No matter how things are going economically, management experts agree that it’s important to devote time to teambuilding activities. They’re a must for building strong relationships and revealing employees’ hidden talents. The Laurentians are chock-full of places where businesses of all sizes can strengthen their teams in the great outdoors.
Auberge du Lac Morency in Saint-Hippolyte is one such location. For more than 25 years, the inn has welcomed over 150 businesses annually, with groups of six to 150 employees, in search of the perfect setting to rally their troops. In addition to two meeting rooms (with capacities of 30 and 80 people), the 40-room, 24-apartment establishment stands out due to the vast array of outdoor activities it offers year round.
“Our new package, which includes fishing, a session with a trapper, and a lakeside picnic, is already a big hit with SMEs,” said François Péloquin, the inn’s general manager. The inn’s excavator activity, which lets participants operate a real hydraulic machine for a morning or afternoon, is also very popular with business clients.
Péloquin explained that he works closely with Activac, an agency specializing in teambuilding activities. Over one-third of the inn’s business clients use the services of this Laurentians-based agency, he said.
Between earth and sky in Tremblant …
Tremblant resort is also a choice outdoor destination for teambuilding activities. This popularity is partially due to Ziptrek. Since 2014, the company has let visitors soar over the landscape on a zipline experience. “Most companies that are in the area for a conference add our activity to their schedule,” said operations manager Jade McInnes. “Especially if their event takes place in the fall.”
In total, Ziptrek has five ziplines spanning nearly four kilometres between the peak and the pedestrian village. “What’s special about our aerial adventure is that there’s ecological information sprinkled in,” McInnes added. “Visitors learn about the discovery of the Laurentians and its fauna. We hope to make everyone aware of the importance of preserving our environment. That makes Ziptrek a sustainable activity.”
… and in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Ziplines can also be found at Tyroparc in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. Opened in 2014, this 115-acre adventure park offers four ziplines that vary in length from 550 to 915 metres, a via ferrata course, a brand-new snack bar, and a welcome centre that can host 80 people for a meal (or 120 for a cocktail party).
“We can also accommodate groups of over 300 people when organizations rent a tent,” said owner Philippe Cornette. In fact, around a dozen times a year, companies book the entire park for group activities surrounded by the region’s spectacular decor.
