Sherbrooke, February 2024 – During the Spring Break, it has become something of a tradition to take advantage of the last gasps of winter, enjoying what the cold season still has to offer! Want to get out and about with the family? Venture off the beaten track? Or revisit places you love? The Eastern Townships offers a wealth of experiences for every age and budget level. We have great getaways galore!

Experience winter your way !

In our necks of the woods there is a multiple of ways to enjoy winter. The bottom line is to always have fun!

At  Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, magic will be in the air during « Samedi étoilé » ("Starry Saturday"), a party hosted by the Park in partnership with InfraSound. (March 9, from 5pm-8pm.) The catchy beats from a DJ and twinkling lights on the skating rink will set the festive scene. Visitors can explore the trails where snowshoeing, fatbiking and riding snow scooters, as well as the outdoor Liéri escape game, are all on the agenda (available until 6:30pm and don't forget your headlamp!) A snack bar is on hand if you're feeling peckish.

A popular winter activity is once again the key attraction at the Parc Découverte Nature - namely Acoatica. This interactive (indoor) game is designed to raise participants' awareness of the various species of fish in Quebec that are endangered. Players have to solve a number of challenges so they can accumulate enough points to “save” a shoal of (virtual) fish. Selfie time….After completing the Acoatica challenge, visitors can try to catch the real thing, by ice fishing on the Park's frozen ponds! Equipment is provided, as well as advice on the most effective way to catch these elusive, aquatic creatures. (March 2 and March 5-9.)

Another great spot for families to learn ice fishing is the Parc national de la Yamaska. During the Spring Break, this activity will be offered during weekdays, as well as on weekends. The usual snow sports will be on offer and there will be skating on the Choinière reservoir – provided Mother Nature cooperates! Outings by fat bike are also planned for the evenings.

Another unusual activity (it's free!) is the winter orienteering race which takes place on March 5, 6 and 7 at the Marais-de-la-Rivière-aux-Cerises, in Magog. During the following  couple of evenings (March 8 and 9) there will torchlit walks and hot drinks, sponsored by Kezber.

From now until March 17, Mont Sutton will be celebrating nature, the village and its attractions! On the menu – slope side treasure hunts, mountain guides, Spring Break camps at the Snow School and musical après-ski at the popular Le Tucker bar. During the holiday break, visitors can also enjoy the Forêt des merveilles – a trail through a forest of “marvels” designed for children. The mountain will be adorned by sculptures and if you want to try something different, you can learn how to ski telemark style, or zoom around on a yooner (a seat mounted on a single ski) or on a snow scooter. If you're on a limited budget, check out our current promotions!

Exercising in the great outdoors and admiring nature are the hallmarks of Plein Air Sutton. At this stunning outdoor centre, situated in the heart of a century-old forest, visitors can cross-country ski, take a winter walk or go fat biking.

Mont-Orford has a number of surprises in store for avid winter sports enthusiasts. Examples include a fun, pop-up event in a gondola, a movie evening (March 5 and March 8 – weather permitting), as well as an opportunity for skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes at the earlier-than-normal hour of 7am!

Bromont, montagne d'expériences, is hosting a pirate-themed event, complete with a raffle, a snow castle and mascots. Fun and games guaranteed! (March 2-10.)

Also in Bromont, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking and snowshoeing at Parc des Sommets, followed by raclette (a dish of melted cheese), part of the Sortie plein lune gourmande, an event themed around all things Swiss, during the time of the full moon (February 23 and 24). Yum! Yum!

Other family-oriented activities (entertainment, children's games, competitions and après-ski festivities) will take place at Owl's Head - from March 4 to March 8.

