Hotel at a Glance: Le Village Suisse Chalets

Nine chalets sit at the heart of Le Village Suisse, surrounded by two acres of mature trees and a small recreation lake. The A-frame cottages were built in the 1950s and harken back to a simpler time; inside, though, you’ll find updated amenities such as stone fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and complimentary WiFi. The resort fosters a friendly atmosphere, and it’s not uncommon for guests to plan impromptu potluck dinners and group ski trips.

• Pack some all-terrain shoes: The property features 37 miles (60 km) of woodland hiking trails, and 124 miles (200 km) of biking and cross-country ski paths
• Roasting marshmallows: around the outdoor campfire is an evening tradition
• Family fun night: More than 200 different board games, puzzles, and DVDs are available for rent or purchase at the Welcome Chalet
• Unwind in the hot tub, which is open year-round and can hold up to eight people
• 5 minutes: That’s how long it will take you to walk to the restaurants, shops, and galleries in Val-David

Val-David, Quebec: Artists' Enclave in the Laurentian Mountains with World-Class Rock Climbing

Val-David, one of the prettiest towns in the southern Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, is known for two things: rock climbing and art. Val-David Regional Park – Val-Morin bills itself as the birthplace of rock climbing in Eastern Canada. It has more than 500 climbing routes, beginner’s walls, and a climbing school. Mont King, a section of granite cliffs located across from the lake, is one of the most popular boulder-climbing areas here. Other outdoor activities include kayaking, cross-country skiing, and cycling through the fragrant forests or along P’tit Train du Nord, an extensive bike trail built on a former railway track.

The village’s thriving art scene is anchored by a handful of renowned resident artists, and festivals such as 1,001 Pots, North America’s largest annual ceramics festival. Sculptors, painters, jewelers, and pewter-smiths display their work at boutiques around town—many of which double as the artists’ homes.

The town of Mont-Tremblant is situated about 40 minutes northwest of here. The town is best known for skiing at Mont Tremblant, which has 95 trails spread out over more than 650 acres. Just north of town, Mont-Tremblant National Park encompasses six rivers and 400 lakes, as well as a number of scenic hiking trails.