A Wintry Quebec City Travel

If ever there was a destination that looked like it belonged in a snow globe, it would have to be Quebec City, Canada. While it feels like walking into a fairytale all year round, it really comes to life when the temperatures drop and snow blankets the streets. Rather than hide inside and bemoan the freezing weather, the Québécois embrace it with a kind of cheer that would make even the biggest snowbird reconsider their winter plans. Check below for all the information you need to truly embrace the sub-zero temperatures!

Catch our “Quebec City” episode below

Visiting Quebec City in the Winter

Where to Stay in Quebec City

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The most obvious answer is Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. If Quebec City belongs in a fairytale, this hotel is the castle that overlooks the whole town. Built in 1893, it seems older because it was inspired by French castles from the late Middle Ages. I first visited when I was nine, and I remember thinking it was the most beautiful building I’d ever seen! 

Hôtel de Glace

For a truly unique winter experience, stay in Hôtel de Glace overnight! It’s about 40 minutes by car from Quebec City, located in Village Vacances Valcartier, and is made entirely out of ice. Yes, entirely!

La Sainte Paix

For something more budget-friendly, look slightly out of Old Quebec. La Sainte Paix is a great hotel set in a former monastery and in the nearby Montcalm neighborhood. 

Ideas for What to Do in Quebec City in Winter

Check out Quebec City’s seasonal events.

Winter in Quebec City lasts from December to March. And while most destinations tend to experience a lull in activity once New Year’s is over, Quebec City is the opposite – it comes alive.

Come in December for the German Christmas Market, which is spread throughout Old Quebec. Then in January, Hôtel de Glace opens to the public. The Québec Winter Carnival and Pentathlon des Neiges are held in February, and in March, you can jam out to Igloofest.

Keep an eye out for Bonhomme!

This cheerful snowman (man of snow?) is the official mascot and ambassador of the Winter Carnival! You’ll see his likeness everywhere from statues to ice carvings but the real joy is seeing him in person. He’s always out and about, so just keep your eyes peeled. If you’re lucky, you might even get a hug.

Fine dine below Old Quebec.

Recently awarded two Michelin stars, Tanière³ is a 3.5-hour dining experience located within the cellars and vaults of a historic Old Quebec building on Rue Saint-Pierre. The whole goal is to enjoy your meal completely free from distractions. Their menu, which you’ll discover as you go, features ingredients found from local forages, raised by local farms, or grown by Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol’s childhood friend

Try your hand at ice canoeing.

Of all the outdoor winter activities to do in or near Quebec City, is there anything quite as quintessentially Québécois as ice canoeing? Its origins go way back to the city’s olden days when the only way to cross the Saint Lawrence River was by water. Back then, the river would be too frozen for ferries to get through but not frozen enough to walk across, so locals would get by with a combination of rowing and running with their canoes. 

These days we have a bridge to drive across but ice canoeing stays alive as a competitive sport. If you want to try it for yourself, check out Canot à Glace.

Wander through Petit-Champlain

Take the funicular from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and step 400 years back in time in the charming district of Petit-Champlain. This is where the French first settled in North America, and it feels like you’re strolling through a storybook that starts with “Once upon a time…” Rue de Petit-Champlain in particular is straight out of a postcard, thanks to visionaries who saved it from being turned into a parking lot!

Check out the Semi-Frozen Montmorency Falls

For a scenic drive outside of the city, head over to Île d’Orléans. The island is quiet this time of year and perfect if you’re hoping to find peaceful, snowy landscapes. The most impressive, of course, is the semi-frozen Montmorency Falls.

Plus, while you’re here, you can…

Cozy up at Sugar Shack

For those of you waiting for me to mention maple syrup, this is the section for you. When it comes to winter in Quebec, the best place to cozy up is at a sugar shack (or cabane à sucre). These shacks were built near maple trees so that locals could collect sap and then boil it down into syrup. They’d go out during the day to collect maple water and then at night gather around for a huge, hearty meal. These days a classic, winter tradition. Come for a cozy meal (with maple syrup, of course), enjoy live music, and dance! On l’Île d’Orléans, check out Le Relais des Pins.

And for those of you who really love maple syrup, there is a museum you can visit to learn even more about this Canadian staple.

Speed down toboggan style on the Au 1884 Slide.

No wintry visit to Quebec City is complete without at least one ride down the Au 1884 Slide in an old school, wooden toboggan. It’s been a part of Dufferin Terrace since 1884 – pre-dating Château Frontenac. You can ride in a four-seater, but I think it’s much more fun to race your friend on the side-by-side runs!

Are there any more recommendations for winter in Quebec City? Let me know below!