Almost 3 years ago, we had an exceptional stay in Quebec in the middle of February. Memorable memories that will remain engraved in my memory for a long time. With winter fast approaching and the recent opening of the Canadian borders following the epidemic, I wanted to offer you an article on Quebec: what activities to do in Quebec in the middle of winter? Maybe you heard that it was cold in Quebec, or that there was a lot of snow? Or that winter is long in Quebec? All this is very true, but it is thanks to these very marked winters that you will be able to take advantage of all the great activities to do in Quebec in winter. And then it is cold, of course, but this cold is very dry and with the sun, the days remain very pleasant! So put aside the preconceptions and let yourself be amazed by all the activities to do in winter in Quebec. Who knows, Quebec may be your next destination.
Summary:
- Essential winter activity n°1: dog sledding
- Essential winter activity n°2: snowmobiling
- Cross-country skiing and downhill skiing
- Discover ice canoeing in Quebec
- Test the descent on tube in winter in Quebec
- Snowshoeing in Quebec
- Try ice fishing
- Ice skating, a winter activity to do in Quebec
- Watch an ice hockey game
- Enjoy a meal in a sugar shack
- Ax throwing in winter in Quebec
- Participate in a festival in Quebec
- Try ice climbing in winter in Quebec
- Relax in a Nordic spa
- Discover the fat bike
- Observe the Northern Lights
- Take off in hydroski
- Admire the seal pups on the pack ice
- Sleep at the Quebec Ice Hotel
- Go to Omega Park to observe the animals
- Spend a night surrounded by nature
Essential winter activity n°1: dog sledding
To begin, I have chosen to tell you about one of the most popular activities in Quebec: dog sledding (and not dog sledding). This activity is very present throughout the province and is accessible to the whole family.
In general, a dog sledding excursion goes like this:
- presentation of dogs : this is a time before departure when you can meet the pack and pet the dogs. This moment is quite important because it is with them afterwards that you will leave.
- equipment and instructions : winter weather conditions require specific equipment to set off for a few hours on walks. Then, your musher will give you the instructions that it will be important to follow during the outing.
- the walk : you will see that the dogs will be very excited before the start! Once gone, everyone is in their place, listening to their musher. Depending on the sled you can be 1 or 2 people in the sled and one person can be with the musher behind. You will be able to learn some terms to guide the dogs!
- back home : after this rich walk, some places offer to warm you up with a hot coffee or chocolate! It's also time to say goodbye to your pack, which will have well deserved rest and bowl!
Personally, we tested the Kanatha-Aki center located north of Montreal, near Mont-Tremblant. The dogs were in great shape and very happy to go for a walk. This point is really essential! I invite you to be very careful where you go. The dogs need to look good and be excited at the sight of the sled. Otherwise, move on and look for another place, don't risk a bad experience.
If you want to live this exceptional experience, you can book a walk directly online here: dog sledding trip to Quebec or towards Montreal. These two organizations offer quality activities with dogs in great shape!
If you want more ideas for your dog sledding trip, you can also read our dedicated article: where to go dog sledding in Quebec? You will find many addresses where you can go with your eyes closed. These experiences are spread all over Quebec, both near major cities and in slightly more remote regions for an even more sensational experience! And if you are really a fan of this activity, you will also find suggestions for original stays.
Essential winter activity n°2: snowmobiling
Among the key activities to do in winter in Quebec, there is of course the famous snowmobile, also called ski-doo in Quebec. Who hasn't dreamed of riding these powerful all-purpose motorcycles? In Quebec, it's a real institution. You will find many paths and hundreds of kilometers of trails entirely reserved for snowmobiles.
Before your departure, you will be equipped with specific equipment to enjoy your ride without suffering from the cold as well as classic safety equipment: overalls, gloves, helmets, boots, etc.
Your guide will then tell you the instructions to follow throughout the excursion. A signal code made with the hands is to be known in case you meet other snowmobiles. It is important to report and above all, to report the following snowmobiles for example. Snowmobiling remains a rather dangerous hobby where he scrupulously enforces the instructions given by people who know the terrain.
