Hôtel de Glace at night in Quebec City Canada

Wonderful Québec City Winter Itinerary (Icy & Fun Winter Activities)

In winter, Québec City is one of North America’s most magical places to spend a snowy getaway. One thing we admire about the Québécois is that they don’t hide from winter, they celebrate it!

From the range of outdoor activities you can enjoy in the winter in Québec City to the incredible gastronomy scene, winter wellness options, and how whimsical this beautiful city looks with a fresh dusting of snow – especially around Old Québec City or Vieux Québec’s charming cobbled lanes.

Québec City is a place that makes winter magical. If you already love the season, you’ll be enchanted. If you struggle with the cold, this city just might change your mind—because here, winter isn’t endured, it’s celebrated. As Alfred Wainwright said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing.”

To give you an overview of our suggested Québec City winter itinerary we recommend spending two nights within Québec City and then two nights outside of the city limits to enjoy the beauty and natural landscapes just outside the city limits.

Because we recommend enjoying winter activities that aren’t only in the city center, we recommend renting a car for this trip to give you the freedom to experience all the incredible activities suggested on our itinerary!

Some of the winter activities this Québec City itinerary will feature include:

  • Exploring the European charm of Old Québec/Vieux Québec
  • Winter wellness at a gorgeous spa
  • Enjoying the unique sport of ice canoeing in the only place in the world where tourists can enjoy this sport!
  • Winter outdoor activities at Jacques-Cartier National Park
  • Visiting Hôtel de Glace, the magical Ice Hotel along with snowtubing!
  • Skiing or snowboarding at Le Relais and staying at a beautiful Entourage sur-le-Lac nearby

Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with Destination Québec Cité. As always, all opinions and experiences are our own!

Winter Itinerary for Québec City

Day 1: Arrival & Day Around Québec City

Megan and Scott looking at Quartier Petit-Champlain in Quebec City in winter

We recommend trying to get to Québec City by late morning so you can enjoy a full day around Old Québec! This day is completely customizable to suit your interests in the city too, one of our suggested activities is to join an incredible gastronomy food tour through Old Québec.

This is our favorite way to start a trip in a destination as it gives you a sampling of the local culinary scene and if there’s a stop you love on the tour, you have the opportunity to dine there again!

Stop by Your Hotel

view of Chateau Frontenac in winter from Hilton Quebec in Quebec City

First things first! You will need to drop off your luggage and if you already picked up your rental car, park that at your hotel. On our most recent trip to Québec City we stayed at the Hilton Québec, located on Parliament Hill with absolutely breathtaking views of the city.

If your room isn’t ready, you can still drop your bags off before venturing off. If you’re a Hilton Honors Diamond Status Member you won’t want to miss their Executive Lounge with incredible views of Old Québec and Parliament.

The best part about staying at Hilton Québec might be the heated outdoor rooftop pool open year-round too!

Ice Skating at Place d’Youville

Ice Skating at Place d'Youville in Quebec City

Just a few steps away from the Hilton Québec is the public square, Place d’Youville where you can find entertainment venues like Théâtre Capitole de Québec, Le Diamant performing arts theater, and the beautiful Le Capitole Hôtel.

Surrounded by the rue Saint-Jean and Saint-Jean Gate, one of the entry points into the fortified walls of Old Québec, not to mention one of the oldest streets in Québec City.

The winter ice rink here offers such a picturesque setting. When we arrived, there was a light dusting of snow falling and it felt like a scene from a postcard.

If you’re not ready to go ice skating just yet, don’t worry, we have another recommendation for the evening portion of this day on your Québec City winter itinerary you can enjoy as well! Even if you’re just passing by, it’s fun to stop for a moment and watch those ice skating before continuing your winter walk through Old Québec.

Toboggan at Au 1884 on Dufferin Terrace

Au 1884 toboggan on Dufferin Terrace with view of Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City

One winter activity not to be missed on your Québec City itinerary is the toboggan ride at Au 1884 on Dufferin Terrace! This is actually considered the oldest attraction in Québec City predating Chateau Frontenac.

