Frequently asked questions
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WINTER
What is the condition of the trails?
Are the trails lit in the evening?
What is the best time to come skating?
Can I bring my dog?
Can we eat on-site?
Where do we put our belongings while skating?
Can we rent equipment and have our skates sharpened?
Is it possible to snowshoe or walk on the trails?
Is it possible to feed the animals?
Is there a fireplace or fire in the evening?
Can we bring a hockey stick?
Do you have a charging station for electric vehicles?
Can we sleep on-site in our RV?
Is there a rate for families?
Do you accept the Leisure Companion Card?
Why is a “local product” included in my ticket?
Why don’t I get $9 worth of honey with my coupon?
SUMMER
Coming soon…
What is the condition of the ice and trails?
Every morning, we update the ice conditions on the Domaine Enchanteur Facebook page and on the website widget at the top right. If the weather does not allow opening, it is also announced on our Facebook page.
Note that our trails are in the forest, in the form of natural ice. It is NOT a refrigerated rink. We groom the trails with the Zamboni several times a day with our 25+ years of experience, but we remain at the mercy of Mother Nature. Rain, snow, and traffic can affect the ice during the day. However, this does not detract from the enjoyment of outdoor activities, sheltered from the wind. There are 15 km of maze-like trails. It takes about thirty minutes to reach the bottom of the Domaine and skate without getting bored for 2 hours! You’ll encounter animals while skating. It’s also possible to walk along the trails or in the snowshoe trail that goes around the Domaine.
It is strictly forbidden to skate on rivers and lakes.
Are the trails lit in the evening?
Thanks to a partnership with Tourisme Mauricie, lighting effects were added in late 2020 to about two-thirds of the Domaine, in the forest, to offer you a renewed and original experience! Note that the trails are not fully lit, which means caution is still required. Remember to bring a flashlight or headlamp for added safety.
What is the best time to come skating?
The trail maze is so large that you won’t feel like there are many people on the site! However, the quietest times are in the morning before 11 am and after 5 pm, as well as on weekdays (excluding holidays, of course). The busiest times are on weekends, especially Saturdays, between 11 am and 2 pm.
Advantages of coming before 11 am: less crowded, and the ice is beautiful, as it has been redone overnight and has not been skated on yet.
Advantages of coming during the day: family atmosphere and possible animations.
Advantages of coming after 5 pm: less crowded, special atmosphere of skating with lights or with a headlamp. If there has been a lot of traffic, the ice is redone in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on conditions and time to cover all the trails!
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, as long as you keep it on a short leash and clean up after it. Upon arrival, we will ask you to make a voluntary cash donation. The amounts are entirely donated to the Community Support Action of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel.
We have a restaurant where you will find snack-type dishes, as well as soups, spaghetti, club sandwiches, etc. You can eat inside, and picnic tables are also available outside.
The restaurant opens for lunch and closes at 5 pm, except on Saturdays at 7 pm.
Also, since your ticket is valid for the day, you can go out to eat and come back to skate later!
Where do we put our belongings while skating?
Upon arrival, we will direct you to a building where you can put on your skates or snowshoes and leave your belongings. Note that we are not responsible for the loss of your belongings. At the Proshop, you can rent a locker (box with your belongings that we keep behind the cash counter) or a locker (bring $5 in cash for a deposit).
For your safety, it is strictly forbidden to skate, even with blade guards, in the parking lot, at the reception, and in the shop. Remember to take your belongings with you, so you don’t have to go back to your vehicle!
Can we rent equipment and have our skates sharpened?
We offer rental services for skates, snowshoes, sleds, stabilizers, and helmets. We also offer skate sharpening and locker rental services. Finally, you can also buy crampons, flashlights, hand warmers, and foot warmers. Everything is available at the Pro-Shop, but
is not possible to reserve them. We have a lot of skates and sleds, but please consider that we cannot guarantee your size will be available during your visit. We have skates for men up to size 13 and women, up to size 12. The Pro-Shop is open up to one hour before closing.