Moreover, depending on the company you choose, young children will probably not be able to participate in this excursion. Everyone sets the minimum age according to their wishes but very often, those under 14 cannot even be passengers. Find out well before you leave if you are traveling with young people.
Need help preparing for your trip?
Whether you want to plan a snowmobile raid lasting several days, an experience of a few hours on a snowmobile or just enjoy the Quebec winter, it can be interesting to take advantage of the advice of a professional. For this, I highly recommend theagency de voyage Imagine-Canada. They are specialists in the Quebec destination and more generally in Canada.
Cross-country skiing and downhill skiing
Now let's talk about another very popular activity in Quebec that you should know better than the previous ones: skiing. Quebecers practice cross-country skiing a lot, even in the heart of the city in the parks. This activity is quite fun and accessible to many, even the least comfortable on skis. Cross-country skiing is very different from the alpine skiing we know, but it allows you to make very beautiful snowy walks.
As for alpine skiing precisely, Quebecers do not have mountains as high as our Alps or Pyrenees. On the other hand, they have the advantage of having snow at lower altitudes and therefore of being able to take advantage of the surrounding mountains to practice this winter activity in Quebec.
Discover ice canoeing in Quebec
Here's a funny activity that you probably don't know! Indeed, the ice rink is very famous in the city of Quebec. It is practiced on partly frozen waters, such as on the St. Lawrence River. A fairly large race is held each year during the Quebec Carnival.
The principle of the ice canoe is quite simple. It is a race between several canoes led by canoeists. The latter must advance their canoe using oars or by using more original techniques such as the technique of the scooter or that of the dancer. The canoes measure between 6 and 8 meters! This sport is extremely physical, especially when you have to face the strong currents of the St. Lawrence or harsh winter weather conditions! This sport has long been reserved for professionals and the most athletic. Today, you can participate in an initiation to discover this ancestral means of transport, which has become a sport today.
If you want to know more about this practice, you can go to the official website of the Association of Ice Canoe Racers of Quebec.
Want to try the experience of ice canoeing? Go to Quebec for an initiation by clicking here: Discovery of the ice canoe. For more comfort, choose thespa option to do after your ice canoe trip.
Test the descent on tube in winter in Quebec
Another purely Quebec activity: tubing. You can compare this activity to a kind of tobogganing except that instead of descending thanks to a sledge, you are in a large rubber tire. The descent is done in huge corridors of snow. Depending on where you are doing this winter activity, you may even try to attach yourself to several “tires”. Thrills and fun guaranteed!
Snowshoeing in Quebec
Snowshoeing is a classic in countries with a lot of snow like Canada. So if you spend a few days in Quebec during the winter, this seasonal activity is to be done. Snowshoes are now more sophisticated but make no mistake, they are not always restful, especially when there is a lot of snow. Rest assured, this activity is still accessible to the whole family.
Depending on where you will go on your snowshoe outing, trails may already exist, you just have to follow the markings.
You can snowshoe in large urban parks such as Mont-Royal in Montreal or the Plains of Abraham in Quebec; than in the great outdoors in one of the many national parks in Quebec. If you try the experience in the middle of nature, you can enjoy the calm of the snow and try to hear or even observe the local wildlife.
Try ice fishing
Let's continue with this very typical activity to do in Quebec in winter. Ice fishing is simply fishing that is practiced on the ice. A hole is drilled in the ice and allows you to pass your line and the hook. For this practice, you must have great patience because you can wait more or less long at the edge of your hole before a fish decides to bite.
This practice is very widespread and in some places, it is the occasion of a great meeting of fishermen's huts. Indeed, the fishermen arrive with their pick-up and their colorful house in the back. Everyone settles on the ice and the ice fishing season can finally begin. Some huts have an opening in the ground so that you can fish directly from inside. Otherwise, this hut will be very useful for warming up, storing your belongings or preparing a snack.
