MONT SUTTON… YOUR YEAR-ROUND PLAYGROUND

Magnificent Mont Sutton is one of the most celebrated natural wonders in Quebec’s Eastern Townships.  Part of the awesome Appalachian trail, the Sutton Mountains’ pristine reputation beckons recreation enthusiasts winter, summer and fall.

Get ready for Your World-class Winter Adventure

Take out your skis and immerse yourself in Mont Sutton’s snowy heights. Not only do
local folks from Sutton and nearby cities come here, but skiers from far beyond at all ski levels come to enjoy Mont Sutton’s optimum skiing conditions: lots of natural snow here, and trees shield the trails from any wind. 

Over 856 metres in altitude with a vertical drop of 460 metres covers over 230 acres of skiable terrain. There are 204 on-slope junctions. What an awesome amount of ski fun to explore! 
           

Glorious Glading

 


                                                            Warm up at the chalet

Mont Sutton’s glade skiing is renowned. In fact, 45% of the ski terrain gets you into a dream-like winter wonderland of glade skiing descent.  Imagine skiing through the glens, passing trees on powdery white pathways that poke through the forest.

  Because of the plethora of junctions, glading is a Sutton star attraction. It’s exhilarating and gives a feeling of seclusion and grace. Mont Sutton has been ranked as the top mountains for glading in “Ski Canada Magazine”, and the “Independent” - one of the UK’s leading newspapers - ranked Mont Sutton as one of world’s top 50 best ski resorts.

If you get hungry, know that four chalet-restaurants dot the mountains at various places, starting at 400 metres on the mountain and at 840 metres. It's open only in winter. 

Dorm is open only in summer

Bring Out the Bikes

Seven kilometers of snow trails are designated for fat bikes. Now that’s an original kind of ride. As for kids, a section of the mountain is zoned for the family. Your kids can benefit from activities here, even take lessons while you ride off in the wild white yonder.

The Summery Side of  Sutton’s Mountains



Have you ever tried an electric bike? At the ski shop, you can rent one. JF who manages the mountain’s shop, is an expert at getting you started. This electric bike makes pedaling uphill easy. It has to do with a small motor. You still peddle, but you can adjust the ease of travel using the turbo, eco and tour buttons. It’s a heavier bike than the usual ones we ride, but think of the luxury of avoiding the sweat and pain as you peddle skywards. 

But if you want to do more pedaling, then mountain biking on 30 kilometres of trails awaits you.

           

However, if you like getting down and dirty in the mud, climbing ropes and more, the Xman race might be for you. One just finished, but you can register for the next one taking place next June (info@xmanrace.com)

Stats in a nutshell:

Services include heated reception chalet, heated waxing facility, refuge for rustic lodging, rental of equipment such as cross-country skis, snowshoes, crampons and fatbikes.

Altitude of the ski mountain: 856 meters (2,808 feet)

Skiing vertical drop: 460 meters (1,500 feet)

Total skiable hill acreage: 230 acres

60 trails in total.

204 junctions

For all information on specific winter, summer and fall activities, including ski packages, cross country skiing, ski rentals, fat bikes, electric bikes, mountain bikes, camping and more, visit these websites :

www.montsutton.com

www.montsutton.com/velo

www.montsutton.com/fallfest

                                        

Read about my hiking experience with Sutton PENS director

 Read about my time during  Sutton's Fall Festival.

Terra Firma Forest Trails

                                     PENS makes walking on Suttons' mountains possible

I love hiking. Thanks to PENS (le Parc d'environnement de Sutton). 52 kilometres of hiking trail in the Sutton Mountains are yours to discover during summer and fall. PENS is a 40-year-old non-profit organization with a dedicated team of skilled trail blazers (in every sense of the word). Environmentalists of all specialities keep the trails clean and safe  with total attention to ease of ascent, the team consists of experts and volunteers that oversee the grooming of the ground, drainage and maintenance with clearing. Most surprising, they carry out all such tasks by hand!

Pens cleared the old ruined trail on left;  new trail at right

I had the pleasure of hiking one day with Patricia Lefevre, Director of PENS. 

Patricia Lefevre

                                         Together we we hiked the Spruce Trail 

View walking toward lake Vogel

    (PENS cleared the ruined trail at left; new trail at right)

There are many trails that loop around the ski area -- the longest is Round Top at 952 feet. In fact, the region offers four summits with staggering views.

