Adventures in Quebec

By Matt Lester

Backcountry Exploring Near Quebec City

I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to meet a lot of different snowmobilers during my frequent travels and each person seems to have a unique and inspiring story.

My brother Mike and I were recently invited by Pierre Challier and his beautiful wife Chrystel to visit the quaint village of Sainte-Brigette-de-Laval, 30 minutes north of Quebec City. Pierre and Chrystel own an exciting outdoor adventure company called Expe Nord while operating a charming Bed & Breakfast as well.

Pierre, a former fighter pilot in the French Air Force, moved his young family from France to Quebec about five years ago in search of a slower paced way of life while mixing in a passion for outdoor adventure. Although it was tough to leave family and friends behind, moving to the doorstep of Canada's backcountry is a decision the couple says is one of the best they ever made.

Thanks to a lot of hard work, dedication, a genuine love for people and the outdoors, Nord Expe has taken off. Pierre has assembled a team of educated; experienced adventure guides who specialize in making seemingly impossibilities come true for their clients.

Many of Nord Expe's customers are people looking for a new experience - a new challenge and a story you can't simply cut and paste. Visitors come from Europe, USA and Canada, not necessarily as snowmobilers, but as folks with a "bucket list" desire to live life to the fullest and Nord Expe delivers in spades.

After a solid night's rest at Nord Expe's cozy B&B and a delicious breakfast prepared by Chrystel, we left to explore the thousands of acres of parkland and trails in Quebec's Laurentide foothills. You can only see some of these areas legally by visiting with a certified guide, like those at Nord Expe. Even in mid-March the snow coverage was excellent and the views… breathtaking.

One memorable stop along the trail was at a chalet where the University of Laval does research. When you visit Nord Expe, get Pierre to take you here. You won't believe the magnificent waterfall and view from the observation deck.

Pierre hosts riders with varying skill levels and he is more than capable of riding extreme but is just as happy to cruise along leisurely and let his clients take everything in.

There's something comforting about riding with someone who is truly passionate about what they're doing and it's evident Pierre is happiest straddling his sled in this enormous snow-covered playground.

Read more about this adventure and Nord Expe in the pages of an upcoming issue of Supertrax Magazine.

Tel: 418-825-1772
Link: www.nordexpe.com
Link: www.gite-aventures-quebec.com
Email: info@nordexpe.com

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