First, stop by the cafe to grab a ticket. Then pick out your toboggan and head up to the top of the slide! One tip, the more people/weight on your toboggan, the faster you go!

When you get to the top you’re rewarded with incredible views of the St. Lawrence River and Chateau Frontenac. Be sure to enjoy the view before you race down the slide as you could hit up to 43 mph/70 kmh speeds on your way down!

This is such an exhilarating experience that brings out your child-like wonder and the views are worth it alone!

Ride the Old Québec Funicular

Old Quebec Funicular in Quartier Petit Champlain in Quebec City

From Dufferin Terrace, you can walk over to the Old Québec Funicular ($5 CAD) and enjoy a scenic ride from Upper Town to Lower Town to enjoy an enchanting walk through Quartier Petit-Champlain, one of the prettiest streets in the city!

The funicular is also a historic gem of the city, dating back to 1879 and gives visitors a more convenient and memorable way to get down or up the steep divide between Upper and Lower Towns.

This is also a handy option for when you want to do this trip in reverse, especially if you don’t want to climb the stairs back up to Upper Town!

Join a Gastronomy Tour of Old Québec

Gastronomy Food tour in Old Quebec stop at Le Clan

You might have noticed I haven’t made any food recommendations so far, and that was very strategic! If you can’t wait this long to eat, just have a snack before joining this tour as you will be having a full multi-course meal on this gastronomy journey through Old Québec!

First, we are huge fans of culinary tours, especially on our first day of a trip as we always learn the history of the destination, get our bearings of where we are, and the most important part – we always end up leaving the food tour with at least one or two restaurants we can return to during the rest of our trip!

Unlike other food and culinary tours we’ve been on, the Gourmet Food Tour of Old Québec serves full courses, so you’ll be enjoying a full, 5 course meal at 4 stops along with drink pairings vs the typical tour where you get samples or light bites. So you’ll want to come hungry.

The operator, HQ Services Touristiques really offers a quality experience and you’ll be making stops in 5-star and gourmet establishments tasting your way through the flavors of French Canadian cuisine.

The entire tour is 3-3.5 hours in length and for us, since it started at 3 PM worked out to be the perfect meal for lunch and dinner. So if you’re joining this experience, we recommend planning ahead and having breakfast and perhaps a light snack to hold you over.

You’ll also be walking around Old Québec and will ride the funicular again on this tour! It’s really a great way to start your Québec City winter itinerary and we give it a 10/10!

Option for Night Ice Skating at Port of Québec Discoglace

Port of Québec Discoglace in Quebec City in winter

If you’re looking for a way to get moving after all the delicious food you just tried, consider heading to the Port of Québec Discoglace for a fun, night ice skating experience with a DJ or live music!

The setting of this ice rink is unlike any other, it’s more like an ice rink nightclub within Old Port with a backdrop of Chateau Frontenac.

Day 2: Ice Canoeing & Spa Day

Megan-and-Scott-Ice-Canoeing-on-the-St-Lawrence-River-in-Quebec-City

Kick off your next day in your Québec City winter itinerary with one of the most unique activities in the world! Ice canoeing on the St. Lawrence River! This is the only place in the world where tourists can enjoy this sport, which is an excellent workout by the way!

After this thrilling (and chilling) adventure, you get a much deserved bit of relaxation at the spa!

If ice canoeing sounds too extreme for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other things to do in Québec City in winter you can substitute it for. But, if you have the physical ability to do this activity, we suggest don’t missing this experience of a lifetime!

Canot à Glace Ice Canoe Experience

ice-canoe-experience-on-St-Lawrence-River-in-Quebec-City-Canada

Ice canoeing on the St. Lawrence River can be traced back to Indigenous communities, long before European settlers adapted it as a crucial winter transportation method to navigate the icy waters of the mighty river.

