A night in a CoolBox and much more at Mont Radar!

Mont Radar in Saint-Sylvestre really does have it all, 4 seasons in, 4 seasons out! Not only is it a unique place to enjoy all kinds of winter activities, but summer is no exception, with its beach, hiking and hiking trails, as well as a wide variety of accommodations including camping, chalets and, of course, CoolBoxes! I’d been wanting to try out this new accommodation with the kids for a while. Recently, the opportunity arose for a quick one-night stay, and obviously, it wasn’t enough!

Unusual little cottages

The children remembered their winter experience at Mont Radar very well, having enjoyed the Austrian toboggan run. However, this was the first time they had discovered the outdoor base in summer.

As soon as we arrived, the girls were immediately drawn to the distinctive, brightly colored CoolBoxes nestled at the foot of the mountain.

“Hey, we’re going to sleep in a container!” “I want the pink one!” “I want the blue one!”

In short, these unusual little cottages leave no one indifferent.

A container that's not flat at all!

Finally, it’s in the orange CoolBox that we’ll be spending the night. Anyway, they’re all the same inside. Speaking of the interior, I was very impressed with this one. Although the CoolBox isn’t very big, everything has been thought out to maximize space. A two-tier queen-size bed gives us enough room for 4 people to sleep comfortably. I even shared the top one with my two daughters, and we slept superbly. A small futon can also accommodate an extra person. The rest of the CoolBox is equally well equipped, with everything you need for cooking and even a full bathroom (toilet, sink and shower). After the owner’s tour, as the day is already well advanced, we decide to discover the Radar Race, the mountain hebertism trail, before supper to whet our appetites. On the way, we stop to say hello to the elk and give them a few apples.

Climbing a mountain with children...

To be honest with you, hiking is not my 6 and soon to be 8 year-old daughters’ favorite activity. At their age, they much prefer to expend their energy in play modules. But how do you get kids to climb a mountain without them noticing? By combining the two! The Radar Race, a nearly 5 km obstacle course, takes you to the top of the mountain while having fun. Challenge after challenge, the girls ran to get to the next one and find out what was in store for them.

Did you say bunker?

Once at the top, in addition to the magnificent panorama, you’ll discover the bunker, an intriguing building once used by the army. As Mont Radar is a former military base, it is possible to take a 2-hour guided tour to learn more about the history of radar and this era (booking required). On our side, we take the time to observe the 360-degree view that takes us as far as the bridges of Quebec City, before heading back down the mountain on another trail.

Once there, we make our way to the main building to dine in the restaurant, which offers a snack/family-style menu. After dinner, we head for our orange CoolBox, where we spend a lovely evening around the fire, eating s’mores and telling stories just before bedtime.

A quiet morning

The next morning, we take the time to relax and have a leisurely breakfast with our provisions bought the day before on the road. We had planned to head down to the beach to play in the inflatable water games, but the cool, windy weather dampens our spirits. No doubt we’ll have to postpone it.

Next time it'll be...

It’s time to leave, the kids are saying goodbye to OUR orange CoolBox (they’ve grown attached) and are already talking about next time, which will certainly be longer and where we’ll be taking even greater advantage of the facilities and activities on site, including the brand-new sensation: tobogganing on rails in summer!

Mont Radar

605 rang Ste-Catherine, Saint-Sylvestre

Site admission is included in the rental price, so you can enjoy the entire site, including the beach, lake area and hiking trails. Some activities are extra.

Book online