If you want to admire these astonishing ephemeral villages on the completely frozen St. Lawrence River, head to the city of Saguenay in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Here you can find one of the largest ice fishing villages in the world. For more information, you can look at the website of the organization that takes care of this village: Contact Nature.
Ice skating, a winter activity to do in Quebec
You may have already done some ice skating with friends in an indoor ice rink or at a Christmas market in France. Quebecers also ice skate, but at a higher level than us! Indeed, everyone has their own skates and every weekend, they meet up with friends to skate… in the middle of nature! Very often on a frozen lake or river, you can also find trails in the middle of the forest designed specifically for skating. Ice skating is truly one of Quebecers' favorite winter activities. So if you want to experience a typical Quebec winter, you have to go ice skating. For beginners, I assure you, you can have a kind of cart that allows you to lean on it to move forward.
If you are a little more comfortable, you can even try your hand at another typical and derivative activity: ice hockey. On many lakes, all you have to do is clear the ice, set up the cages and the game can begin!
Did you know?
Bordeaux and Montreal have one thing in common: latitude. Why am I pointing this out to you? Because it is thanks to this fairly low latitude that you can enjoy beautiful sunny days even in winter. This is the big difference with the countries of northern Europe which has days with very little sun, or even none at all depending on the season and the place.
Watch an ice hockey game
I quickly told you about ice hockey previously, because indeed, from an early age, children skate. So they have an incredible level growing up! To really realize it, head to the Bell Center in Montreal to watch a game of the famous Montreal Canadiens. This legendary team sells out almost every game. So be sure to book your ticket in advance.
Otherwise, you can also go see other equally talented Quebec teams such as the Ottawa Senators for example.
Enjoy a meal in a sugar shack
A sugar shack is the maple grove where the delicious maple syrup so emblematic of Quebec is produced. In winter, it is very interesting to have a typical meal there because it is the season of the delicious maple taffy. Maple taffy consists of placing hot maple syrup on fresh snow and rolling this syrup on a stick to make a succulent lollipop.
In addition to taffy, you can also taste many other local specialties made with maple syrup such as baked beans, criss ears, coleslaw, maple syrup pie or even big -fathers in sugar. These dishes are really comforting in the middle of winter!
Meals in a sugar shack are often accompanied by a very friendly and warm atmosphere, and a few musicians.
Ax throwing in winter in Quebec
Canada is the land of lumberjacks, so here's a completely original activity to do in Quebec in winter that you won't soon forget! Contrary to what one might think, this discipline is not as easy as it seems. First of all, the axes are rather heavy. In addition, they must be launched in a very precise way so that they are planted correctly in the target. And yes, during the throw, the ax will make turns on itself, it must therefore arrive at the target with the cutting part, otherwise it will fall to the ground immediately. In short, an activity that will let you off steam and above all, make you laugh a lot!
Participate in a festival in Quebec
Despite what you might think, Quebecers don't stay locked up at home all winter! On the contrary, they are very active and like to get together to party. Throughout the year, summer and winter, many festivals are organized. So if you are passing through a city during a festival, I strongly recommend that you go check it out!
Among the most emblematic, you will find:
- the very famous Carnival of Quebec : it is the biggest winter festival in the world and it is held every year at the beginning of February for about ten days. Many activities are offered throughout the city, you will also find various stands, ice sculptures, ice canoe races (we talked about it a little earlier), … The city lives to the rhythm of this Carnival for a few days !
- Igloofest in Montreal : this music festival attracts many revelers every year. During the last two weeks of January, you are invited to dance on one of the festival's two outdoor stages. Some of the most famous DJs come to perform during this festival in almost extreme conditions!
Try ice climbing in winter in Quebec
Here is another activity that you are more likely to practice in winter in Quebec than elsewhere! Ice climbing is quite common in the province. Indeed, the temperatures and climatic conditions make it possible to have interesting ice walls for climbing. Two options are possible: climb a frozen waterfall like in Parc de la Chute Montmorency for example; otherwise you can find centers that offer colones or "artificial" walls where you can try this demanding sport. The artificial walls are nothing more than a large column from which flows, from above, a trickle of water. With the cold, the column of ice shapes itself, giving rise to surprising shapes.
