The Clarins Groupe has makeup, skin care, fragrances and cosmetic brands under its umbrella, so when their warehouse opens to the public, you can look for the one that you prefer: perhaps Anna Sui, Thierry Mugler, Azzaro, Bucheron, Nuxe, Pur Minerals, Kibio, Roxy, Van Kleef & Arpel, Porsche, Annick Goutal, Lanvin, Burberry, and of course, Clarins. No strollers, backpacks or children under 12 are allowed at the sale for safety reasons.

815 Desserte (Service Rd.  Aut. 13), Laval
corner: boul. Notre Dame
Phone:  450-688-0144
Dates: Fri June 8: 10-9;  Sat June 9: 9-5
http://us.clarins.com

Bikini Village is holding warehouse sale for women’s suits, clothing and beach accessories. Prices start at an unbelievable $.99, $2.99, $4.99, $6.99, $9.99 & up.  From now until they run out of stock, you can just feel the summer breezes when trying on swimsuits: bikini lounge, Captiva, Skye, Roxy, Vitamin A, Guess, Hula Honey, Point Zero, Hurley, Seafolly.

You’ll have enough money left over (prices are 90% 0ff) for a day at the beach. There are more than 80,000 items offered at clearance prices, and new arrivals each week.

Location: 3610 Cote Vertu
corner: Begin
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30-9, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5
Date:  Now until they run out of stock
www.bikinivillage.com

I’ve been watching Bikini Village Entrepot shrink and worried about its demise, and now it has happened. Starting on Sunday Dec 18th, they will be selling off everything in the joint for 50% off prices that were already ridiculous. I’ve seen $2.99 price tags in this place.

You may want to call first for instructions on how to get to this hard to find place which is off of Taschereau Blvd.  You will be rewarded by up to 75% off bathing suits mostly for women  (women XS-16, men only a bit S-XXL) with names you know – Seafolly, Billabong, Livia, Vitamin A, Split, Gottex, Christina, Roxy, O’Neil, Bikini Bar, Roots, Tyr, Captiva.

Bad moment for them but good timing for anyone taking off for places South. Rumor has it that they are opening in Ste. Julie. If anyone finds it, please let me know.

Location: 2727 boul. Taschereau
corner: Marie (enter through Marie and left on boul. Grand, entrée au 2740 rue Mackay )
Tel: 450-9231754
www.bikinivillage.com

Par contre du 18 au 28 décembre 2011, grande vente de fermeture…tout a 50% du dernier prix marque. Profitez-en pour stocker votre garde-robe de maillots à bons prix pour vos vacances d’hiver ou pour l’été prochain.

Voici les dernières nouvelles de Bikini Village: l’Entrepôt du 2727 Taschereau fermera définitivement ses porte  le 13 janvier 2012….

The Clarins Groupe has makeup, skin care, fragrances and cosmetic brands under its umbrella, so when their warehouse opens to the public, you can look for the one that you prefer: perhaps Anna Sui, Thierry Mugler, Azzaro, Bucheron, Nuxe, Pur Minerals, Kibio, Roxy, Van Kleef & Arpel, Porsche, Annick Goutal, Quiksilver, and of course, Clarins. No strollers or children under 12 are allowed at the sale for safety reasons.

815 Desserte (Service Rd.  Aut. 13), Laval
corner: boul. Notre Dame
Phone:  450-688-0144
Dates: Nov 11: 10-9;  Nov 12: 9-5
http://us.clarins.com

Oberson is selling off demo skis: twin tip K2Press Volkl Ledge, 4Frnt Clik! for $249.95 (reg $459) for 2 days only, this Sat and Sun. Ride Manic boards are $299.95 (reg. $429.95).

Another bargain at Oberson is the yearly junior ski rental for $59.95 (plus $10 installation fee). If you spend $250 on the 2011-2012 winter garment collection, ask for your $50 gift card.

Oberson, the biggest ski store in Quebec has invested in the amazing Wintersteiger machine – there are only three in North America. You no longer have to worry if you waited for the last minute to get your skis or snowboards tuned up.  From October thru April, there are “no-wait” tune-ups ($34.95, $49.95).

When you shop here, if  you stay to the left side you can find snowboard packages as low as $199.95, and ski & bindings packages can be $299.95. Many brands of ski wear (Descente, Karbon, Phenix, Spyder, Bonfire, Orage) from last year’s collections and ends-of-lines are here too.

The right side of the store offers this season’s goods at this season’s prices. In the Spring there’s streetwear (Roxy, Quiksilver, Oakley) and in-line skates (Rollerblade, K2, Reebok, as low as $59.99), soccer (Adidas, Umbro, Puma) and bikes.  Snowboards can be tuned up.

