My top ten things to see and do in and around Sutton
- Ski Mont SUTTON. Just a 4 minute drive is one of Quebec`s leading ski resorts. Renowned for its glade skiing the mountain has 60 trails and a 1500 foot vertical drop. We offer all sorts of ski packages and specials so please ask me for advice. A free shuttle service to the ski hill passes in front of the B&B at weekends and during the main holiday periods.
- Cross country skiing at pleinairsutton.coop (Sutton en Haut). This friendly co-op offers 20 miles of cross country trails in a magnificent centuries old forest. Equipment rental and a waxing room also available.
- Snowshoe or hike on the Sutton massif. There are over 200km of winter trails and circuits of all types of difficulty and length. Trails are managed by a number of different organizations including PENS, pleinairsutton.coop (Sutton En Haut), Au Diable Vert and Réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes. Day passes are required and are available here at the B&B as part of our snowshoe package. Snowshoe and crampon rental can also be arranged.
- Visit a vineyard. Sutton is located on La Route des Vins – a signposted route linking 18 vineyards. Many are open in the winter and each has their own particular attraction but we particularly like Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise, L’Orpailleur for its wine museum and Domaine Bresee (right on our doorstep) for its delicious rosé. Ask me for coupons for free tastings.
- Drive the Townships Trail. This sign posted route will take you through some of the Townships loveliest winter scenery. From Sutton you can follow the Trail via Mansonville to the Abbaye de Sainte-Benoît-du-Lac where you can listen to the Gregorian chanting and buy some cheese! Afterwards continue on to Magog and return via Lac Brome (Knowlton). To add to your enjoyment I can lend you a CD of Townships’ stories and history to play as you drive.
- Relax at a Nordic spa. Spend an afternoon or evening enjoying a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. The Spa des Chutes de Bolton is a 40 minute drive east and Spa Balnea is 25 minutes west. Alternatively we have some excellent massage therapists here in Sutton. Ask us for a recommendation.
- Go gourmet food shopping. In the middle of Sutton’s rue Principale, speciality store La Rumeur Affamée has a wonderful selection of local cheeses, cold cuts, breads, pies and pastries. Chez Matis (inside the Atelier Bouffe kitchen store) has excellent pre-prepared dishes. In addition to wine Domaine Bresee sells its local Charolais beef. Domaine Pinnacle`s ice cider is not to be missed. Don’t forget the Belgian chocolate from Muriel chocolate store.
- Visit an art gallery or exhibition. Sutton has a huge number of artists. You can see their works at the galleries along, and just off, rue Principale
- Take a hot yoga class. Satya Yoga on rue Principle offers a wide range of classes including Ashtanga, lyengar, hot yoga and Zumba.
- Sip a hot chocolate! Good places to do this include by the fire in the parlour here at the B&B or at Le Cafetier or Muriel chocolate shop on rue Principale.
Spring, summer and fall
- Hike on the Sutton massif. There are over 250km of trails and circuits of all types of difficulty and length. Trails are managed by a number of different organizations including PENS and Réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes. Day passes are required and are available here at the B&B as well as maps and picnic lunches – all of which are included in our Sutton hiking package.
- Visit a vineyard. Sutton is located on La Route des Vins – a signposted route linking 18 vineyards. Each has their own particular attraction but we particularly like Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise for its beautiful outdoor sculpture exhibition, L’Orpailleur for its wine museum, Domaine Bresee (right on our doorstep) for its delicious rosé and Chapelle Ste Agnès for its breathtaking location.
- Cycle the Mont Sutton circuit. With its rolling hills Sutton is not for the faint of heart but keen cyclists flock to Sutton for the challenge of the Mont Sutton circuits and the Jay Peak circuit just over the US border (so dont forget your passport). Our cycling package has all you need to discover the area.
- Drive the Townships Trail. This signposted route will take you through some of the Townships loveliest scenery and lead you to some of its prettiest villages. From Sutton you can follow the Trail through Mansonville to the Abbaye de Sainte-Benoît-du-Lac where you can listen to the Gregorian chanting and buy some cheese! Afterwards continue on to Magog and return via Lac Brome (Knowlton).
- Kayak the calm waters of the Missisquoi river. No experience is needed to spend a day floating along this beautiful river at your own pace. Our Sutton kayak package includes kayak rental and a picnic lunch.
- Relax at a Nordic spa. Spend an afternoon or evening enjoying a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. The Spa des Chutes de Bolton is a 40 minute drive and Balnea a 30 minute drive. Alternatively we have some excellent massage therapists here in Sutton. Ask us for a recommendation.
- Zip through the trees. If you have a head for heights the treetop aerial adventure at pleinairsutton.coop is not to be missed. Ziplines, tightropes, balance logs and a huge Tarzan swing over four levels of increasing difficulty. There is also a course for children. Both are included in our aerial adventure package.
- Shop for a picnic. In the middle of Sutton’s rue Principale, speciality store La Rumeur Affamée has a wonderful selection of local cheeses, cold cuts, breads, pies and pastries. Alternatively Chez Matis (inside the Atelier Bouffe kitchen store) has excellent pre-prepared dishes. Wash it all down with a bottle of wine from Domaine Bresee or try Domaine Pinnacle`s ice cider. Finish with some Belgian chocolates from chocolaterie Belge Muriel.
- Visit an art gallery or exhibition. Sutton has a huge number of artists. You can see their works at the galleries along, and just off, rue Principale. In July the Tour des Arts gives you a chance to visit many local artists at home in their workshops. If you like sculpture don’t miss a visit to Domaine des Cotes d’Ardoise’s summer exhibition of sculpture in the vineyard.
- Do NOTHING! Good places to do nothing include the verandah or the pergola here at the B&B, the terasse of Le Cafetier, the rocks by the Witches Cauldron, the picnic tables at Domaine Bresee…
