Winter Activities in Quebec City

Winter activities in Quebec City are a great way to experience the city, and its culture. It’s a beautiful time of year, when Old Quebec looks like a holiday card, and ice skating or cross-country skiing are perfect cardio workouts. There is more to do than sports, of course. Here are 15 Quebec activities in winter!

Go to Carnaval de Québec

Come celebrate 70 years of winter fun with Bonhomme in one of the oldest cities in Canada. Enjoy Québec’s winter wonderland vibes with outdoor concerts, food trucks, tubing, ice canoe races, and Bonhomme’s ice palace.

When you need to warm up, sit around an outdoor fireplace and enjoy some chocolat chaud, hot mulled wine, or Caribou (fortified wine mixed with whiskey and spices). Learn more here.

Fly Down the Dufferin Slide

The Dufferin Slide is one of Quebec City’s oldest tourist attractions. Erected mid-December on Dufferin Terrace, it is the ultimate sledding experience.

Buy tickets from Au 1884 (4 tickets for 12 CAD), walk to the top of the slide, and take in the gorgeous winter views as you whoosh down. You can reach speeds up to 70 km/hr, making this a truly breathtaking outdoor activity.

Sleep on Ice at Hôtel de Glace, of Visit Quebec’s Ice Hotel

Erected every January, the Ice Hotel is one of the most popular winter activities in Quebec City. Just 20 minutes from Old Quebec, the Ice Hotel is made entirely of ice – no wood frames underneath!

Visit the chapel, a go-to destination for winter weddings, and grab a drink at an ice bar. See the rooms and admire the ice carvings and sculptures. Get your ticket here. The hotel is open to the public until 8 pm, then it’s overnight guests only.

Read about my frosty experience at the Ice Hotel here!

Go Snow Tubing

When you’ve finished exploring the Hôtel de Glace, stick around and spend a couple of hours bouncing and sliding down the snowy hills at Village Vacances Valcartier. There are 5 runs to enjoy, including one for snow rafting!

When you need a break, head inside to warm up and grab a bite at one of the restaurants. There is also an indoor water park.

Take a Walking Tour of Old Quebec

One of the best ways to kick off your time in Quebec City is to take a walking tour with a local guide. Tours are usually 2 hours long and include visitors to important historical sites, as well as personal insights and tips from guides. There is an excellent FREE walking tour, and the costumed guides on this walking tour are excellent.

Go on a Fat Biking Tour

Bundle up and explore Quebec City on an electric fat bike. It’s a great tour for beginners. Meet in Old Port and learn the ins and outs of fat biking. Hit the trails at Maizerets Domain and Parc linéaire de la Rivière Saint-Charles.

This activity includes 45-60 minutes of biking once the basics are covered. This biking tour in Old Quebec is excellent as well.

You could also simply rent a fat bike on your own and explore.

Snowshoe in Jacques-Cartier National Park

Hop on the shuttle to Jacques-Cartier National Park for a half day or day of snowshoeing. Rent snowshoes for 18.75 CAD per day, and the park has over 80 km of trails to enjoy. Alternatively, there is also a half-day snowshoe tour which includes lunch and a hot drink.

Try Ice Canoeing

By mid-January the Saint-Lawrence River is filled with ice floe, making it the perfect time to go ice canoeing. Not for the faint of heart, this Quebec winter activity involves canoeing across the river, stepping on moving ice floes, and staying above the water line.

It’s equal parts exhausting and rewarding. This three-hour tour includes everything you’ll need, including a hot beverage!

Cross-country Ski in the City

The Plains of Abraham is a go-to spot in Quebec City for cross-country skiing. Locals hit the trail near the Musée national des beaux-arts de Québec and glide through the trees. Ski rentals are available at the skater’s chalet.

Jacques-Cartier National Park is another spectacular place for cross-country skiing.

Go Ice Skating in the Moonlight

Strap on a pair of skates and glide on the ice with the fortification walls of Old Quebec looking in the background. Place D’Youville has been a gathering place for centuries, and in winter the skating rink is favourite with both locals and tourists.

The first Friday of the month is disco night and December 24th Santa skates as well. Ice skate rentals are 10 CAD.

Visit the Aquarium de Québec

Wander through the Deep Sea Pavillion, and see the polar bears, arctic foxes, and seals. Aquarium de Québec is fun for everyone.

EAU’DORAT is a new feature, allowing guests to experience water sniffing; discover the smells of the Saint-Lawrence River, the odours of sharks and polar bears, too. Admission is 22.50 CAD.

Go to Montmorency Falls

In winter, snow and ice gather around Montmorency Falls creating a magical landscape. Taller than Niagara Falls by 30m, this is a beautiful spot to snap some photos, do a little snowshoeing or ice climbing.

When you want to warm up, head to the Manoir for something hot to drink. The cable car is open during the winter holiday season.

Experience Dog Sledding in the Countryside

There are a handful of places offering dog sledding adventures in the Quebec countryside. Bookings begin in mid-December and run until late-March, depending on the weather.

Secrets Nordiques is a good choice. Choose to drive your own team or bundle up in a sled while a guide drives the dogs. Either way it’s 2 hours of beautiful unforgettable scenery.

Soak at a Nordic Spa

Quebec, with its crisp winter air and snowy winter landscapes, is one of the best places for a Nordic spa experience. Start by lounging in a sauna or soaking in a hot tub or heated pool.

Then hop into an icy shower or plunge pool, followed by some relaxation. It’s a wonderful way to relax and reset, and you can repeat the process as much as you like. Yay!

Go on a Food Tour in Old Quebec

What could be better than walking around a winter wonderland and eating delicious Quebec food? Okay, there are a few things, but this is pretty close to the top of the winter activities in Quebec City list.

The Old Quebec City Food & Drink tour winds through the old city, interlacing history and scrumptious tasting menus. Get a feel for the city’s vibrant food scene, then explore on your own afterwards.

There are a lot of things to do in Quebec City in winter, from sports and walking tours to spas, museums, and festivals. There is something for everyone. Be sure to dress warmly, and in layers so you don’t get too hot and end up freezing. Most of all, embrace the city’s warmth and joy and beauty.

Here are some other suggestions of things to do in Quebec City depending on when you’re going:

• One Day in Quebec City: the Perfect Daytrip
• The Perfect Romantic Getaway in Quebec City: Original Ideas for an Unforgettable Weekend
• Well-Kept Secrets: 5 Best Photo Spots in Quebec City
• Best Nordic Spas in Quebec City: Which to Visit?
• 2 Days in Quebec City Itinerary: a Perfect Weekend Getaway
• 5 Best Quebec City Escape Rooms and Games
• Quebec Christmas Market Galore: A Complete Holidays Guide
• Where to Enjoy a Christmas Dinner in Quebec City

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