Location: 1355 boul. des Laurentides, Laval
corner: boul. St-Martin
Phone: 450-669-5123
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5 Sale Dates: Sept 24&25
Other location (deals mixed in with new): Dix30 Brossard,  8025 boul. Taschereau o. (450-462-4040).
www.oberson.com

If you have my book, Smart Shopping Montreal, you know about the fabulous Bikini Village Entrepot where women and men can score great prices on swim wear all year long. As if that wasn’t good enough, they have started warehouse sales when the stock piles up too high. Everything is nicely  separated by size and most of the items are  hung on racks like a regular store.

From now until they run out of stock, you can just feel the summer breezes when trying on swimsuits (Roxy, Skye, Turquoise, Billabong, Beach Couture, O’Neill, Captiva, Bikini Bar & Shan) and have enough money left over (prices are 90% 0ff) for a day at the beach.

Location: 3619 Cote Vertu
corner: Begin
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 12-5
Date: Now til they run out of stock
www.bikinivillage.com

This post covers the Canadian Ski Patrol sale, Oberson for ski deals and no-wait tune-ups, Poubelle du Ski for trade-ins or renting, and the FREE Snowpass.

Canadian Ski Patrol Sale

This is a chance for you to new quality ski and snowboard equipment (last year’s models) at greatly reduced prices.  So you can expect to buy skis, boots, snowboards, clothing and cross-country equipment. The best part is that  100% of profits of the “Ski and Board Sale” support volunteer first aid and rescue services by the Canadian Ski Patrol.

The CSPS is Canada’s largest active volunteer first aid and rescue organization. Any skier or boarder who has an accident is always hugely thankful that the Ski Patrol is there to bring them down the hill on a toboggan.

Place: Champlain College, 900 Riverside Dr.,  St. Lambert
Phone: 514-481-7495
Date: Sat & Sun, Nov 14 &15: 10-6
www.skibazar.com

Oberson

Oberson, the biggest ski store in Quebec has invested in the amazing Wintersteiger machine – there are only three in North America. You no longer have to worry if you waited for the last minute to get your skis or snowboards tuned up.  From October thru April, there are “no-wait” tune-ups ($34.95, $49.95).

While you are there, you can find snowboard packages as low as $199 95, and ski & bindings packages can be $329.95. Many brands of ski wear (Descente, Karbon, Phenix, Spyder, Bonfire, Orage) from last year’s collections and ends-of-lines are here too. The other side of the store offers this season’s goods at this season’s prices.

In the Spring there’ streetwear (Roxy, Quiksilver, Rusty) and in-line skates (Rollerblade, K2, Reebok, as low as $59.99), soccer stuff (Adidas, Lotto, Umbro, Puma) and bikes. At the end of the summer is the big sale on skis.

Location: 1355 boul. des Laurentides, Laval Daniel
Corner: boul. St-Martin
Phone: 450-669-5123
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
Other location (deals mixed in with new): Brossard,  8025 boul. Taschereau o. (450-462-4040).
www.oberson.com

Poubelle du Ski

Used (and new) ski equipment for either cross-country, downhill or telemark and skating has been exchanged here for 37 years. If you want to trade old boots for new old ones, it’ll cost about $25 – $100. You can rent cross-country equipment for 3 days for $29. A really good deal is to rent your kids’ ski equipment for $79 for the entire season. Seasonal snowboard/boots rental is only $100 for a used one. Rental of a ski box for your car is $100 for the season. There are decent prices on liquidation items like new skis or clothing (Columbia, Bad Bones, Rip Zone, Lifa, Helly Hansen, Louis Garneau). Other locations: Laval, 1316 Cure Labelle Blvd. (450-978-5307 or 450-978-5641); St-Hubert, 4200 Chambly Rd. (450-445-4916); St-Hyacinthe, 5500 Laurier (450-771-2644); Chambly, 1201 Perigny (450-477-7030).

Free Skiing

In order to encourage kids to take up skiing or to ski more, most major ski centers across Canada teamed up to offer a FREE Grade 4 or 5 SnowPass to kids who are 10 years old. Sign up at snowpass.org or at Sports Experts and Intersport stores.

Oberson, the biggest ski store in Quebec has invested in the amazing Wintersteiger machine – there are only three in North America. You no longer have to worry if you waited for the last minute to get your skis tuned up.  From October thru April, there are “no-wait” tune-ups ($34.95, $49.95).