Modern engineering provided bridges, ferries, and roads and well, ice canoeing no longer became a necessity, but it still remains a thrilling (and chilling!) tradition in Québec City. Today, it’s an adrenaline-pumping sport, with competitive races for professional teams and the unique opportunity for adventurous travelers to experience this one-of-a-kind winter activity firsthand!

Canot à Glace is the only company in the world where tourists can enjoy ice canoeing!

One look at the St. Lawrence River in winter and you might ask yourself why would I dare go near this? But you’re in good hands. You’ll be with a team of professional guides that will first teach you all the techniques on land, like “scootering,” which is how you move the canoe through the floating ice on the river.

After you practice on land, get suited up in all the proper gear, you’ll set out for the mighty St. Lawrence River for a few hours paddling your way through ice chunks in the river taking a hot chocolate break on a floating island of ice!

Our ice canoe team had five people—us and three experienced guides. Navigating through the ice was an absolute blast, especially when scootering over frozen sections—I worked muscles I didn’t even know existed!

This was easily one of the top highlights of our winter itinerary in Québec City. Floating down the river on a drifting chunk of ice, soaking in the stunning views, felt completely surreal.

And with expert guides and the right gear, we felt safe and ready to take on this unforgettable adventure! And afterwards, they have a sauna you can relax in overlooking the St. Lawrence River!

How to Dress:

– Wear a breathable long-sleeve shirt to act as your base layer
– Have an additional sweater to wear over your base layer
– Wear a light winter coat (think softshell or windbreaker) to protect you from the wind.
– Wear a pair of thin, quick-drying socks & a pair of thicker, warm socks
– Wear leggings or athletic fitted pants to be your base layer
– Have a pair of athletic fitted pants to go over your base layer pants, like light snow pants
– Wear a beanie/toque (without a pom pom)
– Wear a neck gaiter or buff
– they will provide specialized mittens for you along with the rest of the specialized gear you’ll need


Relax at Strøm Spa Nordique

Megan Indoe soaking in a thermal pool at Strom Spa Nordique along the St Lawrence River in Quebec City

Overlooking the St. Lawrence River in the heart of Québec City is one of the best places to relax during your winter getaway! Especially if you’re coming after the ice canoeing experience!

If you are following our Québec City winter itinerary in order, you will first want to change and then dine at Nord Restaurant within the spa. The restaurant sources local ingredients to boreal-inspired dishes featured on their menu.

After your meal, you can easily spend hours relaxing and soaking away any stress you might have brought with you on this trip.

You’ll find relaxation rooms, saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, heated pools overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and my favorite – the heated outdoor lazy river that you can just float around in and let the current take you!

It’s best to book your reservation to Strøm Spa in advance to secure your spot! Bring a book if you want to stay for hours. We could have easily spent a whole half day here.

An Evening Around Quartier Petit-Champlain

Quartier Petit-Champlain in Quebec City in winter

After your relaxing afternoon in the spa, head back to the hotel and freshen up before going out for an evening stroll around Quartier Petit-Champlain. The evening is an enchanting time to walk through this pretty area as all the lights are on and the romantic streets and alleys are all twinkling.

We even had a dusting of snow falling down ever so gently during our visit and it felt like we were in a real-life snow globe.

tabelside-cooking-at-Le-Continental-in-Quebec-City-Canada

You’ll surely build up an appetite so we recommend having dinner around Old Québec, perhaps one of the stops on the gastronomy tour like Restaurant Le Continental, where everything is cooked tableside and this was where Anthony Bourdain dined while visiting the city.

Or Restaurant La Bûche offers a menu full of Québécois specialties like meat pie, baked beans (topped with maple syrup of course), and all kinds of savory meals that will warm you up on the coldest of winter days!

For a great nightcap, don’t miss 1608 Bar at Château Frontenac. The sleek circular brass bar is a stunning centerpiece, but the real showstopper is the view—gaze out the windows for breathtaking sights of Québec City and the St. Lawrence River.

