Winter

Glide along the snow on your cross-country skis, on a beautiful tracked trail. Whether you ski the classic way or prefer skating, cross-country skiing is a great outdoor activity for enjoying the world of nature around you. Whether recreational or competitive, Quebec has an extensive trail network for skiers both tall and small. Free skiing or accompanied by a guide, Aventure Écotourisme Québec member outfitters offer a full menu of extraordinary winter cross-country day-trips, and multiday treks too. 

Live winter at its best ? in Quebec! Hop on a sled and let a husky or malamute team take you across the gorgeous frozen landscape. Experienced mushers drive you and your crew on a family outing across a network of sled trails, or anyone who prefers to sit back and enjoy this amazing outdoor experience to the fullest. The more adventurous are welcome to learn how to harness up their team, and mush too. Enjoy a moment of deep Nordic pleasure as you speed across the snow, by choosing the services of an Aventure Écotourisme Québec member dog-sled outfitter.

Unique in the world, ice canoeing is practiced only in Quebec. It is the most original and safe way to go play on the St. Lawrence River in winter. Formerly an essential means of transportation in winter, the ice canoe is today both an outdoor activity and a colourful competitive event, approaching extreme sport. Just think of the famous ice canoe races during the Quebec Winter Carnival!

Ice canoeing is practiced in small groups of 5 canoeists who move with large oars on the water and with crampons as the canoe makes its way through the ice.

Ice canyoning is a vertical winter activity to follow an icy stream and abseil down vertical frozen waterfalls. It is performed like summer canyoning but with dry winter clothing and the use of crampons.

Ice climbing is the activity for conquering Quebec’s frosty peaks, in winter. Pick in hand and crampons on your boots, countless ice-covered waterfalls and rocky faces call out to all ice climbers. From a beginner lesson in complete safety to a guided outing including gear rental, our member outfitters provide excellent ice climbing tips and advice for all. Go ahead, breaking the ice feels good as you set out to discover Montmorency Falls, les Palissades de Charlevoix, Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook or countless ice-capped cliffs in the Laurentians. To your picks, one and all! 

Teasing the fish, in winter? Yes! On a frozen lake or river, ice fishing is an absolutely extraordinary experience. All bundled up, why not go ice fishing with a small rod or brimbale ? it’s a sure-fire way to boost your winter fun! Most often a heated hut is included, and the fish are always ready to bite. With friends, family or your gang of savvy anglers, everyone has fun ice fishing in Quebec, in winter.

Love tall peaks, powder and off-trail or telemark skiing? We do too! Off-trail and telemark skiing are perfect for thrill-seekers to get their fill of winter sights and scenery. Ride untouched mountains, free as a bird, and admire breathtaking landscapes. Trust our professionals member outfitters and set out to conquer Quebec’s tall mountains from the Upper Gaspé region’s Chic Chocs to Charlevoix. Beginner or seasoned off-trail and telemark skiers are sure to enjoy their day or their ski & stay getaway in Quebec’s great outdoors! Make your next ski trip an unforgettable adventure. 

Alpine ski touring behind a dog or horse is known as ski joering, a winter activity that blends all the fun of skiing with the power of an animal. Most often practised with dogs, it combines the joys of dog-sledding and cross-country skiing. What could be nicer than gliding along the snow and staying in shape, on forested trails? Our outfitters gladly teach you the basics of harnessed skiing and introduce you to exciting new ways of enjoying a beautiful winter’s day, in Quebec.

With the wind in your sail, discover winter in Quebec as you glide across a magnificent, pristine landscape.  Snowkiting / kiteskiing is an ecofriendly, free means of transit that only relies on the wind to carry you across flat terrain. Experience the thrill of being pulled along by the force of a gust! Compared to kitesurfing, snowkiting is easier for beginners because strong winds aren’t needed to move forward. Trust our outdoor adventure specialists to set up a trial for you ? and have the time of your life!

With its vast provincial snowmobile trail network, Quebec has more kilometres for sleds than for automobiles. In winter, snowmobiling is a top outdoor activity ? so what are you waiting for? A number of outfitters offer all-inclusive guided snowmobile treks to appreciate the sport’s many pleasures. Planning to take off for several days on a raid, or on a quick day-trip? Discover pure bliss up in the mountains on a sled, and make your dream getaway in nature come true.  

Discover the joys of winter ? on snowshoes! From snowshoe day-trips on Quebec’s marked trails and glades to raids in a national park or on-mountain, it’s a sport for the whole family, as well as avid adventurers who aren’t afraid of winter. Quebec’s snowshoe trails are renowned for their vast forests, mountainous landscapes and stunning vistas. There’s simply no reason to stay indoors this winter! Strap on your snowshoes ? a beautiful world awaits outdoors.

See the scenery from an highly original angle on our exciting winter via-ferrata. With certified guides, fly down a steel cable along a rocky and icy face in complete safety. A mix between hiking and ice climbing, this new activity is practised in few sites. Beginners and experts, this outdoor activity delivers an exciting new experience, unlike any other. And all our members have Quality-Safety Accreditation so you can live an outdoor adventure with peace of mind.

Quebec's snowy winters should not stop you from going sea kayaking! Winter sea kayaking is a unique experience during which you can discover all the beauty of Quebec's clear icy waters. Be one of the few who still hop into a kayak to enjoy out great outdoors and have one of the most enjoyable paddles of your life. Not to worry, dressed with warm clothes, winter kayaking is as safe as kayaking in summer. Naviguate along our shorelines featuring ice formations and appreciate a great moment with friends and family. Try it out and let our passionate guides take care of the rest.

Do you want to feel like you're flying over a snowy landscape? Clinging to a zip line, become an acrobat of the void and fly over the frosty winter scenery. Even in winter, suspended from the void by a cable, the zip line will provide you with unique thrills in a very safe environment. From one summit to the other, from one zip line to the other, you will fly at full speed. Smiles guaranteed!