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The Esterel Hotel Gears up for 2008-09 Snowmobile Season

Nov 13 2008: City of Esterel Quebec: Wanda the Snowmobile Hostess at Esterel is getting ready for winter. In this story you will see her visit the snowmobile dealers in the area with Zen, to keep in touch during the calm before the snowmobile season stars.

Snowmobilers from near and far will be counting on Wanda this winter, to help them enjoy the best possible snowmobile holiday in Quebec. There are so many uncontrollable variables, it's nice to know that the basics are covered. Wanda looks after her guests, from ensuring the security of your sleds, truck and trailer, to having access to maps, to providing fast mechanical services. Also, Wanda will make sure you enjoy your room, the dining room, and the 'Cheers' like atmosphere in the bar.

In just a few weeks, the lake in front of the Esterel Hotel will look like this, and the snowmobile trails will be groomed, so call Wanda today for the low down on the snowmobile special price packages available. You'll enjoy the five star treatment in your room, the dining room and the bar, for a very low snowmobile price. Here is what the Hotel looks like in December!

On day of my visit at Esterel, I discovered that I left my camera behind. Luckily, I was able to drive twenty minutes to the closest Walmart, to replace it.

Lorraine sells me a new camera at Wallmart in Ste- Agathe Quebec.

When you stay at Esterel, you are surrounded by beautiful lakeside homes and forests, but only a few miles away, you can still access everything you might need. The ladies that visit Esterel love to visit the discount factory boutique outlets found in nearby St-Sauveur.

The region is filled with highly evolved small tourist towns like Ste-Adel, St-Sauveur, and Ste-Agathe. The choice for shoppers is diverse, and the when it's time to eat, you can select one of many small romantic restaurants.

Wanda and Don brought me to this cozy restaurant that featured the most delicious smoked ham I have ever tasted. In the centre of the restaurant was a roaring fire, that added to the ambiance. The hospitality industry here is second to none, and the service people are second to none.

Wanda order the crepe specialty, and I got the Crock Monsieur, covered in melted cheese. It was a perfect lunch, but now it was time to get back to work. We had to visit all the snowmobile dealerships. We started with Desjardins Yamaha in Ste-Adel.

First we checked out the Yamaha "side by side". These units are growing in popularity, and provide great comfort and reliability for riding the trails and back roads. The four by four suspension will go almost anywhere. I think this would be alot of fun - I want one!

Wanda wants the blue one, a 600cc touring. Plenty of power and reliability.

Wanda visited with some of the mechanics down in the Yamaha service department. Danny is on of the guys that will be helping out this winter.

Over at the parts counter, we met with Yvon, Danny and Benoit. It's good to know that the Yamaha team will back us up this winter at Esterel.

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While we are driving over to the Skidoo dealership, the snow starts to fly. Winter is on her way.

Click here to see a video of the dealership.

As I drove around the local villages, I discovered three beautiful murals. This region is built on providing good service to the savy tourist, beauty is foremost in priority.

After visiting our dealers, we went back to the Esterel, and Wanda went back to work sending letters out to all her regular snowmobile clients.

In the office, I met two new staff members, Chantal and Crystal. They both work in sales. The Esterel receives thousands of visitors from many countries every year, and maintain a large qualified office staff to make it happen.

On the other side of the counter, these two workers pick up their work details from the office. They work in the dining room. (You may remember them from last year's story.) Good people is what makes Esterel special. I'm glad to see we still have these two here, because they are senior kitchen staff. Very good guys that make me feel at home in the dining room!

Meanwhile, back at the groomer garage - - At three pm, we went up the the Bliiard Snowmobile Club shop, to meet with Paul, the main groomer guy.

"Hey Paul! You look almost as good as Wanda!".

Paul treats this groomer like it was his very own, and grooms a mean trail - - Eighty kilometers of it, every two days on average.

Later in the afternoon, our efforts were rewarded with a little snow to encourage us. It looks good on the ground! A good sign of things to come this winter. The Farmers' Almanac tells us she's going to be a cold one, with deep snow like last year, so book your rooms early.

