QUEBEC CITY IN WINTER: Here are 10 Ways to Enjoy the City!

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Visiting Quebec City in winter sounds a little bit intimidating, doesn’t it? Up until last year, my previous visits had taken place during the summer months, however, there was one event that I really wanted to attend which would require braving the cold: Carnaval de Quebec.

In case you’ve never heard of it, Carnaval de Quebec is a winter extravaganza where people gather to celebrate the frosty season…outdoors! The event is over 3 weeks long and it has an action-packed schedule featuring street parades, canoe races, ice sculpture competitions, dance parties, snow baths (that’s exactly what it sounds like) and more.

QUEBEC CITY IN WINTER: Here are 10 Ways to Enjoy the City! Visiting Quebec City in winter means you can visit the ice hotel.

I braved the cold for a long weekend, and aside from joining in on the carnival fun, I also ended up discovering that Quebec City is a magical destination in the wintertime. Carnaval de Quebec may be the main event of the season, but there’s still quite a bit of fun to be had around town the rest of winter. So with that in mind, here are a few ideas for enjoying Quebec City in winter:

Ways to enjoy Quebec City in Winter

Dogsledding in Quebec City during the winter months.

Carnaval de Quebec is a good reason to visit this city in wintertime.

Join the carnival winter madness

If you can time your visit to coincide with Carnaval de Quebec, you should definitely do so! This festival is all about embracing winter to the fullest and enjoying all the fun that comes with the cold temperatures, ice, and snow. Carnaval de Quebec sets up on the Plains of Abraham and you can enjoy everything from dog sledding and sleigh rides, to ice fishing and tubing. It’s fun for all ages. You can even visit the carnival’s mascot, Bonhomme, who lives in the Ice Palace for the duration of the Carnaval. He’s a jolly one!

The iconic Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada.

Have afternoon tea at Chateau Frontenac

Another way to enjoy winter in Quebec city is by treating yourself to afternoon tea! For this, I recommend the Chateau Frontenac; not only does it dominate Quebec City’s skyline, but it is also the most photographed hotel in the entire world! I was lucky enough to visit back in 2010 when the hotel still offered guided tours which took you behind the scenes, however, they have since discontinued those. That being said, the hotel is still worth a visit. You can walk right in and browse around the lobby, or if you really want to soak in the ambience, they serve afternoon tea on Saturdays. (Reservations must be made in advance.)

Ride the slides on Dufferin Terrace

Dufferin Terrace is a boardwalk that sits right in front of the Chateau Frontenac and offers spectacular views of the Saint Lawrence and Lévis just on the other side of the river. During the summer months, you’ll catch people out for a leisurely stroll, however, during the winter months this is the setting of a toboggan run. The toboggan is one of the oldest attractions in town and it has been in operation since 1884. It has 3 icy runs and once you’re on the toboggan you can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour! This is something that you can only experience if you visit Quebec City in winter.

Eating Beavertails in Quebec City - this one had peanut butter and nutella.

Eat a beaver tail

Fear not! The name ‘beaver tail’ is a bit of a misnomer so you’re not actually eating a beaver’s tail. A beaver tail is really a pastry made with fried dough and then topped with sweet condiments that include Nutella (my favourite!), whipped cream, banana slices, crumbled Oreos, Reese’s pieces and more. It’s the perfect sweet treat after a long day of sightseeing.

Enjoying drinks at the Ice Hotel Bar in Quebec City.

One of the bedrooms inside the Ice Hotel in Quebec City.

Spend the night in an Ice Hotel

If you want to snag a room at Quebec City’s Hôtel de Glace, you’re going to have to book well in advance! Spending the night in a room with sub-zero temperatures may not seem like the most inviting proposition, but when this room is in Quebec City’s Ice Hotel, the rooms are in high demand. Fortunately, the hotel is open to both day visitors and overnight guests. I went as a day visitor where I got to tour the hotel, sit in the chapel, and then visit the bar where they were serving drinks in ice glasses and a dance party was raging midday. Another unique experience that you can only experience in Quebec City in the wintertime!

Quebec City in winter is magical, especially when you explore the old quarter on foot.

The streets of old Quebec City in winter all covered in snow.

You can see ice sculptures in Quebec City's Petit Champlain quarter when you visit in winter.

Walk along Quartier Petit Champlain

Quartier Petit Champlain is my favourite neighbourhood in Quebec City, especially when the Christmas lights are up and the path is covered in snow. Here you’ll find bistros, souvenir shops, art galleries, and boutiques. This little corner is far from a secret, but when we visited early on a Sunday morning we had the place to ourselves. We walked around, snapped pictures of the colourful storefronts, and then once we couldn’t take the cold, we popped into a little cafe for a hot drink and a Bohomme gingerbread cookie.