Day 3: Québec City’s Great Outdoors & Ice Hotel

Hôtel de Glace exterior and cozy fire in Quebec City Canada

This portion of your winter itinerary in Québec City will require a car. Within a 30-minute drive from Old Québec is Jacques Cartier National Park and Hôtel de Glace at Village Vacances Valcartier.

Head to a cafe or boulangerie to pick up sandwiches to eat at Jacques Cartier National Park before leaving the city. We got great options from Boulangerie Paillard.

During our trip, we stayed overnight at L’Entourage sur-le-Lac, a gorgeous resort in LacBeauport, where we recommend staying outside of the city if you want to enjoy the same activities we did, like skiing at Le Relais on one of your days.

You also have the option of staying at Hôtel de Glace too. Or you can just tour it like we did. One day we will stay here!

Montmorency Falls

Montmorency Falls in January in Quebec City

Before heading to Jacques Cartier National Park, make a quick detour to Montmorency Falls, located just 15 minutes by car outside Old Québec.

This dramatic waterfall is breathtaking in the winter, especially when the water is plunging 272.3 ft (83 m) past giant icicles!

In the winter, I would say that the lower parking area where you’re at the base of Montmorency Falls is the best area to visit due to snow and ice.

Snow Activities at Jacques Cartier National Park

ski shoeing in Jacques Cartier National Park in Quebec Canada

Hopefully, you took our advice and grabbed some to go items for lunch to enjoy within Jacques Cartier National Park. This stunning outdoor area is set in a beautiful glacial valley.

After paying admission to the park, we recommend driving to the Discovery and Vistors Centre where you can rent your winter equipment like snowshoes, cross-country skis, kicksleds, or ski shoes. We tried ski shoeing,  a mix between cross-country skiing and snowshoeing where the boot lifts like a snowshoe and you’re on a shorter ski.

This took a minute to get comfortable doing, but it was easy and a nice way to enjoy the views!

You can talk to a park ranger to help you pick out what trail is best for you and your equipment and set off!

We followed a flat path along the river to The Sautauriski resting hut where we had our lunch, went the restroom, turned around, and made our way back to the visitors center.

There are trails for every level here and the winter scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

Visit Hôtel de Glace

megan outside Hôtel de Glace at night in quebec canada

This is hands down one of the most unique experiences to add to your Québec City winter itinerary! A few years ago, we visited in December to watch the Hôtel de Glace take shape—it takes two months to build and welcomes guests from January through March.

Yes, you can actually sleep in a hotel made entirely of ice! Each room is a stunning, one-of-a-kind creation designed by different artists. The hotel also features an ice bar serving drinks in carved ice glasses, an ice chapel for weddings, and in 2025, its first-ever ice restaurant in partnership with Château Frontenac.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the ice hotel also introduced a live music stage, dance area, and an art installation honoring local Indigenous and First Nations communities. Visitors can tour the hotel, grab a drink at the bar, or book an overnight stay.

Surprisingly, it’s possible to acclimate to the cold! The ice hotel maintains a steady microclimate, and each stay includes a room at the main hotel for belongings (or a warm escape if needed). Guests also receive a high-performance sleeping bag rated for extreme temperatures and a guide to ensure a cozy night.

One of these years, we’ll stay the night—and maybe even renew our vows in the ice chapel!

Snow Tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier

Snow Tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier in Quebec Canada in winter

Not only does Village Vacances Valcartier have the most unique hotel in North America in winter, but they also have a full snow tubing park that offers a winter playground fun for all ages!

Imagine a mountain resort that you’d have for skiing with all the same amenities but for snow tubing only? That’s what you’ll find here! There are 35 different runs, a tow rope to Think of a ski resort, but instead of skiing, it’s all about snow tubing. With 35 runs, a tow rope to take you up the hill, and even a restaurant at the top, it’s a full-on winter playground.

You can enjoy traditional snow tubing, it’s best done with a group of people! Or you can enjoy one of their unique ways to go down the hill in a spinning circular snowtube with a group of people on the Tornado or down the hill in a snow raft!