At the end of the day, I got a very special treat. Wanda and Mr. Z. took me out for excellent Greek dining. Phillipo was our waiter. He had our special table reserved in the corner for us, and already had Mr. Z's favourite wine on ice when we arrived. We ate octopus and it was spectacular. Then I had the Mediterranean Sea Bass with Greek Salad, special tomato Lima beans, on a bed or vegetable rice. Wow.

One More time - Friday Night!

Friday night the hotel is almost full once again, and the dining room is busy with happy people, especially me. Look carefully at the top plate (click the photo to enlarge). That is my entrée; a perfectly prepared, sumptuous pepper steak. That followed a delicious cream of vegetable soup, and an appetizer of deep fried shrimp. The first three courses were followed by the rich melting Belgian chocolate over a double chocolate tort. I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

This is Thierry, the Maitre D'

Imagine the service by this gentleman! He was everywhere in the dining room at the same time. A magician! One moment he was opening a bottle of red wine, the next moment he was bringing me a delicious cup of Brazilian coffee.

"Thanks Thierry! I have appreciated your service for four years, and I know you have been serving these people for over a decade! Keep up the amazing work my friend."

In a few weeks, Wanda will tell you the price of the snowmobiler's package for one night, and I know it includes this four course service. I also know that you will be getting far too good of a deal. But what the heck. Us snowmobiliers deserve a little extra once or twice a year. We work hard. Bring the family. You can afford this.

By the way, I had the choice of four or five versions of each main dish, and several choices for each of the four courses. You have to come to Esterel and experience this! You might meet me here, cause I think I'm going to stick around all winter.

Thank you Mr. Z.. Thank you Wanda. Thank you Thierry. Your hospitality was above and beyond anything I could have hoped for..

See you around Christmas when the snow flies!

zw.

Call Wanda's Cel to book your room!

1-450-275-5116

Call the Esterel Hotel to Book your Holiday now!

1-888-378-3735

See More photos of the Esterel Here!

1Snow on the lens- Wanda and Zen outside!

2 See the special boutiques, great shopping for the ladies!

3Malibou Skidoo dealer

4Wanda invites you to return this year!

5Auto route to Esterel - See Zen in the Jeep

6See the Bar - and the Lobby

7Going to visit Wanda at the Esterel

L'Esterel Resort & Convention Centre
39 Fridolin-Simard,
Esterel, Quebec
Canada J0T 1L0

Tel. + 1 450 228 2571
Fax + 1 450 228 2684

www.esterel.com

Learn more about Esterel now, click here

Report from Last Year

Dec 10 2007: Esterel Quebec: The past two days I have been spoiled night and day by Wanda the director of snowmobile tourism here at the Esterel. Tomorrow, I will spend time in the groomer with Robert the snow groomer driver for the Blizzard Snowmobile Club. Remember the photos I took two years ago? Well, get ready for more soon!

The snowmobile trail is shaping up very nicely, as the club works full time with all volunteer drivers. The place is so beautiful, the people so warm and hospitable. Zenwaiter may never leave.

Thanks to the owner, Mr Z, and to all the staff here for their kindness. Let's all come to Esterel this winter, at least once. Enjoy the Five Star accommodations and service, for the very reasonable price of 89. bucks per night, and don't forget, the price includes an amazing breakfast in the dining room, secure parking for your truck and trailer, and the most beautiful hostess on the planet, bar none. WHOA!!! Somebody give me some Nitro, I'm on the verge of having full cardiac arrest!

This is a photo taken from an aerial shot of L'Esterel. I copied it to show you that the 125 room convention resort is located between two bodies of water, and surrounded by Laurentian mountains. A lake is always good for snowmobilers. If the trail gets soft while we are staying at L'Esterel, we can always spend a day playing on the lake!

I pulled the car and trailer into the compound. When I stepped out into the cold still air, I looked over towards the lake, and saw the sled dogs. 140 beautiful fluffy huskies up on their houses, waiting for breakfast. Some were whimpering, some were barking, and a few were howling. It was definately time to eat.

The owner told me that she has to fatten them up all summer, so that they will have the energy needed to pull tourists around the trails all winter. It takes six to eight dogs to pull someone. The dog teams take turns in a rotation, in order to spread the work evenly over the pack.

