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Still exhausted after participating in the Canada Ski Marathon, I limped into the Chateau Fairmont Montebello in a steady blizzard. In the past two days a foot of fresh snow had fallen in the Outaouais region of Quebec. I could not wait to enjoy some Montebello cross-country skiing.

The gorgeous Chateau Fairmont Montebello

Related: Canada Ski Marathon GoPro adventure

As soon as I pulled into their road and under the welcome sign, I immediately felt intrigued by this magical place. I looked to my left and a cross-country skier was making her way down one of the numerous cross-country skiing trails. A dog sled team crossed the road in front of me. Without even looking at the hotel or my room, I knew I was hooked.

Check in and room arrival

After the short drive through the woods the property comes into view. Wow, what an amazing building. The castle moniker definitely fits. It only gets better once you enter inside.

The fireplace is enormous and extends up three stories while there is a visible fire going on four sides. One regret is I did not have time to cuddle up to this on one of the chairs and do some reading.

The amazing fireplace in the Chateau Fairmont Montebello

I parked near the entrance and checked in. The staff both at the check in and the gentlemen who assisted with my luggage were warm, welcoming, and friendly. Then I got my belongings together and put them all on a cart. They were delivered to my room seconds after I arrived.

My comfy room at the Chateau Fairmont Montebello

I opened the door and was overjoyed with the room. It was spacious with amazing lighting, both natural and man made. One thing that drives me crazy is many hotel rooms do not have enough lights to sufficiently luminate the room and then only a small window. The natural lighting during the day lit up the room and plenty of lights during the night to do the same.

Warm and cozy inside the Chateau Fairmont Montebello while a blizzard raged outside

Olympic pool and hot tubs

The first order of business was soaking my sore muscles. After 50 kilometers of skiing in the last couple of days, I was ready to relax. Winter adventure could wait until tomorrow. I grabbed my bathrobe from the closet and headed to the pool.

View of the pool while soaking in the hot tub

I checked in and squeezed in to one of the hot tubs. There was a couple next to me who had also taken part in the race, so we traded Canada Ski Marathon stories.

Another shot of the Olympic pool at the Chateau Fairmont Montebello

Then I went for a swim and did a few laps in the beautiful pool before switching back to the hot tub. There was a window over the pool, and you could see the snow belting the hotel and the forest outside. This made the hot water and jets that much more cozy.

Snow finally stopped the next morning at the Chateau Fairmont Montebello

Montebello cross-country skiing before breakfast

The next morning I woke up to cloudy day that turned sunny and the snow had stopped. I went out to my car and it was topped with eight inches of fresh snow. I got my skis and proceeded to the trailhead.

Just before I started skiing, the groomer zoomed off right in front of me. This meant absolute fresh trails. If you are not a skier, this may be lost on you, but to start a ski with over a foot of fresh snow in Canada and skiing right behind the groomer is about as good as it gets.

Montebello cross-country skiing – Beginning of the Nordic ski trails at the Chateau Fairmont Montebello just after the groomer began his work

Unfortunately, since I was beginning the long trek back to Chicago today, I did not have the opportunity for a full day on the trails. They have over 40 kilometers right on property, which is amazing. Only hotel I have ever been to or heard of with such an extensive trail system.

I stayed on the three kilometer loop that was closest to the hotel as it was the only trail fully groomed. I would love to come back and visit the trails that head farther out into the Outaouais outdoors.

Montebello cross-country skiing – Morning ski was a great idea

Usually I go skiing away from home, I have to drive anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours to arrive at the ski trails. It was such a wonderful convenience to have the trails right on site at the hotel; furthermore, it is not necessary to stay at the hotel to ski their trails. A daily ski pass is required, but the rate is reasonable.

Montebello cross-country skiing GoPro action

The trails followed the highway through a pine forest and then turned toward the Ottawa River and followed the river. The clouds and sky over the river were amazing. I set my GoPro to time lapse and took some pictures and video from my head mount.

Shot with the GoPro along the Chateau Fairmont Montebello ski trails along the Ottawa River

Montebello cross-country skiing – Another picture as I turn the corner

Montebello cross-country skiing – Amazing light over the Ottawa River

Love this one as it captures the Canada flag whipping in the wind

Amazing buffet after Montebello cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is one of the best work outs you can do. Even a six kilometer jaunt will build an appetite. I came back to the hotel, showered, and headed to breakfast. I was given a pot of coffee and set loose on the buffet.

It was one of the best breakfasts ever and a great way to end a cross-country ski trip and start a cross-country road trip back 13 hours to Chicago. I was sad to leave.

Chateau Fairmont Montebello winter adventures

Nordic skiing was the only activity I took part in as far as the winter adventures here, but I was really impressed with the amount of options available. You could spend several days here and not get enough winter sports.

They have snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog sledding, hockey, tubing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and even curling. They also offer rentals and guides. Check out this page for more information. The hotel only has winter activity information up during the winter.

One last GoPro shot from the Chateau Fairmont Montebello

Disclosure

My stay was in part complimentary thanks to Tourisme Outaouais and the Chateau Fairmont Montebello; however, my love of winter adventure is purely my own. Photographs, videos, and opinions are purely my own.

Adventure on!