Quebec's natural landscapes change with the seasons, offering you awe-inspiring moments of contemplation, discovery and adventure. From the Outaouais to the Côte-Nord, via the Saguenay and Gaspésie, discover a vast playground that will delight outdoor enthusiasts.
With winter just around the corner, here are our must-haves to keep you busy all winter long!
Kayaking in winter, why not?
Are you looking for outside-the-box sports? Don’t miss the chance to go on a winter kayak expedition! Close to the end of the season, when there is still ice floating on the water, Katabatik and Attitude Nordique invite you to paddle on the cold waters of the St. Lawrence Estuary and explore rarely seen landscapes. Participants bundle up and set out with expert guides on a four-hour expedition that is sure to amaze. Imagine gazing out at ice-covered scenery, seals and ice floes as you paddle along the clear blue waters – probably untravelled since before winter. A one-of-a-kind adventure for any outdoor enthusiast!
Exhilarating off-trailing
Every sport has its secrets, and nordic backcountry skiing in Quebec is no exception, with an impressive number of snow caches! Here are a few you should definitely try out this winter.
Try your hand at backcountry skiing in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier with Quatre Natures. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll start by learning how to get around, then make your own trail through the undergrowth, alternating between ascents and descents. Ski, boots, climbing skins and telescopic poles are included, as is a lunch break in a mountain shelter.
For a descent on the pristine slopes of Matane’s Chics-Chocs, Vertigo-Aventures invites you to experience the ultimate backcountry skiing excursion on one of Eastern Quebec’s top backcountry ski areas: Mont-Blanc and Mont Paul. With virgin powder, these paradises offer numerous descents with 300 to 500 m vertical drop and magnificent mountain scenery, perfect for alpine touring enthusiasts. Maximize your safety and opt for an avalanche safety course, offered with all ski packages.
Located just 45 minutes from Quebec City, in the small town of St-Raymond de Portneuf, the Vallée Bras-du-Nord offers an off-piste ski area accessible only with a guide. On the menu: hunting for the best powder snow. This is guaranteed, as reservations are mandatory and the number of skiers with access is limited. Equipment rental is available on site.
Mush, mush!
Mushers are the true masters of the boreal forest. In winter, these enthusiasts travel hundreds of kilometers on their sleds pulled by tireless wolf-like dogs, and dog sledding is also a popular way to discover fabulous landscapes. And dogsledding is a great way to access beautiful landscapes.
Entre chien et loup invites you to discover the scenery of the Saguenay Fjord on sled excursions pulled by a pack of malamutes crossed with wolves. For the duration of an expedition, you’ll get a taste of the wilderness as you guide your own team. At Descente Malbaie, cross the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park valley with your Husky team.
At Expédition Rêve Blanc, we don’t do things by halves. To pass on its passion for sled dogs and the great outdoors, the company has signed an exclusive agreement with Réserve faunique Papineau-Labelle. For the duration of your stay, you’ll have absolute peace and quiet to enjoy and savor the magnificent landscapes that surround you. For a few days, you’ll be completely self-sufficient!
All Chalets & Villégiature de la Rivière Daaquam tours take place in the Appalachian Park, a natural environment of boreal forest and peat bogs, interspersed with frozen lakes and rivers, with over 100km of trails. Experienced guides will share their passion for mushing with young and old alike.
Are you a snowmobile enthusiast? Combine these two activities! Laurel Aventure Nature offers a magnificent package that includes a dogsled excursion, a snowmobile outing and a night in a tipi. The best of both worlds for winter enthusiasts.
Parc régional de la Rivière Gentilly ©Nostudiomedia
Riding a Fatbike in the snow
Addicted to cycling, whatever the season? Fatbikes are back this year, and even more in than ever! Find out where you can practice your pedal stroke this winter!
At Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook , a 10-km course lets sports enthusiasts enjoy magnificent views on trails groomed by volunteers. Snow bikers and snowshoers share part of the trail in a friendly atmosphere. At the Parc régional de la Rivière Gentilly, 17-km of Fatbike trails are groomed mechanically, maximizing conditions throughout the operating season.
