Québec City
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With more than 400 years of history, Québec City is winter's warmest destination. Under its mantle of white, the city turns more magical than ever: a show that's unique in North America, with snowy slopes minutes from downtown.
from québec city to charlevoix
Québec City in Winter: Old Québec, Attractions and Stoneham
A Winter City
Few capitals live winter as fully as Québec City. The ramparts of Old Québec, Dufferin Terrace and its toboggan slide, Lower Town streets strung with lights, the river full of ice: everything invites you outside, even in deep cold. And for skiers, it's a dream base camp, with Stoneham about twenty minutes away and Mont-Sainte-Anne forty.
The Area at a Glance
- Key neighborhoods
- Old Québec (Upper Town and Lower Town), Saint-Roch, Montcalm, Sainte-Foy, Beauport
- Mountains
- Stoneham; Mont-Sainte-Anne and the smaller Le Relais nearby
- Access
- Jean Lesage International Airport, Gare du Palais train station, Autoroutes 20 and 40 from Montréal
- Best for
- couples, families, fans of culture, fine food and nights out in town
various activities
Québec Winter Carnival
It's one of the biggest winter carnivals in the world. An ice palace, snow sculptures, ice canoe races on the river, night parades, outdoor dance parties and snow baths await you in a friendly atmosphere. Get the full story in our guide to Québec City in winter and the Carnival.
Old Québec
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Québec is a pleasure to explore on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. Its European charm, history, culture and accent make it an easy place to fall for. The Château Frontenac, opened in 1893, is its symbol.
Food for Every Taste
The Québec City region is packed with delicious and varied food finds: gourmet restaurants, sugar shacks in late winter, neighborhood bistros and the famous poutine. With friends or family, the only trouble is choosing.
Shopping
Shopping streets, art galleries, the boutiques of Petit-Champlain and big malls: you'll find that one-of-a-kind item you're after, for yourself or as a gift.
Rest and Wellness
Relax in the calm of an indoor spa or out in nature: massage therapy, thermal therapy, body treatments, saunas and Nordic baths.
Dog Sledding
A mix of tradition, sport and the spirit of the North: try dog sledding and enjoy gliding along the white trails around Québec City, from Jacques-Cartier National Park to Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Hôtel de Glace
One of a kind in the Americas, the Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) is rebuilt every winter entirely from ice and snow. This fleeting masterpiece has a great hall, a chapel, a slide, carved artworks and an ice bar. You can tour it by day or sleep in a themed suite, with access to outdoor spas. It's located at Village Vacances Valcartier.
Village Vacances Valcartier
About twenty minutes from Québec City, this is one of the largest winter playgrounds in the Americas: dozens of snow-tubing slides for all ages, skating trails and dizzying slopes. On the same site, a big Polynesian-themed indoor water park, kept at about 30 °C (86 °F) all year, is a hit with families on the coldest days.
Evenings in Québec City
After skiing, the city takes over: Grande Allée, the bars of Saint-Roch, shows, a Remparts game at the Centre Vidéotron. The Loto-Québec gaming hall in the Beauport district offers electronic gaming terminals until late in the evening. For real casino tables, you'll want to aim for the Casino de Charlevoix, about two hours away. For lodging, see where to stay in Québec City.
