Any Recommendations in Quebec City and Montreal?

[L&AirC]

My wife wants to go to Canada for a long weekend for her b'day. We're going to be in Quebec City (rue de la Couronne, Quebec, QC G1K7X4) and Montreal (Saint-Antoine Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 0A3), and I like to visit local ski shops when were traveling if possible, if only for a walkthrough or hopefully pick up something unique to the local area.

I don't think I'll be looking for anything clothing wise (I've already been warned about my ski jackets taking the lead over the number of skis I have). Probably just a tool or nick nacks type item.

Any recommendations?

And no I don't speak much French and am mentally preparing myself to be humiliated.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[surfsnowgirl]

We ski in the eastern townships of Quebec every MLK weekend. In fact we're heading up there over labor day weekend just cause I always wanted to go in the summer. We're staying in Orford and will be in Magog. We've never had much of an issue not speaking french but for when we went into a little locals pub in Orford but was able to communicate the basics. Most everyone speaks english, unless you go to the diviest of tiny places. You'll be fine in most restaurants and ski shops

Here's a mini french lesson

je voudrais is I would like

Insert

bier, (beer)
boeuf (beef)
poulet (chicken)
poisson (fish)
bathrooms (toilette)

Throw in S'il vous plaît (please) and Merci (thank you) and you should be set

I've never been to Quebec proper or Montreal but we'll get up there one day.

You'll have a blast I'm sure. I'm following responses because we'd like to get up there one day and I'd love to hear the recommendations for lodging as well.

 

[Jilly]

Not sure of ski shops in QC, but the Avalanche outlet is there. But you did say you don't need clothes...Stay away from Sport Experts, it's a large chain similar to your National Sports. While iin Quebec City, head out to Mont Ste. Anne and Ste Anne de Beaupre. It's a beautiful area, summer or winter.

Paging @SkiBam for shops in Montreal.

 

[scott43]

Keep in mind Montreal is fairly bilingual. Quebec city not so much. Both are great cities.

 

[cantunamunch]

They're both also excellent museum and food cities - do not miss going to at least one food market. Looking for typically 'Canadian' things is a mistake. Let yourself go Thai, Portuguese, whatever.

Skiing-wise, you probably already have a bum apron and a nose pinch/fleece.

 

[L&AirC]

We ski in the eastern townships of Quebec every MLK weekend. In fact we're heading up there over labor day weekend just cause I always wanted to go in the summer. We're staying in Orford and will be in Magog. We've never had much of an issue not speaking french but for when we went into a little locals pub in Orford but was able to communicate the basics. Most everyone speaks english, unless you go to the diviest of tiny places. You'll be fine in most restaurants and ski shops

Here's a mini french lesson

je voudrais is I would like

Insert

bier, (beer)
boeuf (beef)
poulet (chicken)
poisson (fish)
bathrooms (toilette)

Throw in S'il vous plaît (please) and Merci (thank you) and you should be set

I've never been to Quebec proper or Montreal but we'll get up there one day.

You'll have a blast I'm sure. I'm following responses because we'd like to get up there one day and I'd love to hear the recommendations for lodging as well.

I’m actually studying French via Audible. I have about two weeks until we go and I’m just looking for the basics, and “my” basics don’t include much more than what you listed above . I’ll do a trip report when I get back.

Later, when I’m on my home computer, I’ll post a write up I got from the GM from the mountain I work at. His wife is from QC (I think) and mother in law still lives there and she did a fantastic write up of places to visit when in QC.

We’ve traveled and have lived in other countries and always try to at least know the pleasantries.

The irony is I grew up in a family with grandparents, aunts and uncles whose native tongue was French. I even took French in 9th grade, but for the wrong reason - all the girls took French. My grades were the reciprocal of my dating; B, C, D, F. Achieved my goal with dating but I wish I had taken advantage of all those opportunities.

My wife and I are both bilingual (barely but enough to claim it) but not in any language we’ve needed in a while.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I’m actually studying French via Audible. I have about two weeks until we go and I’m just looking for the basics, and “my” basics don’t include much more than what you listed above . I’ll do a trip report when I get back.

Later, when I’m on my home computer, I’ll post a write up I got from the GM from the mountain I work at. His wife is from QC (I think) and mother in law still lives there and she did a fantastic write up of places to visit when in QC.

We’ve traveled and have lived in other countries and always try to at least know the pleasantries.

The irony is I grew up in a family with grandparents, aunts and uncles whose native tongue was French. I even took French in 9th grade, but for the wrong reason - all the girls took French. My grades were the reciprocal of my dating; B, C, D, F. Achieved my goal with dating but I wish I had taken advantage of all those opportunities.

My wife and I are both bilingual (barely but enough to claim it) but not in any language we’ve needed in a while.

Thanks,
Ken

Have a blast and I look forward to your trip report and the write up from the mountain where you work.

 

[L&AirC]

They're both also excellent museum and food cities - do not miss going to at least one food market. Looking for typically 'Canadian' things is a mistake. Let yourself go Thai, Portuguese, whatever.

Skiing-wise, you probably already have a bum apron and a nose pinch/fleece.

Food is big for us and she’s already stated she wants to go to the food markets.

 

[L&AirC]

Not sure of ski shops in QC, but the Avalanche outlet is there. But you did say you don't need clothes...Stay away from Sport Experts, it's a large chain similar to your National Sports. While iin Quebec City, head out to Mont Ste. Anne and Ste Anne de Beaupre. It's a beautiful area, summer or winter.