Go ice skating

Lace up those skates! You have a few different options when it comes to ice skating in Quebec City: there’s Place D’Youville in the heart of Old Quebec, you have another skating rink in the Plains of Abraham, or you can go to Pointe-aux-Lièvres where they have a 1.5 kilometre illuminated skating path.

Trying ice canoeing in Quebec City on an icy river.

Try ice canoeing on the Saint Lawrence

I know this sounds insane – who could possibly want to get close to the icy waters of the Saint Lawrence River in winter?! – but as crazy as it sounds, it’s one of the coolest experiences out there! Ice canoeing is a serious sport around these parts and it takes some guts. You basically haul a canoe down to the shores of the river, slide it across the ice, and then climb in once you reach sections of open river where slabs of ice are floating towards you. I tried this with the guys from Quebec Ice Canoeing and it was a blast! They are professionals who compete in this sport, and they were really good about teaching us the proper techniques and keeping us safe on the water.

Escape the cold at a Nordic Spa

If you’re in need of a little pampering, Quebec City in winter is not a bad place to be. They have numerous Nordic Spas like SKYSPA and Sibéria Station Spa in the city, as well as a few others a short drive away. You can relax with saunas, steam baths, nordic waterfalls, and massages.

Staying warm by an outdoor fire during our winter visit to Quebec City.

Hot cocoa to warm up in Quebec City on a cold wintry day.

Warm up with hot chocolate

Last but not least, remember to take plenty of breaks and pop into coffee shops for a hot drink when the cold starts getting to you. Winter in Quebec City can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s also magical so if you can find a way to push through the cold, it’s worth it. Hot cocoa breaks are fun, plus you may also notice that some of the squares have outdoor fireplaces where you can thaw out your fingers and toes. That, and maybe throw in a few hot packs inside your mittens – they made the world of a difference for me!

Ways to enjoy Quebec City in winter.

Have you visited Quebec City in winter?
What’s your favourite winter destination?

Visiting Quebec City in the wintertime when the streets are covered in snow.

Quebec City's historic Old Town in winter.

Join the Conversation

15 Comments

  1. says: Jenn Flo Taylor

    Quebec looks so dreamy!!! I think it has something to do with the sweltering 35degC weather I’m sitting it- but boy does a snow wonderland look amazing! The beaver tail also looks really delicious- yum!!!!

  2. says: Francesca

    Sooo cool!I have read about Carnaval de Quebec before. Haven’t been yet but it’s on the bucket list! My husband and I are currently housesitting in Mississauga until the end of March. We probably won’t make it to Carnaval this winter season but I do believe there is something similar to this festival in Toronto around February which is much more do-able for us. Thanks for the great photos and I can’t wait to see and do all of that myself someday 🙂

  3. Oh wow, Quebec looks gorgeous! I just Google mapped it, and it’s only a ten hour drive from Philadelphia. That’s not a bad road trip destination up through the Northeast. I could definitely use a dose of this winter love to get me in the season. 🙂

  4. says: Lillian

    Spent a Christmas in Quebec City. Loved the ambience and the toboggan run, eating at fabulous restaurants and just walking around the beautiful city!

  5. says: Bret

    We’re not usually big on cities, but we’ve heard a lot of great things about Quebec recently. The combination of canoeing the St Lawrence River, staying at the Ice Hotel and visiting a Nordic Spa could turn us into believers!

  6. says: Katherine

    Love Québec City! There are so many things to do there, especially during Carnaval season. Another great place to visit during the winter season is the somewhat nearby capital of Canada, Ottawa, which is about 6 hours away. There you can skate on the Rideau Canal (the world’s largest outdoor skating rink), visit tons of museums and even participate in Winterlude, Ottawa’s own version of Carnaval. Definitely worth a visit as there are ice sculpture competition, concerts, traditional Canadian foods, etc.

  7. says: Hung Thai

    Haven’t been to Quebec City yet, but it’s one my list. I’ve been to Sherbrooke and Montreal though. If Sherbrooke is any indication, I think Quebec City would be incredible as well. I actually love snow and being surrounded by white landscape so it’ll be a great fit. Thanks for the great suggestions. 🙂

  8. says: Marc

    I always loved Quebec and been there several times in the Winter. I exactly see what you have done during that time. Beautiful pictures and a great post.

  9. says: Kate

    Ice canoeing?! That sounds awesome!! I’ve been dreaming of a trip to Quebec City and I’ve think you’ve convinced me it needs to be a winter trip. The city looks simply magical!

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