Is it possible to snowshoe or walk on the trails?
Yes, our trail is now a marked loop of about 4.5 km. You can also walk along the trails, being careful not to damage the ice with crampons and being cautious when crossing a skating trail.
Is it possible to feed the animals?
Yes, but only with Domaine feed for safety. This feed is available at the reception and in dispensers.
Is there a fireplace or fire in the evening?
Yes, we have several areas with fireplaces.
No, hockey sticks are not allowed.
Do you have a charging station for electric vehicles
For now, we do not have an electrical outlet. Outlets are available at City Hall (3860 Hotel-de-Ville Street) and at the library (3991 Mgr Béliveau Street) in Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel.
Can we sleep on-site in our RV?
It is possible to park an RV, but only to come to the Domaine and not to spend the night. Cooking or making an outdoor fire is prohibited.
We do not have a family package, but we have revised our pricing to help families: the price for adults remains the same as the last two years, while the price for those under 12 has been reduced by $3, tax included. Also, it is always free for children under 5 years old.
We also have a rate for groups of at least 20 people. Call 819-378-5946 option 2 for more information.
Do you accept the Leisure Companion Card?
Yes, with the Leisure Companion Card (CAL), as a person with a disability, you do not have to pay for the entry of your companion. The card must be valid, with a photo, and presented at the reception.
Why is a “local product” included in my ticket?
Domaine Enchanteur is located on agricultural land operated by Domaine de la Forêt Perdue and protected as such by the Agricultural Land Protection Act (whose application is ensured by the CPTAQ). Thus, we are allowed to let our customers walk the trails and enjoy leisure activities, provided they support agricultural production. This law helps regulate agrotourism activities and prevent agricultural land from being used for other purposes. More info: http://www.cptaq.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=28
So, when you come to Domaine Enchanteur, you are not just skating, seeing the animals, or doing the aerial course. You are making a strong gesture. You contribute to the preservation of bee colonies and, by extension, to the pollination of crops, the same ones that allow you to enjoy good products from Quebec farms.
In other words, when you buy honey or mealworms produced by Domaine de la Forêt Perdue, the company operating these agricultural lands, you encourage us, and in return, we allow you access to the Domaine. That’s why it is not possible to come to the Domaine without buying a local product, and it is integrated into the entrance fee.
So, you spend a beautiful day outdoors, in a pleasant and original setting, and on top of that, you can taste our delicious honey, 100% pure honey, sold only at the Domaine.
It is important to know that beekeeping is an expensive and risky activity. In addition to diseases and poor wintering conditions that can decimate a colony in a single winter (as was the case in 2020-2021), artisanal honey extraction and potting – and not industrial – involve significant operating costs. Domaine de la Forêt Perdue is a small, family-run, local operation that ensures a seasonal, additive-free production from our fields. Thanks to the activities of Domaine Enchanteur, it provides year-round and permanent employment to several people and contributes to the vitality and development of the region.
Furthermore, to ensure that your experience is renewed year after year, we are constantly developing new activities and facilities. Domaine Enchanteur is a unique and original place, recognized throughout Quebec and internationally. We maintain 15 km of groomed trails with the Zamboni, a snowshoe trail, an animal park, ropes courses, and interpretation activities, as well as accommodation, a seeded water body, equipment rental and sharpening services, catering, and a restaurant. In the winter season, we are open every day, including holidays and holidays, from 10 am to 10 pm!
Domaine de la Forêt Perdue and Domaine Enchanteur are also heavily involved in their community. An “open house” event is held every year to allow local families, especially those in need, to enjoy the Domaine. We also welcome a large number of students from across Quebec who come to discover the world of bees and encourage their preservation. Not to mention various social sponsorships and involvements, of course.
We hope these few words have helped you better understand our activities and how we operate. Coming to Le Domaine Enchanteur means living an original experience, sharing emotions and thrills, making memories, supporting local businesses and getting involved in a better future for our planet. For all this, THANK YOU!