Winter Activities Between Québec City and Charlevoix

For Thrill-Seekers

• Sledding at Le Massif: about 7.5 km of guided descent, with the river as a backdrop. A rare experience in North America (see Le Massif).
• Ice climbing at Montmorency Falls, led by guides, with a view of the river.
• Snowmobiling in the backcountry of Charlevoix and Portneuf, on a network of club-maintained trails.
• Off-piste and ski touring, with a qualified guide and the required safety gear.

For Nature Lovers

• Cross-country skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne, with about 200 km of trails, and on the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix.
• Snowshoeing in Grands-Jardins National Park, Jacques-Cartier National Park or Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park, depending on winter access.
• Dog sledding, from a one-hour introduction to a multi-day expedition, around Mont-Sainte-Anne, Québec City and in Charlevoix.
• Winter wildlife and scenery: river ice, seabirds at Isle-aux-Coudres, deer and hare tracks in the forest.

For Families

• Village Vacances Valcartier, with dozens of snow-tubing slides, skating and a heated indoor water park.
• The Hôtel de Glace, rebuilt every winter, for a daytime tour or an unforgettable night.
• The Dufferin Terrace toboggan slide, at the foot of the Château Frontenac, a Québec City tradition.
• The Québec Winter Carnival, with its parades and sculptures (see Québec City in winter).

For Unwinding

• Nordic spas on the Côte-de-Beaupré, in Québec City and in Charlevoix: hot baths, sauna, cold plunge, rest by the fire.
• Charlevoix's Flavour Trail, to meet cheesemakers, farmers and brewers (see Charlevoix food).
• The galleries of Baie-Saint-Paul, a town of artists for more than a century.

For Evenings

After a day in the cold, evenings are usually spent somewhere warm. In Québec City: Old Québec restaurants, Saint-Roch bars, Remparts games at the Centre Vidéotron and the Loto-Québec gaming hall in Beauport. In Charlevoix: a microbrewery in Baie-Saint-Paul, fine dining in La Malbaie and the Casino de Charlevoix, with its blackjack, roulette and poker tables, slot machines and shows. If you've never played at a table, our guide to poker and table games for beginners will put you at ease.