The wonders of nature and the fascinating world of animals

Spring Break doesn't necessarily mean non-stop action! It can also be a time to stop and reconnect with your inner self and with others. At the ASTROLab in parc national du Mont Mégantic, you can reconnect with the entire Universe! During the « Semaine blanche » (« White week ») access to the park is free and there will be an interesting lineup of activities – a walk by the light of flaming torches, a movie presentation (Émergence, l'évolution cosmique) and on March 7 (designated as a “family day”), visitors will be able to gaze at the heavens through a telescope and be treated to tasty snacks. What a wonderful way to forget your worldly cares….

How about a « safari» at the  Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin (CINLB) in Granby? These outings take place on March 4, 6 and 8 (10am-noon) and participants can “play tracker”, looking for traces of the animals that make the area their home (paw prints, marks in the snow, droppings, fur caught on trees and plants…).

Also on the same dates (in a nod to this year of the Summer Olympics), CINLB is running an Animal Olympiad! This interactive, sensory, sporty event led by an enthusiastic, knowledgeable guide, teaches visitors about the amazing feats that the animals who live at the marsh can perform.

At Le Fer à cheval ranch in La Patrie, rejuvenation is the name of the game! Day camps will be running from March 4 to March 8 featuring activities with beautiful (and gentle) Friesian horses – a breed that originated in the Netherlands. A new rustic-chic cabin is available for rent for those who want to stay longer at this wellness-oriented resort.

At the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, families can enjoy outings by dogsled (March 2-March 5). During the afternoon of March 2, children (and adults as well!) can try face painting (free of charge) and take a pony ride. for a mere couple of dollars. What's more, the admission price includes access to the skating rink and mini farm, as well parking – a pretty good deal! 

In Chartierville dogsledding will also be part of the family fun on March 2. Skating, tubing and creative activities like painting the snow, are also among the Spring Break activities.   

The peaceful joys of a rural setting while staying in a floating mini-home is what  Bora Boréal in Bury offers to those who are looking for offbeat accommodation. Three thermal pools will be added this winter, plus child-sized snowshoes and outdoor braziers for toasting S'mores.  Doesn't that sound tempting?

Primarily for small fry but for adults too!

A new museum opens in Granby, just in time for spring break! Le Ptit Monde des Grands will focus on the jobs kids dream of doing when they grow up: policeman, firefighter, hairdresser, doctor, restaurateur, ambulance driver... Visitors will enter a large indoor village featuring small buildings, open spaces and life-size vehicles. Children will be able to let their imaginations run wild in these realistic, immersive settings, and have fun being big for a moment!

At the Zoo de Granby, during weekends throughout the winter, families can gather for a storytelling session in a heated yurt. There's also a craft area and a number of giant photo booths!

Films for children are among the cultural events presented by Sutton Encore. The Disney documentary Penguins will be shown at the local theatre on March 6 (in French) and March 7 (in English) and everyone is welcome. The screening is free of charge. Music fans won't want to miss the live shows featuring popular performers Vanille and Velours Velours (March 8).

At Domaine Château-Bromont, the Knowlton (a meeting room) is being transformed into a mini arcade where visitors and guests can play board games and participate in arts and crafts activities. Another meeting space – Exécutif – will become a movie theatre during the Spring Break. Make it a date! (February 26-March 11.)

For more suggestions, check out our Special Feature: School break or What to Do in the Townships During the March Break .

About Tourism Eastern Townships

Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est (Tourism Eastern Townships) is one of 22 tourism associations (ATRs) in Quebec and the official representative of Quebec's Ministry of Tourism in the Eastern Townships. Since 1978, the TCE's mission has been to promote tourism development, marketing the region within Quebec and internationally. TCE brings together more than 600 members representing more than 1,000 tourism offerings throughout the 9 regional county municipalities (MRCs) and in all sectors of the tourism industry: accommodation, restaurants, attractions, activities and events.

The Eastern Townships is the fourth most popular tourist destination in Quebec. The region attracts some 10 million visitors every year, accounting for 6.5 million overnight stays and a tourism spend of more than $900 million annually. The tourism sector is also the region's fourth largest employer, accounting for 18,000 jobs.