Do you know that Quebec is home to hundreds of the best AKA sugar shack in the world and supplies about 80% of its maple syrup?
Organizing a sugar shack event is a traditional to-do-list in Quebec when the maple season starts, which could start as early as February. This year, we went to Chalet des Erables in April. It was an improvised family event and turned out to be fun and relaxing.
Chalet des Erables: 384, Montee Gagnon | Route 335, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec J0N 1H0
Reservation on line is simply and fast. When we got there, we lined up for about 1 minute to get a bracelet before we got in. The bracelet will spare you for all that is coming after the front door. But you have to pay extra fees for most of the activities there.
The choice of activities for all ages is a real hit at this place, all at extra cost unfortunately. There are train ride around the grounds, high spinning ride, pony rides, a mechanical bull, arcades, pirate ship…
That being said, this place is not for an adult-only outing; it is very kid-oriented. In terms of serving up an authentic sugar shack experience, this place fails. QU enjoyed the car ride (he did 3 times) and spinning ride. Three of us took the train ride. During the train ride, we “got robbed” by a masked man with a gun at hand who rode a real horse. He yelled and screamed. Kids were seriously scared while QU could not hold back his grin.
We reserved lunch at the place. The food there is not super good, it is more with a cookie cutter and assembly-line style. We sat on hard long benches together with other groups of people. Every inch of the space is calculated. But this did not stop us enjoying the meal. We had nice bacon, pea soup, maple ham, fried pancakes, beans omelette, and other typical Quebecois food. Coffee, milk and water are complimentary.
Overall, we enjoyed this outing. It surely has no real cabane a sucre atmosphere. But with that many activities and an amusement park setting, we still had a great time.
Next year, we will go for a real cabane a sucre place. Here are some recommended places:
- Cabane à sucre Au Pied de Cochon
- 11382, rang de la Fresnière, St Benoit de Mirabel, QC J7N 2R9
(450) 258-1732
- 11382, rang de la Fresnière, St Benoit de Mirabel, QC J7N 2R9
- Érablière Charbonneau
- 45 ch du Sous Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
(450) 347-9090
- 45 ch du Sous Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
- Cabane à sucre Bouvrette
- 1000 Rue Nobel, Saint-Antoine, QC J7Z 4N1
(450) 438-4659
- 1000 Rue Nobel, Saint-Antoine, QC J7Z 4N1
- Érablière au Sous-Bois
- 150 Chemin du Sous Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
(450) 460-4069
- 150 Chemin du Sous Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
- Cabane à sucre La Branche
- 565 Rang Saint Simon, Saint-Isidore, QC J0L 2A0
(450) 454-2045
- 565 Rang Saint Simon, Saint-Isidore, QC J0L 2A0
- Sucrerie de la Montagne
- 300 Chemin St Georges, Rigaud, QC J0P 1P0
(450) 451-5204
- 300 Chemin St Georges, Rigaud, QC J0P 1P0
- Haut Bois Normand
- 426 Chemin George Bonnallie, Eastman, QC J0E 1P0
(450) 297-2659
- 426 Chemin George Bonnallie, Eastman, QC J0E 1P0
- Famille Constantin
- 1054 Boulevard Arthur-Sauvé, Saint-Eustache, Quebec J7R 4K3
+1 800-363-2464
- 1054 Boulevard Arthur-Sauvé, Saint-Eustache, Quebec J7R 4K3
- La Goudrelle
- 136 Chemin du Sous Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
(450) 460-213
- 136 Chemin du Sous Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
Friendly staff:
Favorite at the place:
Favorite activity – car ride:
Train ride:
During the train ride, we were “robbed” by this guy:
Without the mask, he looks not so scary:
Spinning ride:
Pirate ship:
Lunch place:
Plentiful food:
Father and son moment:
(2 photos credit from http://montreall.com/the-5-best-sugar-shacks-cabanes-a-sucre-around-montreal/)