The Himalaya features the steepest slopes so you’ll pick up the most speed! This was one of the most thrilling snowtubing experiences we’ve ever had and is worth trying after visiting the Ice Hotel!

Spend the Evening at L’Entourage sur-de-Lac

inside-our-room-at-l'entourage-sur-le-lac-in-Quebec-Canada

Time to check into the gorgeous L’Entourage sur-le-Lac resort in LacBeauport. This is where we stayed and recommend staying to enjoy a relaxing final day on your Québec City winter itinerary.

We had a beautiful room here that overlooked the lake, Lac Beauport. Enjoy a relaxing evening and be sure to make a reservation for dinner at Ilot Repère Gourmand Restaurant on site.

Day 4: Snow Activities in the AM & Hitting the Slopes at Le Relais

aerial view of Lac-Beauport in Quebec in winter

This day will be less filled with activities, but not lacking in fun! Wake up and enjoy the activities on site at L’Entourage sur-le-Lac then drive less than 5 minutes to enjoy skiing or snowboarding at Le Relais.

AM Activities at L’Entourage sur-le-Lac

aerial view of L'Entourage sur-de-Lac in Quebec Canada in winter

It’s so easy to fill an itinerary so much that you don’t have a chance to slow down and take it all in. On your final morning, we recommend slowly waking up to a winter wonderland and having breakfast at the hotel before taking advantage of all the great amenities this resort has to offer.

Lac Beauport, the lake is frozen over in the winter and you’ll notice locals walking their dogs or going for a morning run on the lake. Or you’ll spot the ice hockey rink set up on the lake or the ice skating loop that goes all the way around the lake!

There’s an adorable little chalet by the lake where you can grab snow shoes, ice skates, ice hockey gear, kicksleds, and anything else you need to enjoy the frozen lake and winter wonderland this property sits on!

Hit the Slopes at Le Relais

night-skiing-at-Le-Relais-in-Quebec-Canada

Located less than 5-minutes from the resort is Le Relais, a family-friendly ski resort great for all levels of skiing or snowboarding.

There are 33 groomed runs and 28 of those are open for night skiing. This is actually one of the few resorts in the area that has night skiing as an option!

We brought our own snowsuit, but were able to rent our gear that we needed at the resort. There’s also a bistro for dining and taking a break when you need it!

And if you want to take an extended break, you’re close to the resort!

Cool Winter Events in Québec City to Plan Around

people walking in Quartier Petit-Champlain in Quebec City in winter

Timing is everything when planning your Québec City winter itinerary and some of the activities could change depending on the time of season you visit.

Check out our full guide to the best things to do in Québec City in winter to get an idea of more things to do plus more recommendations for where to eat and drink.

Québec City in December

Megan Indoe taken aback by the beauty of the German Christmas Market in Quebec City in December

This is a great time to visit if you’re looking to hit up the holiday markets! The Québec City German Christmas Market is a legit Old World Christmas Market you’d find in Europe!

There are multiple locations and it’s an especially romantic and festive time of year to be in Québec City.

The only thing to keep in mind is that if you want to visit Hôtel de Glace, it will be under construction during this period and not completed.

Québec City in January

Megan about to go down Au 1884 toboggan in Quebec City in winter

This is a great time to visit if you want to beat the crowds that December and February bring around the holiday markets and Carnival. It’s also when you’ll find better hotel deals compared to the other two months.

This is when we visited most recently and completed this Québec City winter itinerary as written in this guide.

Québec City in February

Bonhomme-Carnaval-at-Quebec-City-in-winter

Winter in Québec City doesn’t get more magical than Carnaval de Québec—one of the year’s biggest and most celebrated events

This festive outdoor event celebrates winter and provides activities for all ages to participate in or be a spectators. The famous snowman mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval, and his Ice Palace are iconic symbols of this joyous event!

This is also when you can watch the professionals compete in an ice canoe race down the St. Lawrence River.


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