The best things to do in Quebec in winter
Quebec is one of the world's most popular winter destinations, and that's no accident. Between its breathtaking snow-covered landscapes and the diversity of its winter sports, travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding things to do in Quebec in winter.
Winter in Quebec is a magical time of year, when the landscape is covered in a blanket of white, creating a magical atmosphere that attracts nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike. Snow covers the forests, and lakes and rivers freeze over. You'll find plenty of winter activities to try in Quebec: from traditional activities such as dog-sledding to the most original such as snowtubing or ice canoeing, you'll find experiences to suit your tastes and your level.
We invite you to discover the best winter activities to make the most of the winter season in the province of Quebec. Get ready to bundle up in your warmest clothes for an adventure of a lifetime.
Whether you're a fan of extreme adventures or prefer more leisurely pursuits, you're bound to find something to suit you. Here's an overview of the best things to do in Quebec in winter!
1. The sled dog
One of the most iconic activities to do in Quebec in winter is undoubtedly dog sledding. This experience lets you discover the vast snow-covered expanses of Quebec while being pulled by a team of dogs.
More than just a pastime, this activity brings you into contact with Quebec's wilderness. You'll have the chance to learn how to steer your dog team and enjoy the winter scenery in a peaceful, silent setting, punctuated only by the sound of the dogs and the crunch of snow under the sled's runners.
One of the best places to enjoy the best conditions and magnificent scenery on a dog-sledding adventure is the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Enjoy a dog sled ride on the Saguenay Fjord, where you'll have the chance to drive the team yourself for a few moments. Choose the length of your excursion to suit you, with the option of a 1 to 2-hour ride.
If you're close to Montreal, take a dog-sledding tour in Saint-Hippolyte and discover Quebec's snow-covered natural landscapes beside Lake Morency. The best spots include regions such as Charlevoix, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and the Quebec City area.
Excursions can last from a few hours to several days, offering options to suit all levels of adventurer for an enjoyable time in the heart of Quebec's nature. Want to find out more about sled dog activities? Check out our previous article on the best destinations for dog sledding in Quebec or discover all our sled dog activities in the province of Quebec.
2. Snowmobiles
Another must-do outdoor activity in Quebec in winter: snowmobiling. Quebec is one of the best equipped destinations for snowmobiling in the best conditions.
Quebec is one of the best-developed regions in the world for snowmobiling, with over 33,000 km of marked trails. Gliding at top speed through snow-covered forests and across frozen landscapes gives you an incomparable feeling of freedom. Whether you're a novice or an expert, it's easy to find guided excursions to suit all levels.
Near Mont-Tremblant, Outdoor Logisitk welcomes you to discover snowmobiling or to take you on a snowmobile ride in the Laurentians for a 2 to 6 hour excursion to discover Quebec's nature. This outing on the slopes will allow you to enjoy the whole family, with an activity accessible from the age of 6!
This is one of the best activities to enjoy with a loved one, as you can be up to two on one machine. You'll be able to reach speeds of between 20 and 60 km/h, so you'll have plenty of thrills and be able to take in the exceptional panoramic views of Quebec.
Staying in another town in the region? Discover all our snowmobile excursions in Quebec located near Tadoussac, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean or Charlevoix. Would you like to find out all the important information about snowmobiling in Canada? Take a look at our complete guide to snowmobiling in Quebec!
3. The racket
If you're looking for an activity to do in Quebec in winter that's more leisurely and at your own pace, snowshoe trekking is ideal. It's easy to do, and lets you venture out on snow-covered trails in the heart of the forest while admiring the beauty of the scenery.
You can choose to go snowshoeing in almost every region of Quebec. National parks are great places to explore, with marked trails suitable for all levels. What's more, snowshoeing is an activity that doesn't require you to be in great physical condition, and very often the pace of the hike is adapted to the participants.
Snowshoe through one of the most beautiful national parks in the province of Quebec on a superb snowshoe hike in Mont-Tremblant National Park. 25 kilometres of trails await you! Between forests, waterfalls and natural landscapes, you'll enjoy magnificent views of the Parc national du Mont-Tremblant.
Are you in the Quebec City area? Then be sure to visit the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier! Quatre Natures accompanies you from Quebec City for a snowshoeing excursion in the Jacques-Cartier national park for a unique and relaxing winter adventure to discover exceptional Quebec landscapes.
4. Fatbike
For those looking for a bit of originality in their choice of activities to do in Quebec in winter, the fatbike, or bike with oversized tyres, is an excellent option. Thanks to its stability and wide tyres, it's easy to ride on snow.
The fatbike lets you explore snow-covered trails with more speed and freedom than on foot or with snowshoes. It's an ideal activity for the whole family, just like a classic bike ride on snow.
Hire or take a guided tour, choose the fatbike experience in Quebec that's right for you. Want to explore downtown Quebec City, explore the great national parks or simply hire your fatbike for an adventure in Montreal, the Laurentians or the heart of Quebec's forests? Don't wait to discover fat biking in winter in the Quebec City region, and enjoy the region's snow-covered trails and incredible natural scenery.
5. The ice canoe
Ice canoeing is without doubt one of the most unique and original winter experiences in Quebec. This activity is most often practised on the St. Lawrence River, between its small islands.