To embark on this discovery, you will be equipped with shoes with large crampons at the front, ice axes (one in each hand) and a harness for safety. As for the technique, it is very specific to this activity and you will surely need a little time to adapt (a few tens of minutes, no more). The principle then is simple: you plant your shoes and your axes in the ice and you thus progress to the top. You have to have the hand and the kick so that the picks cling well to the ice, because you have to break it but not too much either. In short, I advise you to try!
Relax in a Nordic spa
After introducing you to ice climbing, the experience of the Nordic spa is just right! In Quebec, there are many establishments and complexes that have a large spa area. Some hotels may only offer a Nordic bath or a sauna; while others will be more complete on the services offered.
Still, in Quebec, when it's really cold, there's nothing better than slipping into a very hot spa. The more adventurous can go out for a while and cover themselves in snow, then quickly return to the spa. This practice is widespread and, it seems, is good for your health!
We had the chance to test 2 exceptional addresses:
- Bota-Bota in Montreal : it is a boat at the quay which has been completely redesigned for the well-being of its customers: sauna, cold bath, spa, etc. You can also book massages, manicures or other body treatments. body.
- The Kinipi Nordic Spa in Trois-Rivières : this top-of-the-range hotel complex offers a vast wellness area accessible to everyone. The outdoor pools are sensational in winter. They are lit and fitted out in such a way as to offer a warm and intimate atmosphere.
If you want more information about the city of Trois-Rivières, you can read our article: What to do in Trois-Rivieres? -
-
-
-
In winter in Quebec, it can easily be between -10° and -20°. Rest assured, bathrobes are lent to you, and once in the water, you will no longer feel cold. With the steam, you could with some surprises with frozen hair or eyelashes, but that's all the charm of winter in Quebec!
If you want to test a very famous spa too, you can go to Power Spa Nordique, located on Nuns' Island, south of Montreal.
Otherwise, here is the link to book a stay at Kinipi Spa Nordique.
Discover the fat bike
Now let's move on to a slightly more sporty activity: the fat bike. You may have seen these bikes with huge tires before. That's a fat bike. This somewhat unusual bike is ideal for going out on the snow because the width of its tires allows greater grip. You can even find electric fat bikes today for slightly longer or more complicated rides.
This alternative allows you to discover places that are not easily accessible by car, but also to explore cities like Quebec City for example, or just enjoy an outdoor activity to do in Quebec in winter.
Our clothing tips:
The cold is not a problem in Quebec, you just have to dress well! When I say good, I mean a specific technique that allows you to take advantage of outdoor activities to do in winter in Quebec: the onion technique. Why the onion? Because you have to put several layers! Indeed, it is not useful to put only one big sweater. It is better to favor the different layers: a breathable t-shirt, a warm undershirt, a sweater and a big down jacket. Same for hands, feet, legs and head. You will see that in sports or hiking stores, you will find these thin and ultra-warm under layers: gloves, leggings, under-sweater, under-cap, silk sock,... These clothes are thin and slip easily under your usual clothes. For even more comfort, opt for heating patches to put in your gloves or in your shoes.
For outdoor activities such as dog sledding or snowmobiling, specific equipment will be provided to you in addition.
Observe the Northern Lights
Who has never dreamed of being able to observe the Northern Lights with their own eyes? For me, this is one of the best activities to do in Quebec in winter. This sensational light show has been the subject of myths and legends for hundreds of years. Beliefs around these strange dances are different depending on the indigenous people and the geographical location. When some welcomed the auroras with open arms and saw in them positive signs; others feared them and associated the auroras with bad omens.
Today, science allows us to explain these amazing phenomena and to be able to admire them without fear.
If your travel goal is to see the Northern Lights, then you can plan a stay in northern Quebec in the middle of winter, where you will have the best chance of observing them. These natural phenomena cannot be controlled, but in winter you can see them all over the province, knowing that the further north you go, the more your chances increase. For a sensational show, you can go to the small village of Kuujjuaq in northern Quebec. Attention, upstream organization required and budget for the plane to be planned!
