Chalets Esker, family happiness in the heart of nature

Relax, go outside to play, warm up, light a fire, go back outside to play, have a dip in a spa, share a good meal, sleep comfortably and do it all again the next day. For me, winter is the best time of year to enjoy nature and the activities it has to offer. The best part is enjoying it even longer, in a cosy chalet, with people I love.

I was already familiar with the comfort of the cottages and the beauty of the place at Esker Nature chalets & villégiature, having been there a few times for work. I’d been wanting to go there “for real”, with my family, for quite some time, so that I could enjoy the place to the full. Knowing that weekends go by quickly, I booked a weekend in January without even telling anyone. I knew everyone would be happy, we’d been talking about it for ages!

The site is in Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, right in the heart of the Parc des Appalaches. To get there, we have to take a small private road about 4 kilometers long. Every time I take this little road, I instantly feel disconnected. At the end, when we arrived at the site, Martin, the owner, welcomed us and gave us our instructions. On site, you’ll find 3 super-comfortable chalets (long live underfloor heating) with 2 bedrooms and 2 chalets with 1 bedroom and a private spa. Not only are the chalets marvellous and well-equipped, but a whole host of activities are available directly on site, so you can enjoy the season at its best, winter or summer. Once on site, there’s no need to take your car!

When we arrive on Friday evening, once we’ve taken possession of our chalet and settled in, we nibble, relax by the fire, play board games and go to bed not too late to make the most of the next day. When we woke up on Saturday, the sunrise was magnificent, the trees were covered in snow and it was so peaceful. I remember thinking to myself that I’d like to wake up in a place like this every morning.

After a good breakfast, it’s time for our first trip outside. We head to the ice rink for a game of hockey.

Another great thing about Esker is that we have all the equipment we need to have fun, free of charge. Just dip into the bin of hockey sticks, find one to fit your size and have fun. As for the hockey sticks, just pick up a sled and go sliding. No need to think about bringing everything, there’s plenty of fun to be had!

Martin comes to greet us and lights a fire to warm up the atmosphere. The children play in the games next door while we chat with him. Then we head for the slide.

Laughter guaranteed, it goes fast! The weather’s still cold, so let’s just say it’s a chilly January weekend. No problem, we return to the chalet with red cheeks to warm up by the fire and have a nice soup before our second outing.

On the way back, what better way to end this perfect day than with a trip to the spa to warm up and relax. The spa is just a few steps away from the chalet, and there’s a heated cabin where you can change on the spot, as well as a sauna and heated yurt to extend your relaxation time.