For those who were unaware, visiting Quebec City during the winter months is a great idea; it’s a well-rounded snowy destination with beautiful scenery and exciting things to do. There is definitely something to satisfy every taste, whether it’s snow tubing, skiing, ice canoe racing (could this possibly be any more Canadian), taking part in the Carnaval de Québec celebrations, or taking romantic walks in the ancient town.
However, be advised that being charming is not appropriate at this moment, as freezing to death is anything not.
We’re going to make the most of winter Canada, so leave your light yet fashionable jacket at home and put on your long johns, puffy anorak, and tuque.
QUEBEC CITY IN THE WINTER Valcartier tubing and the ice hotel in Petit Champlain,
Old Quebec,
Chutes Montmorency Snowshoeing,
skiing and ice skating Québec Carnaval
Champlain Petit
The most well-known area in Quebec City’s Petit Champlain
Although Petit Champlain is undoubtedly one of Quebec City’s most charming neighborhoods all year long, when snow falls on its gables, it literally becomes a winter paradise.
Located in the shadow of the stately Château Frontenac, between the St Lawrence riverbank and the tall cliff of Upper Town, Petit Champlain may have the colony’s oldest buildings, but it wasn’t always the charming place it is today. Like other portside hamlets around the world, the area was once home to bandits, con artists, hustlers, and loose virtues.
The incredibly charming state of Petit Champlain, complete with designer stores, bistros, expansive patios, and small theaters, is the result of extensive urban planning.
Old Quebec
Jeff Frenette Photography took the picture.
The historic district of Quebec City, with its impressive facades and streets that date back 400 years, is just as beautiful as Petit-Champlain. I had these snowy, empty streets practically to myself, and even though my feet were wet and my fingers were far past the point of being chilly, I couldn’t bring myself to go.
And now that I’ve seen the outcomes, I’d say the nearly-frostbites were worthwhile.
For the typical urban Québécois, snow days mean quiet, empty city streets; a physical uphill battle against the crisp, slick snow; and a sense of peaceful seclusion that can only be obtained during snowy walks. Or Instawalks, as I like to refer to them.
Chutes Montmorency
The breathtaking Montmorency Falls, which are only a 15-minute drive from Quebec City, are truly breathtaking in the winter. At 84 meters high, they are the highest in the province of Quebec, a staggering 30 meters higher than the more famous Niagara Falls, but much narrower.
Admiring them partially frozen over in surreal shapes and in the most seemingly arbitrary way is truly quite a sight. The freezing spray from the gelid, tumbling water creates a mountain of ice at the base of the fall, which is actively visited by daring climbers because it can reach heights of up to an exhilarating thirty meters.
Since there are numerous vantage locations from which to observe the obstinate falls, I would advise staying in the park for at least two hours.
The base of the fall is situated immediately above the frozen lake, at the brink where the water crashes down. Despite its beauty, this location needs constant and intense attention.
The greatest approach to get a broad perspective of the park and the fall is by gondola. It’s also the warmest and most leisurely way to reach the top of the cliffs.
A picturesque 487-step staircase that runs along the cliffs’ edges
Suspension bridge: the eye-catching footbridge crosses the water directly on the water’s edge.
Ice Hotel in Quebec City and Valcartier Tubing
The stunning entryway of Quebec City’s Ice Hotel
When visiting Quebec City in the winter, it would be impossible to avoid making the extra trip to Valcartier, home to the iconic Quebec City Ice Hotel, one of Canada’s most well-known attractions.
Even though it is only open from early January to late March, depending on the weather, the temporary building is breathtaking in both beauty and design. Rebuilt and renovated each winter (since, as you are aware, Quebec’s summers are cold enough to support an ice hotel—quite the opposite, as Valcartier Park has a water parlor in the summer!).
I’ve been informed that staying overnight in one of the 45 distinctively designed rooms and suites is a really comfortable experience! High-performance sleeping bags and body warmth keep guests comfortable all night long.
It’s also feasible for people who just want to come and take in the amazing amenities. But whatever you do, don’t forget to follow the custom and order a cocktail in an ice-filled glass! In its eighteenth year of existence, the Hotel de Glace is a genuinely unique location that will leave both young and old in wonder.
For the majority of Québécois, Valcartier is the province’s best winter playground and the biggest in North America. I don’t want to disgrace myself any more than necessary, so tubing is my go-to winter pastime because I’m a bad skier. The brief but rapid journey down is still really thrilling even after 30 years.
For endless pleasure, Valcartier offers more than 35 slides, skating rinks, and snow rafting.
Snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating
There is lots to pick from when it comes to outdoor sports in Québec. Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, you name it!
Tour of Jacques-Cartier National Park with snowshoes
All-inclusive ski or snowboarding day excursion
Québec City’s top ice skating pathways and rinks
In Québec City, snowmobileing
This winter, fat biking in Quebec City
City of Quebec Ice fishing
Québec Carnaval
The Quebec City Winter Carnival, the world’s largest large-scale winter carnival and a yearly gathering place for many Canadians, is held annually from late January to mid-February since 1894 (!). The program is diverse and captivating, and frequently enhanced by winter sports inspired by the carnival’s French-Canadian roots, such as ice skating, canoe racing, night parade, ice sculptures, and more. Could this be any more Canadian? We Québécois have chosen to embrace and enjoy winter rather than hate it.
