Quebec Weekend Getaway in the Laurentians: Golf, Spas and Gourmet Delights

Although the Laurentians, the (Laurentides), originally lured winter tourists to its ski hills, the region has become a true four-season holiday destination. Just a one-hour drive north of Montreal, the Laurentians (Laurentides) are blessed with sparkling lakes, maple and pine forests and the Laurentian Mountain chain, part of the Canadian Shield. And apart from being a magnet for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, charming small towns entice visitors with their joie de vivre, art galleries and restaurants.

My husband and I had not visited the Laurentians since a ski vacation many winters ago. So, we decided to take a long weekend to enjoy the golf, spa and cuisine for which the region has become a favourite.

Where to Stay in the Laurentians: Mont Gabriel Resort and Spa

We stayed at the Mont Gabriel Resort and Spa, located at the summit of the mountain just outside of Sainte-Adèle. Originally built in 1936 with 16 rooms, the property was the brainchild of Marie-Joséphine Hartford, an American heiress to the A&P (Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company) and an avid skier who became quite smitten with Mont Gabriel.

The property changed ownership over the years and hosted lots of celebrities and politicians, including Pierre Trudeau. John F. Kennedy and Maurice Duplessis. It is rumoured that Ian Fleming created the James Bond character during one of his stays; hence, a lounge is named after the author.

The original log section had grass growing on the roof and a small herd of goats “mowed the lawn.” For that reason, the goat is the unofficial mascot of the resort. We spotted lots of sculptures of goats around the property.

After a devastating fire in 2022, the resort was totally renovated and now offers 136 rooms plus all sorts of diversions: golf, tennis, pickleball, indoor, outdoor and mineral pools, plus two restaurants. It is still a popular ski destination in winter. And though there are no more live goats, it is dog friendly.

Golf Mont Gabriel – Mountain Golf with Spectacular Views

Speaking of goats, you need to be part Billy goat to navigate the precipitous Mont Gabriel Golf Course. When we arrived at the par-5 first hole, it looked like we were at the bottom of a black diamond ski slope with the green so far up and away it was invisible from the first tee. The second hole, also a par-5, challenged with another big climb.

Built in 1990, the course is situated on 212 acres, integrated into Sommet Gabriel, offering panoramic vistas of the Laurentian Valley. Number eight is the jewel in the crown, requiring an accurate 125-yard tee shot onto an island green with a stone bridge reminiscent of the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews. The views from the ninth tee, overlooking the rolling countryside and dense forests, are sensational. Due to the severe elevation changes and distances from greens to tees, golf carts are mandatory.

Number 12 is another pretty par-3 requiring a carry over a pond surrounded by wildflowers. Golf Mont Gabriel is one of the few “golf-in/golf-out” resorts in Quebec. When you’ve finished your round, head over to the resort’s Hartford Bar for a wood-fired pizza and a frosty “Goat” ale brewed especially for the resort.

Dining Highlights – Getaway Weekend in the Laurentians

Bon appétit, the Laurentian area is a foodie haven. The Mont Gabriel resort has two dining venues: the Hartford Bar and the Victor.

One of the most popular roadside attractions in the Laurentians is au Petit Poucet.

Gourmet Dining at Mont Gabriel

The Hartford Bar puts a creative spin on Quebec classics, including poutine, wood-fired pizzas, wings, and my favourite, the succulent lobster roll.

Restaurant Victor serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. We enjoyed a couple of interesting mains: bison tartare and piglet shank with truffle oil. Both restaurants have lovely outdoor patio seating overlooking the swimming pool.

Rustic Flavours at Au Petit Poucet

One of the most popular roadside attractions in the Laurentians is Au Petit Poucet. Taking its name from a French fairytale, a “poucet” is a tiny person as portrayed on the sign out front of the not-so-tiny log structure on Highway 117 in Val-David. Begun in 1945 as a small grocery store, the place has become a Mecca for authentic Québec specialties, such as smoked maple ham, baked beans, meat pie, pea soup, and maple sugar pie. The decor is rustic log cabin with appropriate props, such as snowshoes and moose heads, plus a roaring fireplace in the middle. Think Hansel and Gretel in Québec at a sugar shack. Upfront, there’s a charcuterie counter where they sell many of their menu products; during the Christmas season, they will ship across Canada. I understand why there are line-ups and reservations are necessary; everything was delicious.

