The best things to do in Quebec in winter
Quebec is one of the world's most popular winter destinations. With its breathtaking snow-covered landscapes and diverse range of activities, travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding winter activities to do in Quebec.
Winter in Quebec is a magical time of year, when the landscape is transformed into a blanket of white, creating a magical atmosphere that attracts lovers of nature and adventure. You'll find plenty of winter activities to try in Quebec: from traditional activities like dog-sledding to more original ones like snowtubing or ice canoeing.
We invite you to discover the best activities for making 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 quieter activities, you're bound to find something to suit you. Here's a look at the best things to do in Quebec in winter!
1. The sled dog
One of the most emblematic 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.
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 by the sound of the dogs and the crunch of the snow under the sled's runners.
One of the best spots for a dog-sledding adventure is the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Enjoy the magnificent scenery on a dog sled ride on the Saguenay Fjord, where you'll have the chance to drive the team yourself for a few moments. You can choose between a 1 or 2-hour excursion, as you wish.
If you're near Montreal, book a dog-sledding trip to Saint-Hippolyte and discover Quebec's natural snow-covered landscapes beside Lake Morency.
Excursions can last from a few hours to several days, offering options for all levels of experience in the heart of Quebec's nature. Want to find out more about dog sledding? 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 is snowmobiling.
Quebec is one of the best-developed regions in the world for snowmobiling, with over 33,000 km of marked trails. Speeding 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 takes you on a 2 to 6 hour snowmobile tour of the Laurentians to discover Quebec's natural beauty. This outing on the slopes is suitable for children aged 6 and over!
There can be up to two of you on each machine, and you can reach speeds of between 20 and 60 km/h, giving you plenty of thrills as you take in the exceptional panoramic views of Quebec.
Are you staying in another town in the region? Discover all our snowmobile excursions in Quebec , especially 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 a more leisurely winter activity in Quebec that you can do at your own pace, snowshoe trekking is ideal. It's easy to do, and lets you venture out onto snow-covered trails in the heart of the forest while admiring the beauty of the scenery.
You can go snowshoeing in almost every region of Quebec.
Snowshoe through one of the most beautiful national parks in the province of Quebec on a superb snowshoe hike in the Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. 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.
A 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.
Hire or take a guided tour, choose the fatbike experience in Quebec that's right for you. Would you like 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 snowy 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 unprecedented sport. The aim is to canoe through the ice.
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, although often associated with summer, is also available in winter in Quebec.
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 descent, 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.
In Quebec City, the Laurentians and the Saguenay Fjord, you'll find a whole host of zip-line experiences.
8. Ice climbing
For those looking for an even more intense challenge, ice climbing is the ideal adventure! Climb frozen waterfalls with ice axes, ropes and crampons for maximum thrills while exploring otherwise inaccessible places.
Ice climbing is a unique and exhilarating winter activity, combining climbing and mountaineering. 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. Discover all the winter experiences in the province of Quebec that we offer.
Quebec is full of things to do in winter, from sensational 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-sled ride, a snowmobile tour or an icy climb, Quebec has something to offer every adventure enthusiast.
Quebec is well known for its winter activities, but did you know that it's also an exceptional destination in summer, with plenty of outdoor activities? 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.