The hospitality is unmatched. The food is delicious. I would go every week if I could. You can feel your soul relax as soon as you get out of the car," one reviewer wrote of the location.
Out on the trail, the proximity of the evergreen trees, brushing close enough to touch as you pass, offers a connection with nature that's often missing from urban or more open rural trails.
For the special firelit night, you can book a spot online at $25 a pop. Only 300 spots are available to make sure the trail never gets too crowded.
Regular admission (sans lights) for adults from Monday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to sunset costs $18 daily, with a season pass at $114 offering unlimited entries. The younger crowd, aged six to 17, can skate for $14 per day, with their own season pass priced at $89. For those preferring to crunch snow underfoot, snowshoeing and walking trail access are available for $10.
Patinage en Forêt by torchlight
Tiki torches lining a skating trail in the woods with the light reflecting on the surface.
Where: 9, mnt Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups, QC
When: February 16
Cost: $25