Every one of these fine animals looks soft and cudly, but they are working dogs, bred with a purpose. They are not pets. The workers were feeding the dogs when I arrived, and they warned me to stay clear of the food dishes. They could mistake me for a t-bone.

(L) Paul, Blizzard Club President, Zen, Wanda, and Robert the Groomer operator.

The securty gaurd in the parking lot directed me to a safe spot, I grabbed my lap top and pack sack, and headed inside. Wanda, the Director of snowmobile tourism for the Esterel, met me with a warm smile, and led me off to the dining room for breakast. There I sat down with Paul, the president of the Blizzard Snowmobile Club, Robert the main operator of the BR 180 trail groomer, and Mr Z, the owner of the Esterel Resort. We were offered the breakfast buffet, and as always, I excersised full restraint as I loaded my plate (not). The selection of cheeses, meats and fruit ranged from mango to exotic meats and spiced sausages. If I worked here, I would weigh three hundred pounds by spring.

Sunshine exterior clip of Esterel

High speed Internet access in lobby

Wanda, my snowmobile hostess, drove me around the lake, and took me to the village of St-Margurite, a quaint French village on the water. Everything looked like a post card. (Somebody - "pinch me!" )

Golf Course deep Powder drive by

Wanda introduces Zen to 'Rambo', Chief of Security at the Esterel secure parking area.

Wanda showed me the Bistro Champlain, where there is a world famous wine cellar, containing litterally millions of dallors of rare collector wines.

As we returned to the car, we met 'Rambo', the Director of Security at the Esterel. He is well known and loved by all the snowmobilers who ride at the Esterel, and is in charge of secure parking with his staff, 24/7. There has been no snowmobile theft at Esterel.

Rambo commands respect from the locals in town, and the word is out in the area, "Don't mess with the the guests at the Esterel, or you'll have to deal with Rambo." He's friendly like a gorilla. Tipping the scale at almost 300 pounds, he stands a full six foot three inches tall. His presence puts us all at ease the moment we park our trailers in the yard. It's nice to knowthat my gear is secure at the Esterel, I can sleep soundly with no worries. Wanda absolutely loves this big guy. "It's like standing next to a mountain." she says.

Call Wanda's Cel right now to book! 450-275-5116

Go to Esterel Web Site Now
Call Wanda the Snowmobile Hostess
1-888-378-3735

Back at the Esterel the temperature was ten below freezing, and the snowmobile club boys shared their enthusiasm. "Finally, we are going to have a great year, we hope! We are off to a good start with over a foot of snow on the ground." said Paul.

Watch video clip of Wanda in the Snow Club Garage

Zen is ready to ride

I pulled my sled off the trailer, and Wanda led me out onto the trails. We headed towards the town of Entre-Lac. My little 500 GSX is not made for two, so Wanda had to saddle up real close. This was very uncomfortable for me, but I suffered through it. :)

On the trail we stopped a few times to talk with the locals. The trail was only packed down, not groomed yet, but there was a ton of snow. Now (Dec 12) it is fully groomed.

You can see the amount of fresh snow, and the tracks. This photo is decieving however, in reality, the trail is slow going, with lots of bumps. In a few low spots, there are branches and icy patches where the streams froze up on the rail. The groomer has his work cut out for him. This morning as I write this (Dec 11) The groomer guys are out on the trails, pulling the ton sled with the knives. When they are done tomorrow, this will be a lot smoother.

Wanda is a good riding partner, but the helmet I lent her is too big and flopped around on her head. In spite of the bumps, she never once complained. She really loves the sport.

Call Wanda's Cel right now to book! 450-275-5116

Back at the Esterel, the sun went down, and we headed in for the dinner. Time to eat some more. We were received by Marc at the dining room, the Maitre D. This is a seriously formal dining room, warmed by a candle lit atmosphere. Tonite, it would be me, Wanda, and five star eats. Man, this is a rough job - but somebody has to do it. :)

See video of the Esterel lobby at night

At this point, I was wishing I had packed my dinner jacket and some dress shoes. Never the less, my host was charming, and made me feel at home. The candle light, the aromatic house wine, and the amazing service, made me feel totally loved and pampered. I can say with full confidence, that any snowmobiler would feel welcomed here, and receive a warm reception. Remember, there is a less formal restaurant in the bar, and a third one on the lower level that is cafeteria style. All the food at Esterel is fresh and made by hand.