Exploring Saint-Sauveur: Culture and Charm

Probably the most charming of the Laurentian towns, Saint-Sauveur, is the ideal place to while away an afternoon. Get your java fix at the Rouge Tomate, a café by day and wine bar at night.

A visit to the Laurentian Ski Museum with its collection of artifacts and archives tells the history of skiing in the Laurentians. There is also a Hall of Fame, honouring those who made this winter playground famous. Paroisse Sant-Sauveur, the town’s stunning Catholic church, dominates the main street with its shiny tin roof, red doors and lovely gardens.

Rue Principale is crammed with cute boutiques, cafés and art galleries—all festooned with hanging flower baskets. The place to eat is Le Saint-Sau Pub Gourmand. Scallops with caramelized pecans, orange and fennel is a winning combination. Asian-spiced salmon tartare is also a hit. All served with a big smile.

Relax and Rejuvenate at Strom Nordic Spa

On our last day in the Laurentians, we woke up to a forecast of rain. No worries, as we had booked the recently opened Strom Nordic Spa just a few minutes’ drive away in Saint-Sauveur. With several buildings on different levels overlooking the Riviere Simon, it is a true Nordic nature experience. At the reception desk, we were given a towel, a robe, and a locker key, and then went downstairs to change into our swimsuits and take a shower. Now we were ready to spend the afternoon soaking, steeping and chilling Scandinavian-style.

Unlike those sterile spas where you might never glimpse the outdoors or breathe in fresh air, Strom is designed to allow guests to commune with nature, offering an invigorating indoor/outdoor experience that combines hot/cold elements. This retreat blends harmoniously with its pine-scented, pristine environment.

Our receptionist explained the prescribed routine: spend about ten minutes warming your body in the log Finnish sauna, eucalyptus-scented steam baths or thermal hot tubs and waterfall. Heating the body helps increase blood circulation, which, in turn, promotes the elimination of toxins by cleansing the body. Then it’s time to close the skin’s pores by cooling off with a plunge in Riviere Simon, beneath a bracing Nordic waterfall or a dip in a cold tub. I’m informed that this refrigeration effect helps rid the body of lactic acid that accumulates in the muscles after exercise.

The third part of the Strom routine is chill-out time. You can relax in a room with lounge chairs featuring healing red light therapy or sit beside the outdoor fireplace. One relaxation room has a masque bar where you can cleanse your face, apply a masque, sit by the fireplace and then moisturize. In addition to your bathing suit and sandals, I recommend bringing a book.

The warming, chilling and relaxing steps may be repeated as often as you wish. The spa is open all year from 9:30 a.m. until evening. Your $69 thermal experience fee allows you to unwind at your own pace. Massages, facials and other spa treatments are available for additional fees.

No doubt the fresh air and water therapies will stimulate your appetite as well as your circulation. Strom has two restaurants. Café Fika is for light snacks, coffee, tea and smoothies. Beer and wine are also available. At Nord, the gastronomic restaurant, Chef Raphael Podlasiewicz serves what he calls boreal-inspired cuisine using regional products. Nordic shrimp remoulade and smoked duck breast, served with variations on Jerusalem artichokes, are recommended. You are welcome to dine in your bathrobe. Strom Spa proved to be the ideal finale to our weekend romp in the Laurentians. We headed home relaxed, invigorated and refreshed.

Getting to the Laurentians

We flew on Porter Airlines from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport to Montreal-Trudeau (Dorval) airport. It’s just a one-hour flight. We rented a car for the one-hour drive north to Sainte-Adèle.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re playing mountain golf, sampling maple-sweetened Quebec classics, shopping in Saint-Sauveur, or soaking at Strom Spa, the Laurentians deliver the ultimate weekend escape close to Montreal. You’ll return refreshed, inspired, and already planning your next visit.

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Travel writer Anita Draycott was a guest of Tourism Laurentians, which did not preview the article before publication.