The best ski resorts less than 1 hour 30 minutes from Quebec City

Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, heli-skiing or snowboarding - from December to May, Canada's mountains offer a breathtaking experience for snow sports fans. Frozen mountain lakes, powder as far as the eye can see, sharp, majestic mountains in every corner - Canada is a paradise for sports fans who aren't afraid of the cold. Canadians are passionate about winter sports and have developed a culture around the sport. Many Americans take advantage of their proximity to the "Great White North" to try out a few slopes.

Whether you're a family looking for a day of fun in the snow, a seasoned skier looking for a week of non-stop skiing or even a non-skiing companion, Canada's resorts have the best holiday packages for you*.

Important information before you hit the powder: the codes indicating the difficulty of a ski run are slightly different on the other side of the Atlantic.

Based on shape and colour, they are as follows:

• A green circle: easy runs ;
• a blue square: medium-difficulty runs
• a black diamond: difficult runs
• an orange rectangle: snowparks and funparks.

Stoneham ski resort

Distance from Quebec City: 27 minutes by car via Autoroute 73. Ski runs: 41.

This resort north-east of Quebec City is the perfect day getaway. You can wake up early, grab a coffee on the way and hit the slopes with your face still flushed. Stoneham has 41 ski runs, spread over three huge peaks, the highest of which stands at 593 metres. The slopes are fabulous, and the Snowboard World Cup has been held here several times.

As well as breathtaking panoramic views, the resort has a number of parks to keep you entertained:

• An Olympic Halfpipe ;
• XL 418 park: a large sliding park with a variety of jumps;
• an Intermediate park: an area for intermediate modules and jumps;
• an Intro park: where you can try out the modules and jumps without hurting yourself.

The park has a restaurant, Le Quatre-Foyers, serving delicious Mac'n'Cheese after a hard day on the slopes.

Mont Saint-Anne ski resort

Distance from Quebec City: 36 minutes by car via Autoroute 138. 71 ski runs.

The Mont Saint-Anne ski resort has been hosting downhill skiing and mountain biking competitions since 1966. In addition to 71 ski runs, this huge 137.5-hectare resort has 27 cross-country ski trails. Skiers can enjoy themselves on the south and north sides of the mountain. The resort offers beginners' courses, group sessions, individual lessons, a children's nursery and winter bike hire.

Massif du Sud Regional Park

Distance from Quebec City: 1 h 30 by car. 17 ski runs.

Le Massif du Sud has an abundance of snow, so there's plenty of powder on the slopes. Here you have the privilege of skiing in the highest ski area east of the Rockies. At an altitude of over 900 metres, some of the slopes boast magnificent views.

Tabarnac, as the Québécois say!

The ski resort also has a ski school and a competition club. You can relax in the restaurant. The house rule is that all the meat served comes exclusively from farms within a 30km radius of the resort. For those in a hurry, there is a sandwich shop next to the restaurant.