Paging @SkiBam for shops in Montreal.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Jilly]

I deal with a manufacturer just south of Quebec City. Their receptionist grew up in northern Vermont and speaks both French and English. I have to agree with Scott43, Quebec City will be more French than Montreal. But they also understand the loonie.....remember it's a loonie, not a buck! And they will appreciate an attempt to speak their language.

To add to snowsurfgirl:

vin - wine
blanc - white
rouge - red
rose - rose

est - east
ouest - west
nord - north
sud - south
gauche - left
droit - right
so, vers a gauche....keep to the left, or go left, as in a off ramp

Quebec City to Montreal....choose a side of the river...north or south...north (nord) will be easier to get into Montreal. South (sud) will be need to cross over either at the tunnel or one of the bridges. Either is picturesque. So hard to say if one is better than the other. Both are auto-routes...4 lanes.

I just a friend here that lives in Quebec City....too bad she was gone before you posted. I could have gotten all kinds of info from her.

 

[KingGrump]

I've already been warned about my ski jackets taking the lead over the number of skis I have

Easy fix. Buy more skis.

 

[jzmtl]

Austrian ski shop and Dafran Sport are relatively close to your place in Montreal, and they are half mile away from each other too. Both are tiny shops but neat to walk around a bit. I haven't been to the latter but was told the owner used to tune for the French team years ago. Ski town in in South shore is bigger and more racing focused, but I don't know when will they reopen (they close for summer).

However keep in mind Decarie exchange/Champlain bridge is a nightmare with all the constructions and probably mostly closed on weekend. Take Lafontaine tunnel or Cartier bridge instead. Victoria bridge is okay too if you don't mind navigate some local streets and drive on see through metal grates.

Chemin du roy is parallel to hwy 40 from Montreal to Quebec and very picturesque, however if you are staying only a weekend you probably won't have enough time for it.

Of course make sure you hit Schwartz's deli, line could be quite long around meal time.

 

[Jilly]

OMG - so sorry @jzmtl ...forgot about you living there!! And Austrian ski shop is the one I was thinking of. I know SkiBam has bought stuff there. But early September is not a time for ski stuff yet I think.

But I just got a email from Tremblant...September 7-9 is clearance weekend for the ski shops....

And construction season...oh ya, Montreal has the worst one!!

 

[scott43]

Can I just say that downtown cloverleaf mess is insanity?

 

[Jilly]

But that is normal....not construction season. I remember when they were doing Decaire and needed to go to the Champlain to get to Sutton!!

 

[jzmtl]

And construction season...oh ya, Montreal has the worst one!!

They take their time too! Big effing construction site kilometers long and you see only 5 guys working even during work hours. Sites like that in Asia would have 50x more people and 10x more machineries on site simultaneously.

 

[scott43]

I mean, I'm sure it was a great idea when Montreal could no sooner lose money on the Olympics than a man can have a baby..but..who BUILDS this stuff?!
https://goo.gl/maps/cay1KKvVbs62

 

[François Pugh]

When I was in Montreal for Heavy MTL a couple of years ago, I went to an "after party" at one of the local bars. I was quite impressed, by the bar's atmosphere and the live band that was performing, although admittedly it may have had something to do with my state of mind after many hours of self-medicating so I could continue moshing with a broken rib (just many rounds of vodka and monster and much beer during the day at Heavy MTL, and a few double scotches and pints at the club - no oppiods). This is the club: https://www.facebook.com/coopkatacombes/ If they have a band playing while you're there, I recommend you check it out.

 

[François Pugh]

I mean, I'm sure it was a great idea when Montreal could no sooner lose money on the Olympics than a man can have a baby..but..who BUILDS this stuff?!
https://goo.gl/maps/cay1KKvVbs62

I've made the trip to down-town Montreal in my company car with no GPS, and in my Mazda 3 Sport GS with TomTom. Much prefer the TomTom.

 

[L&AirC]

Austrian ski shop and Dafran Sport are relatively close to your place in Montreal, and they are half mile away from each other too. Both are tiny shops but neat to walk around a bit. I haven't been to the latter but was told the owner used to tune for the French team years ago. Ski town in in South shore is bigger and more racing focused, but I don't know when will they reopen (they close for summer).

However keep in mind Decarie exchange/Champlain bridge is a nightmare with all the constructions and probably mostly closed on weekend. Take Lafontaine tunnel or Cartier bridge instead. Victoria bridge is okay too if you don't mind navigate some local streets and drive on see through metal grates.

Chemin du roy is parallel to hwy 40 from Montreal to Quebec and very picturesque, however if you are staying only a weekend you probably won't have enough time for it.

Of course make sure you hit Schwartz's deli, line could be quite long around meal time.

I suck at patience in traffic. I still have nightmares about the Big Dig and having to go to the VA in Jamaica Plains (irony - being seen by the VA for stress related issues and they send you to see the specialist in Boston (JP) during the Big Dig and when you show up, your blood pressure is through the roof and you start having palpitations because you know you have to drive home in it during the evening commute )

Michael Douglas in "Falling Down" was my Patron Saint.

No worries Canada. I'm much better about things such as this now (my wife no longer tenses up when I say "I'll drive"), and my family no longer worries about seeing me on the evening news about causing a road rage incident. 5 years of yoga and meditation has been good to me. But still, no sense in testing my limits, right?

I'm taking for granted moving around in the city (either) is best done via taxi, Uber, or some sort of subway system? I know we did look at the hotels location competed them for proximity to what we wanted to see (among other things) and some sites are in walking distance.

My car has a pretty good navigation system so I'm not worried about finding things; just getting there without needing to be medicated

Thanks,
Ken