walls are flanked with farm equipment and copper kettles dangle from the rafters.
R&R
PLAY
With free five-minute shuttle service to the mountain, the four-star Manoir Saint-Sauveur (rooms from $199 • 1-800-361-0505 or 450-227-1811 • manoir-saintsauveur.com) is a landmark manor that recently added 26 spacious suites at their new Avoriaz chalet. Amenities range from free wireless to stone-faced fireplaces to 26-inch plasma TVs and king beds in all suites. The heated bathroom floor with a stunning whirlpool bath is ultra-decadent. Locals dig the indoor pool, the Finnish sauna and the full-service Spa du Manoir (60-minute Swedish massage, $90). For country cozy, the 21 rooms at the three-star Motel Le Jolibourg (weekend standard room prices from $109 • 1-877-227-4651 or 450-227-4651 • motellejolibourg.com) offer free wireless, a fridge, a natural fireplace and whirlpool baths.
EAT
The hip L’Impressionniste Lounge Bistro, part of Manoir Saint-Sauveur, is where the après-ski crowd indulges in pre-dinner drinks before heading to the on-site Ambiance Restaurant (mains from $32 • 1-800-361-0505 • manoir-saint-sauveur.com). Chef Joel Fauque practises farm-to-table sourcing, using the best from local Mirabel Farms and piglets from the renowned Gaspor farm. Try the Laurentian Boileau Red Deer fillet, deglazed with old Port wine and juniper, served with roasted mashed parsnips. It’s cold outside, but the crepes keep flying at the roadside favourite Crêperie Saint-Sauveur (crepes $7.45–$18.70 • 450-227-5434 • creperiesaintsauveur.com). Munch on the signature Breton crepe, available with 300 different kinds of fillings. Charming owners Carole and Jacques Vaudry decorated with country-style Brittany flare: wood-panelled
Ski: Take your pick of five extraordinary resorts: Mont SaintSauveur, Mont Olympia, Ski Morin Heights, Mont Avila and Ski Mont Gabriel. The white powder of Mont SaintSauveur (full-day ski $52.19, ski equipment rental $36 • 514-871-0101 • montsaintsauveur.com) attracts Canadian athletes like 19-year-old Michael Kingsbury. That’s no surprise considering the resort has the most sophisticated snowmaking systems in North America, plus the world’s largest night-skiing area. The Rockstar MSS Snowpark is challenging for snowboarders and freestylers alike. Head to 18-trail Ski Mont Gabriel (full-day $35 • 450-227-1100 • skimontgabriel.com) for acrobatic moves. Revered as the cradle of acrobatic skiing in Canada, the permanent training facility has a fabulous ski-in and ski-out chalet, so you literally can ski all day and night. The longest trail (1.1 km), Laframboise, is a pleasant and easy run for those who don’t have Olympic aspirations. Toboggan: At Mont Saint-Sauveur, look no further than Alpine Coaster Viking ($9.95), an insane ride that has you careening through white powder down a 1.5-kilometre course at 50 km/h. You may not break the sound barrier, but it sure feels like it on the 1,085-metre descent.
TORONTO Caledon By Travis Persaud Nestled northwest of Toronto and just below Newmarket, the town of Caledon is a rarely talked-about gem ready to be discovered. Its location makes it a perfect getaway for individuals yearning for quiet surroundings, but without the long hike that heading to an area such as Muskoka
requires. Unlike many towns on the periphery of the Greater Toronto Area, Caledon has become a progressive town with regards to its future. It was the co-recipient of the TVO Greenest Town in Ontario award, which pointed to their active “greening,” including extensive countryside planning and a strong sustainable-future plan. For a town with five watersheds lying within its borders – the Credit, Humber, Nottawasaga and Holland rivers, and the Etobicoke Creek – it’s nice to see them taking care of their land.
R&R
The Millcroft Inn and Spa (1-888-669-5566 • vintagehotels.com/millcroft) is situated on 100 acres in the Caledon Hills. Its late-1800s architecture adds to the natural beauty that surrounds it. Managed by Vintage Hotels, known for their award-winning properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this inn and spa continues the level of excellence you’d expect from such a prominent name. Their spa was named the finest in Ontario in 2008, and guestrooms include touches of European and Canadian antiques, upping their level of sophistication. Special packages, including For Culinary Connoisseurs Only and Couples Only, are available during these colder months.
EAT
It’s difficult to look any further than Millcroft’s own Headwaters Restaurant (mains around $30 • 1-800-3833976) when looking for dining options in Caledon. Led by executive chef Jill St. Amour, the tranquil restaurant takes much of its inspiration from the vegetation located in its own backyard. The thyme-and-rosemary-crusted lamb rack is a must-eat. Tagged as “Fine Country Dining,” the Mono Cliffs Inn Restaurant (mains around $25 • 519-941-5109) provides an escape for wine lovers. Their wine cellar is available for intimate settings for up to eight people. The Spirit Tree Estate Cidery (905-838-2530) sits on a 46-acre
© Courtesy Mont St-Sauveur
in 38 groomed trails, with most open for night skiing, and now you know why Saint-Sauveur is still a hot spot.
lot perfect for growing apples, and they take full advantage of that. Their fresh-pressed sweet apple cider is a perfect afternoon treat, and their hard ciders (pub-style, estate reserve and ice cider) can warm up any chilly evening.
PLAY
Trails: Caledon is littered with trails ready for exploration. Anchored by the Bruce Trail, the town has over 260 kilometres accessible for public enjoyment. The Caledon Trailway (ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/caledon-trailway) is another strong highlight for outdoor fun, and showcases the town’s ingenuity. Caledon purchased a 35-kilometre stretch of abandoned railway that became the first designated portion of the Trans Canada Trail. The Trailway is open for any non-motorized activities including cross-country skiing, horseback riding and cycling. Skiing: For those needing something with a bit more speed, the Caledon Ski Club ($50 for a full-day lift pass • caledonskiclub. on.ca) is open to non-members on Wednesdays and Fridays. With 23 slopes – seven beginner and intermediate slopes, and nine expert hills – there’s plenty of choice regardless of your skill level. And two lodges, the main and west, provide rest no matter where you are.