WINTER WONDERLAND by BELINDA JONES
Krista Carter feels like she’s woken up inside a snow-globe when she visits the historic French-Canadian city of Quebec during its magical Winter Carnival. Her mission – to explore all the sub-zero attractions for her popular travel blog Va-Va-Vacation. Despite spending the night in an Ice Hotel, she is amazed to discover that her formerly frozen heart is beginning to melt…
What made you choose a dog-sledder as the romantic hero?
Well, is there really anything sexier than a ruggedly athletic man who has an affinity with animals, snowflakes on his eyelashes and a steady supply of hot chocolate? I also loved the idea of him having bi-colored eyes, as so many Huskies have that special trait. (As did my paternal grandmother, so there’s also a little wink to her!)
How was the experience of dog-sledding?
Breathtaking! The Winter Carnival offers mini taster rides but a couple of minutes following a well-worn circuit doesn’t really cut it, ideally you want to experience the sensation of those dogs running their exciteable hearts out so for maximum thrill we visited the open fields over at the île d’Orléans. Initially I was the passenger, learning the ropes as we whizzed along. That position is particularly chilly so I was glad to switch over, even if I was nervous of tipping us over on the corners and not being able to tread hard enough on the brakes and thus ending up face-down in the snow. But you soon realize these dogs are total pros and once we were out of the wooded area and onto an open plain of glistening snow I couldn’t help but let out a ‘Woooohooooo!’
Can we talk about the Husky puppies?
This was a huge bonus – there happened to be about a dozen puppies in the pen during our visit and our auberge hosts let us get in there and scoop them up for a cuddle. They are ridiculously cute – like living squeaking teddy bears with the softest fur and great bandit-mask eye markings. You just have to watch out for the chewing – I had one hanging off the sleeve of my Puffa coat by his teeth! (I should mention here that my hat is faux fur – bit of an uncanny match!)
There’s also a very special Samoyed in the book…
You say Samoyed, I say Swoon! I’d never actually seen this breed ‘in person’ before but this big bearded guy with a Davy Crockett hat set up a photo op with two fluffy beauties just outside the old city walls and I couldn’t resist getting a closer look. Talk about having a smile that could melt your heart! Did you know that there is a practical reason why Samoyed’s mouths turn upwards at the edges? It’s so that icicles can’t form there!
And you met Quebec’s celebrity dog?
Yes – Santol is the Canine Ambassador (and local legend) at the majestic Fairmont Chateau Frontenac hotel. He’s a Bernese-Lab mix and originally bred as a Guide Dog so he has a very gentle disposition. It’s quite surreal to see him ambling around reception amid all the distinguished guests! (He has a little cameo in the book…)
The book opens with Krista lying on a bed of ice at the Hotel de Glace – did you really spend the night there?
I did indeed! Well, I lasted until 4am! You get a half-hour instructional on how to not freeze overnight and initially I was just so captivated by the snug hush of the compacted snow and the candelit etchings on the walls of my room I wasn’t concerned. But then, even though I was wrapped up like a burrito in my Arctic-standard sleeping bag, I just couldn’t get over how cold my nose was. I kept reaching up to check that it hadn’t snapped off. The good news is that you don’t have to spend the night to enjoy the hotel – they offer tours and you can marvel at the pink-hued wedding chapel and pulsing bar area. (see below!) It really is one of the most magical places I have ever been!
Any other must-dos while in Quebec City?
Try all the yummy food – Maple Syrup Pie, Beaver Tails (flattened pastries with assorted toppings), Poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds – surprisingly delicious!) and then make sure you order a soup starter as soon as you get into the restaurant – they are home-made and delicious and help you thaw out in record time! The booze is pretty good too – go easy on the Caribou (Quebec’s answer to Long Island Iced Tea) but the Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider made from apples picked at first frost is divine – and best drunk from a glass carved from ice at the Hotel de Glace! Salut!
