In Québec, winter isn’t just about staying warm: the snowy season invites delight at every turn. Each year, travellers and locals alike are invited to embrace the season and embark on a journey of wellness and adventure.
Explorers find their footing on ice-skating trails that weave through the boreal forest or forge their own paths to the peaks of snow-capped mountains. Frozen waterfalls are conquered with ice-picks, and hidden gems traversed by snow-shoe. In Charlevoix, visitors can fulfill their lifelong winter wish lists with memorable experiences such as taking a luge down Le Massif’s 7.5 kilometre sledding run and authentic dog-sledding with eager husky pups. Adrenaline can also be found on any number of ski slopes throughout the province, but the adventure peaks after dark: Québec is a world-leader in night skiing, with plenty of ski resorts housing hundreds of illuminated runs.
As the snow settles across the province, Québec elevates the après-ski experience with warm drinks on the Laurentian Mountain tops and dozens of outdoor thermal spas dedicated to rest and recovery. Cold plunges await in natural lakes, with saunas ready to take away the winter chill. Québec spas range from traditional to experiential, with services such as chocolate body wraps and maple syrup exfoliants waiting to be discovered and indulged. And as serenity takes hold, excitement peeks around the corner, with frequent festivals that find warmth in the winter air.
Since its roots in 1894, Carnaval de Québec returns each year to greet the winter with open arms. As per tradition, the carnival consistently features an ice canoe race, enchanting parades and a striking ice palace. Families and friends gather to enjoy tubing and slides, open-air ice bars, and a comforting Caribou – a traditional French-Canadian spiced drink that warms the soul. The festivals continue with Igloofest, an electronic music festival that takes place in Québec City, Montreal and Gatineau each year. The season’s frost is nowhere to be found at Igloofest, with trendy snowsuits and movement commanding the dance-floor.
Québec does not wait until the spring for joy to thaw. Joy is in every hydrotherapy pool bordered by snow, on every skating rink, and at the table of each of the 13 Michelin star restaurants. The winter season lifts spirits, melts tension and evokes wonder. No hibernation necessary: Québec dazzles all winter long.