Wanda and I enoyed a seafood aperitif, which looked more like a work of art than something to eat. This was followed by a delicious vegetable potage, and a flamming Pepper Steak. See firey the video.

Flames in the Dining Room!

Next morning, Wanda met me for breakfast, and once again, I had to engage my self discipline at the table. I ate a very nice fruit platter with a yogurt, rye bread toast, grapefruit juice, and delicious hot coffee.. lots of coffee. I wasn't rushed, and the lake view had light snow falling that looked like a Disney movie sceene. This is the way I like to start every day. The snowmobile hostess was charming as always, and we discussed the challenges of our industry, like the weather and the unpredictable currency.

Video clip of breakfast with Wanda

From the table, I could see the skating rink out on the lake. Families visit the Esterel to do a variety of winter activities. Dad may go out on his snowmobile with the boys, Mom may take the children on a dog sled tour of the lake, or go shopping in the village where there are several designer boutiques. The next day, the whole family can go skiing at a local hill, or spend the day snow shoeing and skating. The Esterel has everything you need, from ski rentals and snowmobiles, to a horse drawn sliegh for a winter holiday you will never forget.

Esterel has been here for close to fifty years, serving generations of families. When I was a small boy, my Grandfather brough me here to go on a slegh ride. The sliegh bells and the big warm blanket over our knees left lifetime impressions in my memory, and it all comes back every time I visit. An Esterel holiday is a family tradition for thousands of Quebecers, and you are invited to make it part of your family's photo album too.

Call Wanda today to book your rooms. The price for the snowmobile package is only 89. pr night based on double occupancy, and includes a fantastic full breakfast in the dining room. Ask Wanda about the special American bar menu. I can tell you the the food here is incredible and very reasonable. Here are a few examples from the restauraunt in the bar.

Nachos with Salsa and sour creme
Chicken wings with veggies on the side
A selection of fine cheeses and veggies
Pepperoni Pizza
Baby Back Ribs with steak fries
Chicken and Ribs with Steak Fries
The Esterel Burger with cheddar bacon and fries

Call Wanda's Cel right now to book! 450-275-5116

Go to Esterel Web Site Now
Call Wanda the Snowmobile Hostess
1-888-378-3735
snowmobile motels hotels and room accommodations in Quebec's tourism region of the Laurentians.

December 11th 2007
More of short video clips

French Rambo

English Rambo - Chief of Security

The Lovely Wanda - Snowmobile Hostess

Look at the Trail Base Dec 10 07

Wanda Wanda Wanda I Love You!

Riding with Wanda

Learn about Esterel Security Here

More News from Esterel

The Health Spa
The Esterel Hotel has an incredible spa to pamper
your aching bones after a long ride.

Okay boys, here is the plan. Come to Esterel with your wife. She gets a mud bath, and you get to ride! OR if she loves to rides as much as you do, you can both ride all day, then take a SPA day off, get covered in mud, get a massage, the whole nine yards. This will be a fun relaxing couples activity.

Early this morning, I drove to the Esterel Hotel - winter resort about one hour north of Montreal. The snow on the ground created an awesome feeling as I drove through the Laurentian mountains past lakes and rivers, and forests of Maple trees. I met the new snowmobile coordinator, Wanda, and I am happy to report that she is fully committed to making your stay at L'Esterel, your best snowmobile holiday ever. The Blizzard snowmobile club here, is working hard at grooming their 80 kilometers of trails. So far, they have run through them one time to flatten the big snow into a solid base. Wanda and I went for a spin from the hotel up to the village of Entre-Lac. The trail had a good foot of snow, but was very rough with iced over low spots, exposed roots, and branches reachig out for my face shield. We helped one snowmobiler to get un-stuck. She had strayed from the trail into deep soft powder. With continuing cold weather, the trails will soon harden. Then the club will send the groomer out with the scraper in tow to make excellent trail. The Esterel is unique as far as snowmobile resorts is concerned, for many reasons. More on this soon with lots of photos and video clips.

Call Wanda's Cel right now to book! 450-275-5116

Go to Esterel Web Site Now
Call Wanda the Snowmobile Hostess
1-888-378-3735