Winter Reimagined!

Fun-filled Adventures in Outaouais, Quebec

Snow lovers, get ready! 

It’s almost time to layer on the cold weather gear and get outside in the fresh and frosty air. For a fun-filled winter getaway, Quebec’s Outaouais region has everything you need for snowy adventures and cozy evenings. 

Located in the southwestern part of Quebec, roughly five hours by car from the GTA and right next door to Ottawa, the Outaouais is close enough for a long weekend, while still feeling a world away from home. For those who would rather leave the driving to someone else, flying is also an option. And the train is always fun!

Any way you choose to travel, you’ll be greeted by unforgettable scenery and abundant opportunities for adventure and outdoor fun. The Outaouais region is known for its beauty in every season, but winter offers something truly special. 

A Winter Playground

One of the best things about discovering winter in the Outaouais is that there are so many ways to enjoy it. For a day to remember, check out the Air-Eau-Bois Outdoor Centre, where your time can be spent soaking up the breathtaking surroundings while skating on the outdoor rink, sliding down the tube hill or snowshoeing. You can even rent some hok skis (a mix of snowshoes and skis) to help you explore the trails. If you want to venture further off the beaten path, the area also offers off-piste skiing. You can even take it to the next level with a winter camping experience. 

Tubing fans will want to add a visit to Domaine de l’Ange-Gardien, a family-friendly, illuminated slope. Featuring a lift and eight different slides, it’s sure to bring hours of fun. When it’s time for a break, you can tour the area on a horse-drawn sleigh ride or take a walk on the beautiful trails, while sipping a warm drink from the on-site chalet and eatery. 

For a taste of nature not far from the city, the 213-hectare Parc du Lac-Beauchamp Outdoor Centre in the heart of Gatineau is the perfect setting to unwind with your loved ones, as you explore 15 km of trails and admire the picture-perfect scenery. 

If fatbiking sounds like an exciting way to wind your way through the snow-covered trails, Le Harfang is the place for you. Here, you can rent bikes for the whole family and spend a day racing through the wilderness. Just make sure you slow down once in a while to take in the magnificent views!

Fun on the Slopes

Of course, opportunities to enjoy a beloved outdoor classic are also plentiful. The Outaouais is home to four ski resorts, each offering its own take on the downhill experience. Edelweiss is geared toward families, with terrain for different skill levels, making it an ideal choice for beginners and more experienced skiers and snowboarders. If you’re more of a thrill seeker, they’ve got you covered too, with a freestyle park where you can let your spirit soar.

Mont Cascades offers another welcoming, family-oriented mountain experience. Featuring 21 ski trails, the resort has opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. With six lifts and a 500-foot magic carpet (the longest in the region!), you can ski your day away, while immersing yourself in the stunning mountain landscape. 

Within the natural setting of Gatineau Park, just 15 minutes from downtown Gatineau and Ottawa, Camp Fortune invites you to enjoy a day of skiing and snowboarding on some of the best hills in the region. Built for all skill levels and equipped with a snowmaking system, Camp Fortune promises fun on the slopes no matter the weather.

Centre Vorlage in the charming village of Wakefield is sure to delight with its ski hill designed for families and skiers of varying abilities. After a day in the snow, spend some time exploring the village or grab a bite to eat at Le Hub Bistro, right on site. 

Try Something New

If you want to try something a little less traditional, the Outaouais has plenty of ways to push you outside of your comfort zone. When it comes to recreation, most of us don’t think of water in the winter, but instead of packing away the paddleboard when temperatures drop, take the SUP Ice Tour, where Échappée Bleue gives the sport a cold weather twist. It is sure to be unforgettable. 

Aventure Outaouais’s guided adventures are another one-of-a-kind way to experience the season. Instead of daytime snowshoeing, visitors can book a starlit snowshoe tour through Gatineau Park. The round-trip journey includes a warm and delicious dinner in a rustic cabin, letting you rest and recharge at the halfway point. What a peaceful and memorable way to spend an evening. 

