Snowshoe or ski through the Pontiac region of the Outaouais

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The spectacular Pontiac area of the Outaouais (West Quebec) is a wonderful place for a day trip from Ottawa. With beautiful forests, gorgeous vistas of the Ottawa River and pretty agricultural land, it will linger in your heart and mind. And whether you drive via Gatineau/Aylmer, or take the Chenaux Dam bridge to pass through Portage-du-Fort, you’ll discover unforgettable scenery and historic towns en route.

Here are some upcoming winter events to inspire you. They’re largely free (except for restaurant meals, of course), but donations are encouraged.

Snowshoe along a horse railway in Quyon

Annually, the Friends of Chats Falls group offers history and nature enthusiasts an opportunity to discover the fascinating human history of the Ottawa River on a guided snowshoe trip. Not normally open to visitors, Chats Falls is a fabulous part of our Ottawa Valley and Canadian history to discover, especially with dedicated historians as your guides. This year, the annual horse railway snowshoe outing is on Sunday, February 23, starting at 1pm.

This easy 2km guided tour reveals part of the river about which few people have heard. The excursion takes roughly two hours because, although the path traverses generally easy terrain (just a few small hills), historians will pause to explain the astonishing history hidden in these forests and wetlands immediately north of the Ottawa River.

Happily, the Friends offer hot drinks and a snack afterwards, just a short drive away at the Bert Kennedy Centre in Quyon (885 Clarendon Street, opposite Onslow Elementary School).

What’s to discover?

You’ll hear stories of the Ottawa River, the horse railway, the Grand Canal and more.

Before the construction of a 1930s hydroelectric dam, Chats Falls was a wild and rugged set of rapids on the Ottawa River. Because of the extent of the whitewater, a First Nations portage evolved here—it’s still visible in summer, in places—which enabled trade and transportation along the river.

The river we often take for granted has been called the first “trans-Canada highway” because of its extensive use by First Nations traders, followed by European explorers, Jesuit missionaries, settlers, entrepreneurs —and now, of course, recreational explorers.

Because of the portage and need for river travellers to rest, the Chats was a logical location for the trading post started in 1786 by settler Joseph Mondion. Gradually, the site became a hamlet, Pontiac Village, and the site of a horse railway at the river’s former steamer terminal.

What’s a horse railway?

Ask the Friends’ historians! Simply put, at the old steamer terminal, both goods and people had to travel from what’s now the Quyon area upriver, past Chats Falls’ churning rapids, to Union Village on the next broad, lake-like reach of the Ottawa River. Then, another steamer took passengers to Portage-du-Fort. At the Chats, enterprising folks cut a railway line to connect the villages, and horses drew carriages along the railway tracks. Remnant cuts are still visible, so this snowshoe outing introduces participants to a bit of living history.

If you go

Listen, take photos and enjoy snowshoeing this scarcely known sector of the Ottawa River, which is also the site of the Georgian Bay Ship Canal. That long-dreamed-of route was envisioned as a link joining the Great Lakes to Montreal, Quebec City and Europe.

Wear very cozy clothing, as you’ll be stopping to listen to the Friends’ historians answering questions en route. And children are welcome! Meet the Friends at 1pm at the turn-around space on Chemin du Canal in Quyon, which is 250m west of the Tim Hortons Camp at 60 Chemin du Canal.

Go skiing or snowshoeing in Bristol

Ski Pontiac’s 10km of groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails await your discovery in Bristol, Quebec. Trails are free, open all winter and easy. They also wend their way through pretty woodlands and along a golf course. So if you’re a cross-country or snowshoeing newbie, Ski Pontiac in Bristol is a great place to “get your legs”—or to return to skiing after many years away or even after an injury.

There are several events to enjoy this winter along Ski Pontiac’s trails.

First, every winter Wednesday morning at 10:30am, there’s a social ski (or snowshoe) followed by lunch at Pine Lodge, a 1930s resort. Meet at the Pine Lodge trailhead. Parking is free. Ski Pontiac even lends out snowshoes for free; email them for details.

And on Saturday, February 15, there’s lots going on at Pine Lodge itself, at Ski Pontiac and at nearby Coronation Hall Cider Mills.

First, Pine Lodge is hosting a Family Day event that sounds fabulous. From 9am until noon, Ski at School is offering free cross-country skis (for kids and adults) to use on Ski Pontiac’s groomed trails. Meanwhile, throughout the day, visitors can enjoy sliding, skating, “red-neck curling,” ice bowling and other snow games. Pine Lodge has also teamed up with Élevage Fabie stables, so there will be sleigh rides from 6pm to 8 pm. The Lodge’s restaurant will be open all day and no reservations are required.

And what’s happening at Ski Pontiac, you ask? At 6pm, you can join a group at the Pine Lodge trailhead for the annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe outing, then enjoy dinner at Pine Lodge.

Additional day activities and snacks are available right down the road from Pine Lodge at Coronation Hall Cider Mills. Taste local apple-icious fare, purchase preserves and, of course, try the cider produced on the premises.

If you go

Pine Lodge is at 6 Chemin de Pine Lodge in Bristol, and Coronation Hall Cider Mills is at 206 Chemin River in Bristol.

Other helpful websites

For more information on the Pontiac region, see the websites of Tourism Pontiac and Tourism Outaouais.

Author’s bio

Katharine Fletcher is a freelance writer, visual artist and author of historical guides such as Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region. She invites you to like her artist page on Facebook. Looking for more of Katharine’s Ottawa Road Trips ideas? Check out her posts about the Tap and Cork Route and artsy fun in Merrickville.