Historically used as a means of transport, ice canoeing has become a very popular extreme sport. It's a physically demanding activity, but it allows you to discover the river from a completely different angle. The more adventurous can try this experience in Quebec, often in the company of a team of experienced canoeists.
Come and discover ice canoeing in Quebec on the St. Lawrence, a unique and original sport. There will be 5 of you in the canoe, and after a few explanations from the team, you'll paddle when the river is still wet to make your way across the frozen lake. But when the lake starts to freeze over, you'll use your crampons to make your way across and keep the canoe moving.
You'll enjoy a refreshing and sporty adventure, with incredible views of Quebec City, the icy water and even a magnificent sunset if you choose to do this Quebec winter experience at dusk.
6. Winter via ferrata
Via ferrata, a combination of hiking and climbing, is another winter activity worth exploring in Quebec. Although often associated with summer, some via ferrata are also open in winter.
Equipped with a harness and crampons to prevent you from slipping, you'll climb secure rock faces surrounded by snowy landscapes. The sensations are unique and the snow adds an extra challenge to this vertical adventure. It's the perfect activity for adventurers looking for a thrill.
The winter via ferrata on Mont Catherine in the Laurentians is one of the best winter via ferrata in Quebec. At a height of 60 metres, you'll set off along a route featuring all the obstacles you'd expect to find on a via ferrata.
The via de Charlevoix is also one of the best winter routes in the region. This winter via ferrata is more difficult but still accessible, with an average 2h30 of adventure. On the wall of the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, you'll set off on a 500-metre course dotted with obstacles, including a monkey bridge and a zip line. You'll enjoy extraordinary panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River!
Winter via ferrata is undoubtedly a not-to-be-missed winter activity in Quebec for thrill-seekers.
7. Tyrolean traverse
Fancy flying over the winter landscapes of Quebec? Try your hand at a zip-line descent in Quebec. Very popular in summer, some zip lines are open all year round so you can enjoy the thrills and spills of sliding through snow-covered landscapes.
Near Mont-Tremblant, in the Laurentians, you'll find one of the best-known winter zip lines. Gliding over snow-covered forests as you zip-line down Mont-Catherine is an experience not to be missed.
Before enjoying the joys of a zip-line experience, start your adventure with a hike of just over 1 kilometre through the forest. Once you've reached the top, equip yourself to descend the 2 zip lines over 100 metres high! As you soar through the air, you'll feel like you're flying over a picture-postcard landscape. The panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the Quebec countryside are breathtaking. The feeling of freedom you get above the snow-covered trees is incomparable, and it's a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Quebec's winter landscapes.
In Quebec City, in the Laurentians or on the Saguenay Fjord, you'll find a wide range of zip-line experiences over incredible landscapes. Come and discover all our zip lines in the province of Quebec.
8. Ice climbing
For those looking for an even more intense challenge, ice climbing is the adventure for you! Climbing frozen waterfalls with ice axes, ropes and crampons provides a thrilling experience and lets you explore places that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Ice climbing is a unique and exhilarating winter activity, combining climbing and mountaineering in a thrilling adventure. Get ready to challenge the verticality of ice cascades and waterfalls.
Quebec has an abundance of ice climbing sites, and experienced guides are available to accompany beginners and more experienced climbers alike. Discoverice climbing right in the heart of Montreal, where you can try your hand at this amazing discipline on a semi-artificial icefall. On Île Sainte-Hélène, climb the 8 to 12 metre high icefalls accompanied by an instructor who will teach you belay techniques, basic descents and how to get around on the ice!
If you're staying near Quebec City, come and try your hand atice climbing at Saint-Alban, just an hour from the city. On the banks of the Rivière Sainte-Anne, come and climb a superb ice waterfall, accompanied by a qualified instructor, during a 3-hour activity. You can climb the Saint-Alban icefalls as many times as you like.
Find out about all the ice climbing activities in the Quebec City region and get an introduction to the discipline with professionals who are passionate about it.
9. Winter experiences
Quebec also offers a range of winter experiences for those looking for quieter, more family-oriented activities that are just as unforgettable.
Winter camping in Saguenay, for example, is an extraordinary way to reconnect with nature, sleeping in a tent in a snowy setting. In the heart of an exceptional site between the Saguenay Fjord and Quebec's mountains
Snow buoying is fun and accessible to everyone, even the youngest children aged 2 and over. It's the perfect activity for a family outing. Take to the slopes at Mont-Tremblant's snowtubing park with your family or friends for 2 to 4 hours.
Many outdoor centres also offer experiences such as winter paintball, igloo building, ice fishing and horse-drawn carriage rides through Quebec's snowy winter landscape. Discover all the winter experiences we offer in the province of Quebec.
Quebec is full of things to do in winter, from thrilling activities to more contemplative moments in nature. Whatever your level of experience or preference, the diversity of winter activities on offer in this region guarantees a memorable experience for all. Whether you fancy a dog-sleigh ride, a snowmobile tour or an icy climb, Quebec has something to offer every adventure enthusiast.
Quebec is renowned for its winter activities, but did you know that it's also an exceptional destination in summer, with plenty of outdoor activities on the trails, roads and even on the water? To find out about the best things to do in Quebec in summer, take a look at our previous article: How to spend a summer in Quebec.