For something extraordinary, let Meute Tanwen give you the winter tour of a lifetime, as you see the rich forests of the Petite Nation from behind a team of dogs. Even better, you’ll be the driver of your own four-dog crew. It might test your limits, but it’s guaranteed to be exciting. Horseback riding is another family-friendly way to spend quality time together and do something out of the ordinary. As the largest horse farm in Eastern Canada, Captiva Ranch has 40 kilometres of equestrian trails winding through more than 450 acres of scenic countryside. With guided rides for varying ages and skill levels, families can saddle up, explore the wooded trails and enjoy a relaxing day in the great outdoors.

Welcome to Winter

The Outaouais has no shortage of wide-open spaces and natural areas, each providing endless opportunities for recreation and fun, especially in the winter months. Gatineau Park, with more than 200 kilometres of trails, becomes a hub of activity when the snow arrives. Visitors can explore its extensive trail network, with routes ranging from very easy to very difficult. Relais plein air inside Gatineau Park is a great spot for equipment rentals and fatbiking, making it simple to get outside and enjoy the scenery. For families, that means flexibility and plenty of ways to explore the outdoors in one location. Its proximity to the city only adds to the appeal.

Parc régional de Champboisé is another gem, with 165 acres of natural wonder along the banks of the Lièvre River. From torchlit snowshoeing to stargazing evenings, there is always something interesting happening throughout the season. For the road trip adventurer, Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon combines the beauty of the winter landscape with rustic wilderness cabins, creating an inviting setting for a peaceful overnight escape. For an added adrenaline rush, try their family-friendly tubing runs and Austrian sleds.

Stay Awhile

Is there anything better than cozying up somewhere warm after a fun winter’s day in the snow? When it comes to accommodations, the Outaouais has you covered. Camping CarpeDiem’s #627638 micro-cabins will keep you close to nature, providing a welcoming winter escape. During the day, you can explore the picturesque shores of Lake Edja, or hike through the acres of mountainous terrain, settling in for a peaceful sleep to the comforting sounds of the surrounding wilderness. 

The dome accommodations at Hillhaus Dômes Pontiac #627884 give new meaning to the term “a room with a view.” Located on the edge of a hill overlooking a private lake, each dome is equipped with a heater and a woodstove, perfect for those chilly nights. For a different kind of glamping experience, Borefüge #627643 offers you the chance to stay in a secluded yurt. With room for 4 adults, these accommodations are ideal for families looking for something unique. 

Then there is Parc Oméga, a family favourite that can turn an overnight stay into an excursion. As you drive along more than 12 kilometers of trails, you will be entertained by the various animal species living in enclosures that resemble their natural habitats. Make sure you bring some carrots to feed the deer as they poke their heads through your car window! For some extra fun, you can take a guided tour, learning about the park and the animals that live there. Make the trip even more memorable by staying in an unusual accommodation #627542, #193410 next to the bears, wolves and deer.

A Vacation Close to Home

With so many possibilities, planning a winter trip to the Outaouais is easy. For Ontario visitors, the region is close and convenient to reach, yet it offers a refreshing change of pace that can make a short getaway feel like a true vacation. The area is also comfortably bilingual, so English speaking visitors can easily navigate their way around while discovering Quebec’s friendly hospitality and scenic beauty.

One of the best things about a winter holiday in the Outaouais is how effortlessly enjoyable it can be. Many of the region’s natural attractions are within easy reach of Gatineau and Ottawa, making it possible to enjoy the peaceful natural setting without travelling far from the comforts of the city. From snow-covered forests and frozen lakes to mountainous landscapes and winding trails, winter gives the Outaouais a look of enchantment. Even travelling between destinations becomes part of the experience, with plenty of opportunities to stop, stretch your legs and take in the surroundings.

For families looking for an action packed few days or some quiet time in a beautiful setting, there are plenty of ways to make it happen. Plan ahead and fill your schedule but maybe leave room to discover something surprising along the way. That is the beauty of a family winter getaway in the Outaouais. Everyone will find something they enjoy, from first-time skiers and little adventurers to parents looking for a chance to slow down and enjoy the season. With so much to see and do, the hardest part might actually be deciding what to discover first!

For help planning your sensational Outaouais itinerary, visit outaouaistourism.com