While you are there, you can find snowboard packages as low as $199 95, and ski & bindings packages can be $329.95. Many brands of ski wear (Descente, Karbon, Phenix, Spyder, Bonfire, Orage) from last year’s collections and ends-of-lines are here too. The other side of the store offers this season’s goods at this season’s prices.

In the Spring there’ streetwear (Roxy, Quiksilver, Rusty) and in-line skates (Rollerblade, K2, Reebok, as low as $59.99), soccer stuff (Adidas, Lotto, Umbro, Puma) and bikes. At the end of the summer is the big sale on skis.

Location: 1355 boul. des Laurentides, Laval
Corner: boul. St-Martin
Phone: 450-669-5123
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
Other location (deals mixed in with new): Brossard,  8025 boul. Taschereau o. (450-462-4040).
www.oberson.com

Oberson is one of the biggest ski stores in Quebec, it stands to reason that they buy a lot of ski equipment. If it all doesn’t get sold by the end of the winter, they gather it together and in August they hold a huge clearance sale. The sale has already started and will go on for a couple of weeks more.

There’s snowboard packages as low as $199.95, and ski & bindings packages can be $329.95. Many brands of ski wear (Descente, Karbon, Bonfire, Orage, Phenix, Spyder) from last year’s collections and ends-of-lines are here too. The right side of the store offers this season’s goods at this season’s prices, including streetwear and bathing suits (Roxy, Quiksilver, Rusty). In the spring, all this changes to in-line skates (Rollerblade, K2, Reebok, as low as $59.99), soccer (Adidas, Lotto, Umbro, Puma) and bikes. They offer snowboard tune-ups and 5 minute ski tune-ups on a new super duper machine.

Location: 1355 boul. des Laurentides, Laval
Phone: 450-669-5123
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
Other location (deals mixed in with new): Brossard,  8025 boul. Taschereau o. (450-462-4040).
www.oberson.com

Even for women who adore shopping, looking for bathing suits is the worst kind of shopping.

Just trying to figure out what a suit is going to look like on your body from its appearance drooping on a hanger is the job for a mind reader. The average number of suits a woman takes into a dressing room is twenty, and she’s going to be there for one to two hours trying to figure out which one shows the least amount of her flaws. The most anyone has tried on at Paradis du Maillot is 121 suits!

Milad Hodhod, owner of Paradis du Maillot, really surprised me when he mentioned, “ Sixty percent of bathing suits never even get wet.” In fact there are entire lines of suits that are made for show – they have piles of bling, impractical fabrics for water and all kinds of fancy trimmings.

The bathing suit manufacturers have really gone madly out in all directions to help us find something that pleases. There are niche suits for every type of figure imaginable. Starting with women who are thin and flat-chested, there are suits with padded bras or gel enhancers (which feel more like breasts). At the other end of the spectrum are the women who have had implants and want to show them off, so there are tops that are cut provocatively for them.

The best news in the industry, though, is the great concept of mix and match pieces – just like casual clothing. No longer are you stuck buying a two piece in one size. Not only can you buy a top of one size and a bottom of another, you can even choose different kinds of tops and bottoms in co-ordinating colors to suit your body shape. You can buy a teensy bikini top for your trip to the Riviera and then a tank top for sitting on the pool deck with your in-laws.

Bikini Village Entrepot, 2727  Taschereau Blvd. at Marie Blvd., St. Hubert. Phone: (450) 923-1754. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p..m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. (after Labor Day and until May: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.).  Call first for instructions on how to get to this hard to find place (enter through Marie and left on boul.Grand). You will be rewarded by up to 75% off youthful styles of bathing suits for women and men (women XS-16, men S-XXL) with names you know – Seafolly, Billabong, Livia, Vitamin A, Split, Gottex, Christina, Tommy, Roxy, O’Neil. Look for special promotions of casual clothing. Right now there is a mix and match bathing suit sale going on for $1.99 top or bottom each and even 2-piece tankinis for $5.95   www.bikinivillage.com

Paradis du Maillot, 9800 St. Laurent Blvd at Sauve St. Phone: (514) 389-2032. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m,. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is bathing suit heaven – a one stop shop for the whole family, with amazing prices. Since it is so large – 12,000 sq. ft. – they can fill it to the rafters with thousands of suits, with walls full of mix and match tops and bottoms. When you are ready to buy, you can select twenty or so, go in to their spacious, air-vented, large-mirrored try-on rooms and find one that fits your body. Suits from all over the world – Brazil, South Africa, Columbia, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, U.S., Spain, Germany, France and the Mid-East  – are there for all body types. Men will see their favorite board suits, but the newer trend is the shorter leg (think boxer brief length) volley suit.