The winter scene at Station Boréale belongs in a snow globe: Shoveled pathways lead to a village of igloo-like structures with big picture windows and sun-filled skylights. The landscape is wooded and remote, and the locale is a tiny island on a lake in Western Quebec.
Station Boréale is a true destination — and one that’s well worth the effort it takes to get there. In the summer, the fun revolves around De Montigny Lake — which has fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking, with rentals available. The lakefront Siscoe Golf Club is onsite.
But winters on Siscoe Island are extra special. Station Boréale’s eight lakefront domes were built for Quebec’s northern climate, providing a cozy respite from the harsh Canadian winter. The heated floors provide a warm welcome after a snowmobiling adventure in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue wilderness or a day spent exploring the frozen-over lake on skis or snowshoes, and the lofted beds are set under a domed skylight that provides unobstructed night-sky views.
Courtesy of Station Boreale
Courtesy of Station Boreale
“As soon as I cross the bridge onto Siscoe Island, I am overcome by its enchanting beauty. It is my pleasure to put the experience I have acquired in the event industry to great use by creating a universe you are bound to remember,” said Melissa Drainville, Station Boréale’s general manager, on its website.
And oh what a universe it is. Each of the eight domes at Station Boréale is outfitted with a full kitchen, a modern bathroom, and a living room with 180-degree views. In addition to the bed on the mezzanine under the skylight, the living room couch converts into a queen-size bed, allowing each dome to accommodate up to four guests.
Courtesy of Station Boreale
Courtesy of Station Boreale
The magic of Station Boréale begins at sunset when the setting sun casts its waning light over the lake. And the domes, which are perched along the water on the western side of Siscoe Island, get a front-row view. After dark, the magic moves higher in the sky, where the Northern Lights and starry skies take center stage.
To access Station Boréale, travelers must take the bridge to Siscoe Island on De Montigny Lake. The closest city, Val-d’Or, is a 15-minute drive to the south and has a small regional airport, Aéroport régional de Val-d’Or (CYVO). The closest international airport, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), is a five-hour drive from Station Boréale.
From source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/station-boreale-domes-siscoe-island-canada-8363975.
