The magic of a landscape blanketed with snow, the exciting outdoor experiences, and the unique cultural events of Quebec City during winter will amaze you. Here are one dozen things to do during winter in Quebec City.
One Dozen Things to do During Winter in Quebec City
Stroll Through the Winter Wonderland of Old Quebec
During the winter, Old Quebec City is like a fairytale village with lights, decorations, snow, and delicious smells that draw you into every shop. Meander through the streets of Old Quebec City and step into a winter wonderland.
Don’t miss Rue du Petit-Champlain.
At the foot of a cliff just below Château Frontenac, Rue du Petit‑Champlain is a narrow cobblestone street with colorful signs and quaint shops.
To get to Rue du Petit-Champlain, take the Breakneck Steps. This outdoor staircase, the oldest in Québec City, dates back to the beginning of the French colony. Many tourists take photographs at this location because it provides the most wonderful view of Rue du Petit-Champlain.
Rush Down a Toboggan Slide
Quebec City offers a fun toboggan slide right next to Château Frontenac that is perfect for kids young and old.
After buying a ticket on the Dufferin Terrace, visitors pull a wooden toboggan up the ramp, then settle onto it before the operator releases the latch, and the sled rushes down the icy track, reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometers an hour.
Don’t forget to take a picture at the top. It’s my favorite view in the entire city.
Place d’Youville
Via quebec-cite.comPlace d’Youville is the perfect place to experience outdoor skating in a picturesque setting.
Warm up with the warming stations and enjoy the magical lights and decorations in the streets of Quebec City. Skating is free and there is a rental shop if you don’t have your own skates.
Check Out the Hotel de Glace
Visiting the Hotel de Glace is a must, especially since it’s one of only a handful of ice hotels in the world, and the only ice hotel in North America.
The impressive hotel is completely rebuilt every year with a different theme. You can visit the hotel without staying or get more adventurous and book a room for the night. You can also get married in the chapel on site.
The hotel’s architecture is entirely built of snow and ice and it’s as magical as it sounds. There are cocktails served in a glass made of ice and there is a giant ice slide inside the hotel.
Channel Your Inner Child at Valcartier Winter Playground
Located about 20 minutes from Quebec City, Villages Vacances Valcartier is known as North America’s largest winter playground. It has snow slides, skating paths, snow rafting, a children’s playground, and mechanical lifts. And it’s home to the highest accelerating slide in North America, Everest!
The most unique area at Valcartier Winter Playground is the Tornado and Rafting area. On the Snow Raft, you speed down the slopes riding in one of their 12 passenger rafts, while the Tornado accommodates up to 8 people and is equipped with a special mechanism that makes it swirl.
Dogsled with Secrets Nordiques
Dogsledding in Quebec City seems to go hand-in-hand. You already have an unbelievable outdoor winter playground and a pack of 65 Nordic dogs await at Secrets Nordiques.
The only down side is that you’ll want to take all the dogs home with you, especially the adorable, mischievous puppies.
Swim in an Outdoor, Heated Pool at Valcartier Aroma Spa
Valcartier Aroma Spa has a thermal experience that promotes absolute relaxation and revives body and mind by alternating heat and cold. The Aroma Spa is perfectly equipped to give you the most complete thermal experience with steam and whirlpool baths, a Finnish sauna, 2 cold pools, an indoor-outdoor swimming pool and several areas dedicated exclusively to relaxation.
Splash Your Way to Fun at Bora Parc
Bora Parc has a 4,000 sq ft wave pool, more than 14 slides, a family pool, a river, a double surf wave, and a restaurant-terrace.
Bora Parc is open to the public even if you don’t stay at the hotel.
Our favorite family experience in Bora Parc was the river. The temperature was comfortable and there were unique surprises around every corner.
Head to Montmorency Falls Park
Open year-round, Montmorency Falls Park is a splendid winter landscape. The waterfall is 272 feet tall and you can take a cable car up the cliff to the top of it. Following the footpath along the top of the cliff, you can walk to the suspended bridge, giving you panoramic vistas of the area. Additionally, you can walk to the base of the falls and stand before it’s towering beauty.
Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier
Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, considered a natural historical monument, is in one of Québec’s most beautiful glacial valleys. It has a surface area of 670 sq. km and is crisscrossed by over 100 km of hiking trails. Located 30 minutes from Old Québec, the park is one of the region’s major attractions.
In the winter, there are so many ways to have fun at Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier. You can find snowshoeing, hiking, Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, wilderness skiing, kicksledding, and fatbiking.
Onhwa’ Lumina
Via quebec-cite.com
Produced in collaboration with the internationally renowned Québec firm Moment Factory, Onhwa’ Lumina is the only immersive multimedia experience of its kind to be open in winter in Québec. With a length of 1.2 km, it transports visitors to a magical world combining nature and technology with, as a backdrop, the rich history of the Huron-Wendat Nation.
Québec Winter Carnival
Although Québec Winter Carnival isn’t available all winter, it is one of the most amazing things to do in Quebec City when it’s happening. From February 4-13th, you can enjoy one of the world’s largest winter carnivals.
Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Québec to enjoy a host of activities for all ages including snow sculptures, musical performances as well as the entertainment at the famous Bonhomme’s Ice Palace.
