Getting Here: Plane, Car, Train and Shuttle
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The geography couldn't be better: three mountains less than two hours from one another, all linked to Québec City by a road network that's maintained all winter. The region is easy to reach on the highways that connect the major cities of Québec, Ontario and the northeastern United States.
your ski trip
By Air
Québec City's Jean Lesage International Airport is the gateway to Eastern Québec. It's linked year-round to Montréal, Toronto and other Canadian cities, and in winter to several U.S. and sun destinations. From the airport, allow about 25 minutes to Stoneham, 45 minutes to Mont-Sainte-Anne and a little more than an hour and fifteen minutes to Le Massif. Renting a car remains the most flexible way to get between the mountains.
By Car
| From | To Québec City | To Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul) |
|---|---|---|
| Montréal | about 250 km, 2.5 to 3 hours | about 350 km, 3 hr 45 min |
| Ottawa | about 450 km, 4 hr 30 min | about 545 km, 5 hr 45 min |
| Toronto | about 800 km, 8 hours | about 900 km, 9 hours |
| Moncton | about 700 km, 7 hr 30 min | about 800 km, 8 hr 30 min |
| Boston | about 650 km, 7 hours | about 750 km, 8 hours |
| New York | about 850 km, 8 hr 30 min | about 950 km, 9 hr 30 min |
Times are approximate, in good weather and outside rush hour. From Québec City: Stoneham via Autoroute 73 and Route 175 (about 25 minutes), Mont-Sainte-Anne via Autoroute 440 and Route 138 (about 40 minutes), Le Massif and Baie-Saint-Paul via Route 138 (about 1 hr 15 min), La Malbaie and its casino via Route 138 (about 2 hours).
Winter Driving in Québec
- Winter tires are mandatory for vehicles registered in Québec from December 1 to March 15. Rental cars come equipped with them.
- Route 138 in Charlevoix has long hills, especially between Saint-Tite-des-Caps and Baie-Saint-Paul. Slow down in snowy weather and leave plenty of room.
- Check Québec 511 for road conditions before you leave, especially during storms.
- Keep in the car a snow brush, winter washer fluid, a blanket and a charged phone.
By Train and Bus
The train links Montréal with Gare du Palais, in the heart of Québec City, in a little over three hours. Intercity buses also connect Montréal and Québec City, and some serve the Côte-de-Beaupré and Charlevoix. A tourist train has run between Québec City and Charlevoix along the river; its service has been interrupted and restarted several times, so check its status before counting on it.
By Shuttle
Depending on the season, shuttles link downtown Québec City and certain hotels with the mountains, and transportation services have made it possible to travel between Mont-Sainte-Anne and Le Massif regardless of the weather. Schedules change from one winter to the next, so check with the resorts or your lodging.
Tip: if you're staying in Québec City without a car, Stoneham and Mont-Sainte-Anne are the easiest to reach by shuttle. For Charlevoix and a night at the Casino de Charlevoix, a car is close to essential.
