Québec Winter Itinerary
Last winter we went to Québec and had such a great time we had to go back! You can watch a recap video of that trip here. It is a winter wonderland and the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. There is so much do see and do, if you haven’t been- add it to your list! We spent the first half in the Eastern Townships and then a short (less than 3 hr) drive over to Québec City where we spent the last half. So I will divide the itinerary into those two parts. It’s the perfect mix of nature/adventure and historical/city activities.
Part 1: The Eastern Townships Region
The Eastern Townships are a short drive across the border and are more than worth it! There are 4 National Parks, all the delicious pastries, more than 800 miles of hiking trails (275 trails available in the winter), and so many fun activities for the whole family! It has it ALL! If you’re coming from the States & don’t speak French, don’t worry it is super is to navigate.
Where to Stay:
I am still dreaming of staying at Mi Clos Orford . It was so peaceful and relaxing. It felt like you were connected with nature with the beautiful views but have all the luxuries you could want like a clean comfortable bed, heated floors, nice bathroom, & a private spa and sauna on the deck. There is also a full kitchen which is so helpful when traveling with kids! We’ve stayed here twice and both times it was amazing! It is also just a few minutes drive away from the National Park, skiing, and so many activities which makes it very convenient.
Things to Do:
SKIING! There are 4 great ski resorts in the region and you can ski them all for discounted rates with the L’EST GO ski card. We were able to try out 2 of the 4 this trip and they were both great! Bromont is the largest illuminated resort in North America, and the spot to go for night skiing! Mont Orford is the highest skiable peak in the region and the views do not disappoint.
Hike at Mont Bellevue . We did a child-friendly 5.6 km loop tot the top where we had beautiful views! There is also skiing here, both downhill and cross country trails!
Visit the interpretation center and take a walk at Marais de la Rivière-aux-cerises along the marsh. Stroller friendly!
Explore the trails at the National Park of Mont Orford. This was a highlight of the trip, SO BEAUTIFUL! I want to come back and hike/ski into some of the cabins you can stay at. So much cross country skiing and snowshoeing here but would be amazing any time of year. The visitors center offers equipment rentals.
Relax in the private hot tub or sauna at Mi Clos.
See the shops of downtown Magog.
Rock climb at DVert. I’ve been to many climbing gyms in my days and this one is great. They have lots of auto belays which is great if you’re new to climbing or traveling solo with kids like me because all my kids could climb at the same time so I didn’t have to listen to fighting over who’s turn its was. This is a great spot to warm up if the weather isn’t great.
Learn & gaze at the stars at the Mont Mégantic Astro Lab . This is a dark sky reserve and has so many cool offerings, educational programs and is Canada’s leading centre of astronomy and astrophysics. The short movie we watched about the dark sky and universe was mind blowing (it even held my 2yr olds attention)!
Go hiking at Parc National du Mont Mégantic. This park also offers so many opportunities for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. If you’re feeling adventurous head to a peak and enjoy the views!
There is SO MUCH to do in the Eastern Townships, it really has it all! I have also been here in the summer and had an absolute blast. Other noteworthy things we didn’t get a chance to do this trip include things like a Cheesemakers Circuit, Granby Zoo, some 30 wineries & microbreweries, nordic spas, 35 golf courses, mountain biking, festivals, and more!
Part 2: Old Town Québec City
Old Town Québec City is such a charming little place. The cobble stone streets and old brick buildings makes it feel like you’re in Europe. Winter is an especially fun time to go because of all the festivals and events they have going on. We went for the German Christmas Markets, but I would love to go for the ice festival to see the Ice Hotel (it’s made all out of ice!).
Where to Stay:
Last year we rented an Airbnb within walking distance of Old Town & the markets. This was super nice to not have to deal with parking. This year we opted for a place a little further outside of downtown because it had a hot tub. It was really nice to relax in a hottub after walking around in the cold all day. Street parking is VERY limited but there are plenty of paid lots.
What to do:
German Christmas Markets - (Nov/December) Usually runs Thursdays-Sundays end of November through December. It is so festive and fun and offers lots of fun activities. Our favorite activities are meeting Santa, the puppet show, concert, circus preformace, and the Krampus parade. If you’re going to attend visit the website for a full list of the events and where each thing is happening. There is also an app that was helpful to plan but I would screenshot it because it never worked for me during the actual happenings (I think too many people were trying to use it at the same time). There is also of course all the cute old fashioned market booths to shop and lots of tasty food! Highly recommend the fondue loaf and the maple taffy (tire sur la neige).
Quebec Winter Carnival - (February) This is one of the largest winter carnivals in the world! There is a host of activities for all ages including, ice sculptures, night parades, ice canoe races, musical performances and Bonhomme's famous Ice Palace and more!
Toboggan Slide - The famous Quebec toboggan has been around since 1884! Don’t miss it! Tickets are cheap and it is so fun. You get going surprisingly fast and it was way funner than I expected. I would recommend buying tickets online to save time. There will likely be a line as it’s a popular attraction but it moves relatively fast. There isn’t a height limit so our toddler was able to ride too.
Ice Skate at D'Youville- There are tons of ice rinks in the area but D’Youville is a vibe & one of the most beautiful spots in town with Quebec’s 400+ year old fortress in the backdrop. Place d’Youville is the beautiful plaza right in the center of Old Quebec. Rentals were very reasonably priced too! It is a smaller rink and can get crowded during busy times.
Onhwa’ Lumina - This is the best light show I’ve seen. It was really special to get to learn about the Huron-Wendat Culture, and walking through the snowy forest felt magical. The kids loved it too.
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency - Taller than Niagra Falls this waterfall right outside the city is a site to see. Make sure you dress warm because it is COLD, especially crossing the bridge. In the winter the lower part of the falls is often inaccessible. There is a playground and picnic area if the weather isn’t freezing.
Mega Parc - This is a great place to escape the cold when the weather is bad. Indoor ice skating and lots of kids rides.
Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier or Parc Naturel Regional de Portneuf - For hiking or snowshoeing. We founds some cool ice caves, but the whole hike was beautiful.
