Lost in Quebec: A True Canadian Cabin Getaway in Chénéville

Rikki and I recently got back from a birthday staycation in Quebec and it was nothing short of amazing. Our birthdays are a few weeks apart, which works out quite well as we often do something together to celebrate another trip around the sun. Given the current covid restrictions in both provinces, our original plan to be swooped away to a beach vacation in the Dominican Republic was placed on hold and we decided to make the most of it with a ‘staycation away from home’ in Quebec.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that I LOVE a good cabin getaway, especially this time of year. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the winter months and what can otherwise be a dreary time of year for many.

We decided to book a cabin getaway with the hopes that we could escape the craziness and stress of the city, and trade it in for a little R&R as well as some fun winter activities to celebrate our birthdays.

Here's my weekend recap!

Where we Stayed:
Quebec’s cabin game is STRONG. I’m telling you, they have some of the best cabins in the country and definitely give the other provinces a run for their money. I found this beautiful cabin on Airbnb called Le Petit Domaine Caché that came equipped with an outdoor cedar hot tub. I would say the perfect combo for a winter cabin getaway is a beautiful log cabin, a hot tub to soak in, and a fireplace to cozy up to throughout the day. Check, check and check!

Throwing boiling water in -30 degree weather made for a cool photo!

The cabin was conveniently located in Chénéville, Quebec and close to restaurants as well as a grocery store. The cabin sat on a hill on Lac-Simon and offered beautiful sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes. We even saw deer feeding on the property grounds which further added to the experience.

We spotted some deer after dog sledding as well as on the cabin property.

What we ate:
On the first night, Rikki and I decided to brave the winter and barbecue despite the fact that it was -30 degrees outside. What can I say, we were craving a good barbecue!

We picked up some groceries at the conveniently close Metro grocery store located about 15 minutes from the cabin and opted for a surf and turf mix of steak, a lobster tail and garlic shrimp with potatoes and green beans. It was delicious.

On the second night, we decided to get takeout. Part of the fun of exploring a new town is indulging in the local cuisine and after a bit of googling, I found the perfect local spot called Au Moulin du Temps. I was determined to find a good authentic Quebec Poutine and I found just that. We ordered the most delicious pizza and poutine and it was just what we needed after a long day of being active outdoors. I highly recommend this location if you are ever passing by the area. The pizza was very unique and delicious and the poutine was everything!

What we did:
Dog Sledding at Meute Tanwen:
Dog sledding has always been on my bucket list. There’s something primal about it with its historic ties to northern indigenous peoples and it has always intrigued me. With that said, I always wondered if it was in fact ethical because exploiting an animal in any way for my enjoyment was not something I wanted to partake in.

I had 4 strong dogs pulling me with a few that were descendants from wolves!

While there will always be arguments in support or opposing activities with animals involved, I took it upon myself to do some research. I read studies as well as several blog posts from animal activist/vegetarians etc., and from what I read (if done responsibly) it’s totally ok. In many ways, dog sledding can be compared to horseback riding. Of course, there are companies that can exploit this activity so it’s important to find a place that is sustainable and where the dogs are properly cared for. Meute Tanwen was just that. It is evident from the moment that we stepped on the property that Eric (the owner) was passionate about what he did. With the help of volunteers from France that help with his operation, all of the dogs are healthy and well cared for. Watching Eric and his team interact with the dogs was heartwarming. The experience included a learning component where we first met the dogs and learned about the operation and how they keep it sustainable.

Immediately, I felt good about it.

Me taking on a sharp turn full on! That’s Rikki behind me.

Now for the part that I wasn’t expecting: Eric did warn us that dog sledding is in fact a sport and that it is physically demanding. Initially, I thought “how hard can it be?”. A pack of dogs pull you on a sled. Where’s the physicality in that? Let me tell you, it was physically demanding. While some trails at other operations might be flat, this one was through a forested area with nothing but hills and turns. In many ways it felt like an optical course. When there are hills involved, you are meant to run up them with the dogs so that it eases the weight for them. This makes for a very active sport, especially when there are many steep hills involved.

Overall the experience was thrilling and invigorating but definitely tiring. I felt like I had ran a marathon but also so accomplished and proud afterwards. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

Ice Skating at ‘Patinage en Forêt’
I love ice-skating in the winter and find that it’s the perfect way to be outdoors for long periods of time. There is no better way to experience ice-skating than skating in a forested trail. There is a popular trail in Ontario in Arrowhead Provincial Park and you can read about that experience on one of my previous blog posts. Patinage en Forêt in Quebec (which translates to ‘skating in the forest’) blew me away. Imagine 3 km of trails looping through the forest with snow covered trees. Although there were many people there, the trail is long enough so that for many parts of it you are completely alone. It’s pure magic.

Selfie with Rikki who normally never likes to be in photos.

There are several benches and rest stops along the way and we enjoyed a beaver tail with Nutella when taking a break from the trail.

We also enjoyed watching all of the chickadees on the bird feeders along the trail.

Overall, this cabin was everything we needed for the perfect Canadian winter getaway. This time of year can get very dreary for many so finding ways to enjoy it is important. I’m always looking for great cabin getaway so if you have one, comment below!