Quebec City winter travel news

In 2013, all eyes in the snowboarding world will be turned to Québec City and Stoneham! For the first time ever, Snowboard Jamboree will be hosting the FIS Snowboard World Championships from January 15 to 27. The action-packed program will feature the sport’s six disciplines: Snowboardcross, Parallel Giant Slalom, Parallel Slalom, Halfpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air. It’s going to be quite the party for snowboarding fans at this meeting of champions—there’ll be an opening ceremony with a live outdoor show, amateur competitions, a fashion show worthy of the world’s coolest catwalks, an industry exhibit and much more! So, join the 400 participants from 35 countries who have caught the World Championship bug! Marie-Ève Dion Gestev inc. 418-929-7219 medion@gestev.com www.gestev.com/en/   Photo : Anthony Desgagnés.

Red Bull Crashed Ice is back

A combination of hockey, downhill skiing and boardercross, Red Bull Crashed Ice is an X-citing challenge for amateur and professional hockey players. Since 2006, these men and women have come from around the world to participate in the World Championship Final of the Red Bull Crashed Ice in downtown Québec City. On March 16, 2013, watch as the finalists zoom down a steep, icy run through the streets of the Old City, skillfully negotiating huge jumps, bumps and tight turns as they race to the finish line. Marie-Michelle Gagné Gestev inc. 418-929-7219 mmgagne@gestev.com www.gestev.com/en/   Photo : Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool.

New challenges at Stoneham this winter

Here are the three new developments at Stoneham Mountain Resort this year! New for families: With the creation of two new glade runs for the winter of 2013, Stoneham now has 41 runs, including 10 glade runs for skiers of all levels. New for thrillseekers: L’Urubu (named after a bird of prey) poses an exciting challenge for skiers and snowboarders! This new double-black diamond glade run is 300 m (1000’) long, with a pronounced vertical drop. New for freestylers: The Olympic half pipe, which is part of a national training centre, will be extended by 15 m (45’) up the hill, for a total length of 145 m (483’)! Lisa Marie Lacasse Station touristique Stoneham 1-888-827-4579, # 323 lisa-marie.lacasse@ski-stoneham.com www.ski-stoneham.com/3/Stoneham/tabid/53/language/en-US/   Photo : Olivier Croteau.

Ice Hotel

The majestic ice chandelier, popular ice slide, cocktails served in glasses made of ice and 44 rooms and themed suites of the Québec City Ice Hotel enhance the fairytale aspect of this attraction that you won’t want to miss! From January 5 to March 2, 2013, bring your family, friends or that special someone to visit this incredible structure built entirely out of ice. Hôtel de Glace 418-623-2888 1-877-505-0423 info@hoteldeglace-canada.com www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/index.php?action=&langue=en   Photo : Luc Rousseau.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac wins the 2012 Fodor’s 100 Hotel Awards

Fodor's Travel, a leading name in travel guides, has added Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to its prestigious annual list of the 100 best hotels in the world, as chosen by the magazine’s editors and travel experts. By making this list, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac has been recognized as an exceptional hotel for its high-end style, excellent service and the unique experience it offers its guests. Château Frontenac was one of the 10 hotels chosen in the "global icon" category. Each of the establishments on this list is an emblematic hotel considered an integral part of the destination. Geneviève Parent Fairmont Le Château Frontenac genevieve.parent@Fairmont.com www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec/   Photo : Luc Antoine-Couturier.

A flurry of activities this winter in the Jacques-Cartier region

Experience the joy of the holiday season at the Jacques-Cartier Christmas Market, where you will find delicious products and original gifts produced by talented local craftspeople. You can watch the five snowboarding cup events at the Stoneham Mountain Resort from January 15 to 27, 2013. There will be a pond hockey tournament at Lac-Beauport on February 2 and 3, 2013. If you want to play in the snow, you can strap on some cross-country skis or snowshoes and set out to explore the more than 300 km (187.5 miles) of groomed trails across the region. Other fun outdoor activities include dogsledding, skating on natural rinks or racing down a hill on an innertube. To unwind, you can admire the wintry landscape while soaking in an outdoor hot tub at a Nordic spa. Known as Québec’s “greatest outdoors”, the Jacques-Cartier region, wrapped in a gorgeous cloak of snowy white, is as pretty as a picture! Natacha Castonguay CLD de La Jacques-Cartier 418-844-2160, # 230 ncastonguay@jacques-cartier.com www.jacques-cartier.com/?language=en

Photo : IFX Productions.