On the 3-kilometre hike to Spruce Lake, Patricia pointed out many beech trees, yellow and white birches, hemlocks, maples and spruce. It was glorious. 

We rested on a tree "seat"

Lingering at Spruce Lake

We then went to secluded Lac Vogel. It's pristine perfect for solitude.

                  Marmite Trail

Take a look at the smooth wooden railing that starts you on your way on this easy woody trail. PENS made those in order to provide support as you go down the few steps. 

This charming path was once used to transport wood and ice from the mountain.

Ruins from the past 

Its forest of lush maples hugs the narrow Sutton River.

 Listen to the little waterfalls tumbling over rocks.

On the way, I spotted chickadees, a blue jay and a woodpecker. This creates an enchanting ambiance as the water ambles on.

The river starts just after the stairs

The 3.8 kilometres lead you to Sutton village. Just follow the yellow sign marking on trees as they stand along the river.

                          What a wonderful way to be at one with rock, river and forest!

“Thank you Patricia for hiking with me, and for inviting me to judge PENS “Together” exhibit of stunning photos taken by locals of Sutton’s magnificent nature”.

Read my article on Mont Sutton

Cantine Sutton Cooks Those Classic Mainstay Meals We All Love

This no frills 18-year-old family-owned restaurant is Sutton’s favourite place for hungry chops. Say hi to co-owners Eric, wife Victoria and her mom, Shirley who you see cooking behind the counter. In fact, Cantine Sutton is so popular, it opens at 5 am and closes at 9:pm. The variety of dishes boggles the eyes and taste buds.  Breakfast is so big here, it has its own menu. The choices are dazzling as is the freshness and care of preparation. 

Co-owner, Eric, sums it up: “Whatever we serve, it’s top quality.” 

The prices are so ridiculously reasonable, yet the potions are 

huge, so trying to pick one dish from the mouth-watering menu is fun: it’s impossible to get bored with food choices here.

In another menu, the amazing variety in the lunch and supper selections dazzle. Like deluxe food billboards, all wall photos exactly duplicate each dish - all specially prepared for the photo shoot. What you see is what you get. Yummie!  

         

There are over 18 kinds of pizza, shrimp with mushrooms, Mexican, barbecue chicken, and pepper steak; plus Cantine is famous for its pizzaghetti, pizzafrites, pizza poutine and pizza Cesar. The pizza is cut in half and in between the second dish sits.

Twenty subs include smoked salmon, roast beef and steak with pepperoni, and BLT. I loved my 12”-roast beef sub that came with every topping imaginable: including, pickles, jalapeño peppers, black olives, Swiss cheese and more.

Eric preparing my sub

My roast beef sub 

Poutine is on the menu - nine different kinds, along with their hotdogs and burgers (you can get two burgers on Wednesday for a mere $6!

The Cantine special burger caught my eye and captured my taste buds at first bite. It’s made with special melted cheese. It complimented the bacon and the dressings you always crave. A dill pickle, tomato and lettuce with relish brought a symphony of taste, as did the macaroni and coleslaw served on the plate. I also had their fresh cut, freshly made French fries – all home made – as every dish is here. 

Smoked meat sandwich and more

I returned every day, feasting on gyros and salads. Their Caesar salad dressing is fantastic: garlic, yoghurt, Dijon mustard and egg yoke. Victoria revealed the alternate pouring of simple ingredients  creates a very smooth soft dressing. The honey in the dressing really gives it a sweet zing. 

Cantine Sutton is super friendly, informal and unstressed. Best thing is every dish is delivered to your table within minutes.

Huge portions!

I loved their automatic soft drink select-and-touch-screen machine. Aside from all your favourites, you can get Doctor Peppers in three different flavours: cherry, vanilla and strawberry! Their ice cream also is a flavour fest. And if biting into a dessert, try their different homemade cookies and banana bread.

Delicious cookies and banana bread

                                                  

The best restaurant breakfast ever!

A mini play area

Cantine Sutton is great for the whole family. 

Cantine Sutton  has its own mini play area

                                         

Call: 450 538-3311.  Cantine Sutton also delivers.

The address is 32, Principale Nord, Sutton Quebec, J0E 2KO.