Can’t-Miss Winter Experiences in La Baie-des-Chaleurs (Avignon) in Gaspésie

In the winter, the mountains on the outskirts of Carleton-sur-Mer in Gaspésie offer unique vistas and the opportunity to enjoy a variety of winter sports.

Located in an old sugar bush, this site developed by Gaspésie-Nature offers a beautiful natural playground in the mountains of Maria where you can go backcountry skiing on your own. Affiliated with the FQME, an organization that promotes backcountry skiing in Québec, the site offers beginner/intermediate glade skiing and snowboarding. (Note that you must become a member of the FQME to ski there.) There’s a warming hut halfway up.

Site de Maria. Photo: FQME

Le Petit Chamonix is a family-friendly ski resort in Matapédia offering 13 slopes, including two snow parks. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can go alpine touring, snow tubing, outdoor skating and snowshoeing on this site. Thanks to a well-equipped rental centre, the ski resort also offers adapted skiing.

Photo: Le Petit Chamonix

Admire the beauty of the winter scenery in this area from two unique lookouts along the Route des Belvédères scenic drive. Located in Matapédia and Saint-André-de-Restigouche, these lookouts are accessible on foot and are connected by the International Appalachian Trail (IAT). 

Photo: Route des Belvédères

Places to eat and shop

During your stay in the La Baie-des-Chaleurs sector, your taste buds will thank you for stopping in Carleton-sur-Mer! In addition to breads, pastries and cakes made with Québec-grown organic flour, the La Mie Véritable bakery offers lunch items, specialty cafés and gourmet grocery products. Nearby, enjoy a pub atmosphere and a tasty local craft beer at the Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur brewpub.

La Mie Véritable. Photo: Dany Vachon

Auberge du Château Bahia continues to host francophone song events on Thursdays throughout the winter. For more information, keep an eye on their website (in French only).

Photo: Auberge Château Bahia

Ready to plan your stay? Find accommodations in La Baie-des-Chaleurs (Avignon).