Take off in hydroski
I now offer you a more original activity that guarantees thrills for sure. Fly aboard a seaplane that has put on its skis and admire the exceptional view that this flight offers you. Breathtaking snowy landscapes and lasting memories.
Admire the seal pups on the pack ice
If you are a nature and animal lover, then this activity to do in winter in Quebec will charm you. It's about going to observe the whitecoats, which are none other than baby seals, on the ice floe. Indeed, for a short period, these babies are very easily observed in a very specific place in Quebec: the Magdalen Islands. The seals come to give birth here because this island has no predators, so the babies can stay quietly on the ice floe while the parents go fishing.
This experience can be lived over a short period between the end of February and mid-March. The logistics are a bit complex because you have to go to this archipelago by helicopter. But every year, many enthusiasts go there to meet these charming seal pups.
Sleep at the Quebec Ice Hotel
Among the most improbable activities to do in winter in Quebec, I recommend that you spend a night in the famous ice hotel located in Quebec. Indeed, you can book a room, entirely of crafted ice: from the walls to the bed, everything is made from large, individually sculpted blocks of ice. Each year, a new ice hotel is imagined and takes shape.
If you try a night in this hotel, be aware that the ice bed is even decorated with a real bed, a cozy pillow and you will also have a specific sarcophagus sleeping bag for such cold nights. Some rooms have a private spa outside. Otherwise, common spas are accessible. And if the night really is too rough for you, each room in this ice hotel has a room in the resort next door. This room will allow you to leave your belongings safe, to enjoy a bathroom and, if necessary, a bed.
For the less adventurous, this hotel can be visited: common rooms, bedroom and even bar, the ice hotel will no longer hold any secrets for you.
Open from early January to around mid-March, you can also enjoy the leisure center where this hotel is located. Tube descent, spa or indoor aquatic area will delight young and old alike.
Want to put your adventurous side to the test? Quickly book your night atQuebec ice hotel !
Go to Omega Park to observe the animals
Before finishing on these activities to do in winter in Quebec, here is one that will particularly appeal to families with children. Parc Oméga is a special place where you can admire animals roaming free from your car! Indeed, the occupants of this park live in huge enclosures and coexist as in the natural state. A road is laid out and allows you to cross the different habitats. Some specific species are in specific enclosures like the wolf or the bear.
This experience is to be done whether you are with children or not. Remember to buy a bag of carrots at the entrance, they are to be given to the most curious animals from your window.
You can easily book your access to Parc Oméga online. If you want to live an even stronger experience, then plan to spend a night in one of the cabins that allow you to see the wolves from your room! An exceptional sensation to experience at least once in your life.
Spend a night surrounded by nature
Let's conclude this list of activities to do in winter in Quebec with this unique experience to live in the heart of a forest: spend a night surrounded by nature, surrounded by snow. We personally tested it in the heart of Mont-Tremblant National Park. The little cabin we had for one night was in the middle of the forest, surrounded by snow and on the edge of a lake. Far from cities and busy roads, this little haven of peace was conducive to disconnection: no TV, no network. But to occupy our evenings, a wood stove, a magnificent starry sky and enough to heat up our meal. After a mild night, come the morning lights on the frozen and snowy lake. A breathtaking spectacle, lulled by the silence of the snow on the trees.
My opinion
This long article is coming to an end! I have tried to be as complete as possible in order to make you want to discover the activities to do in winter in Quebec. Personally, winter is the season when I prefer to visit Canada. Despite the cold and the snow, the atmosphere is friendly and very warm, with extremely welcoming Quebecers. These exceptional climatic conditions make it possible to do unique activities and in optimal conditions.
If you want to make the most of these activities and not be bothered by driving in winter, you can also opt for a multi-activity stay that takes place in a hotel establishment, called an outfitter, which offers a multitude of activities to do. on site for a week. An interesting alternative to enjoy these winter activities without constraints.
