Winter tourism in Quebec beyond the Carnival: ice fishing, sledding, and ice

April 29, 2026Carrera Café

❖ WINTER IN QUEBEC

Winter tourism in Quebec beyond the Carnival: ice fishing, sledding, and ice

Winter in Quebec is much more than a carnival. Valcartier Vacation Village, Ice Hotel, ice fishing on the river, snowshoe hikes, dog sledding in the Laurentians... Quebec winter is a season of intense and authentic pleasures, off the beaten path.

Valcartier Vacation Village

The largest slide park in America

20 minutes from Quebec, Valcartier is the temple of winter activities. Tube slides, giant skating rink, outdoor hot water pools... A concentration of pleasures for the whole family.

Nordic spa

Valcartier Nordic Spa

After sliding, Valcartier's Nordic spa offers hot baths, saunas, and outdoor hot tubs. The contrast between the cold air and the warmth of the water is a unique sensory experience. The reward after the effort, like a well-deserved podium.

Type

Nordic spa

Season

December to March

Ice Hotel

A night in a sculpture

Every winter, the Ice Hotel is completely rebuilt with ice and snow. Sleeping in a room sculpted from ice is an extraordinary experience, to be lived at least once.

Visits

Visit without sleeping

It is possible to visit the Ice Hotel without staying overnight. Visit tickets allow exploring the sculptures, the ice bar, and artistic installations. An experience accessible to all, ideal before or after a day outdoors in Valcartier.

Size

Daytime or overnight visit

Reservation

Mandatory

Ice fishing

On the frozen Saint Lawrence

Ice fishing on the Saint Lawrence River or nearby lakes is a lively Quebec tradition. Heated cabins, taut lines, meditative waiting... An authentically northern experience.

Tradition

Cabin villages

On the shore of the Saint Lawrence, in Portneuf, Beauport, and the Laurentians, ice fishing cabin villages set up every winter. Rent a heated cabin for the day, drill a hole in the ice, and wait... The Quebecois zen version.

Species

Walleye, perch, cisco

Season

January to March

Guided

Guided excursions

Several outfitters around Quebec offer guided ice fishing excursions, with all equipment provided. Ideal for beginners or families wanting to discover this tradition without complex logistics. A route with technical support.

Size

Half-day or full day

Equipment

Provided

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

Quebec trails in winter

The parks and forests around Quebec offer hundreds of kilometers of trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A gentle and immersive way to experience Quebec winter.

Park

Jacques-Cartier National Park

45 minutes from Quebec, Jacques-Cartier National Park offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails in breathtaking snowy valley landscapes. Wildlife is often visible in winter, including moose and river otters.

Distance

45 min from Quebec

Activities

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Skiing

Mont Sainte-Anne in winter

Mont Sainte-Anne, 40 minutes from Quebec, is the region's reference ski area. 71 slopes, alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark, and cross-country skiing around the massif. The winter version of a route you never tire of exploring.

Slopes

71 slopes

Distance

40 min from Quebec

✦ Barista's tip

Before heading out for a day of skiing or snowshoeing, stop by Carrera Cafe for a double espresso and a warm pastry. The acids of specialty coffee awaken the palate, caffeine prepares the body. And on the way back, a hot latte is the best reward after a day in the powder.

After the effort, Carrera Cafe

The après-ski ritual of Petit-Champlain

Every great day of winter adventure deserves a reward worthy of it. Carrera Cafe is the perfect stop to close a white day with coffee and treats.

★ Après ski

Cappuccino and Italian warmth

After a day on the slopes of Mont Sainte-Anne or in the Jacques-Cartier trails, a creamy cappuccino at Carrera Cafe is exactly what you need. Italian warmth against Nordic cold: the best pairing of the season.

Coffee

Cappuccino

Season

Winter

Board

Gourmet and comforting board

A board of organic Charlevoix charcuterie and local cheeses after an active day. Physical effort deserves quality. It's the podium of après-ski nutrition, Petit-Champlain style.

Size

Full board

Pairing

Cortado or flat white

Hot chocolate

Artisanal chocolate and cold outside

Our homemade hot chocolate, made with quality dark chocolate, is the ultimate drink for winter returns. Thick, intense, comforting. The kind of cup that instantly makes you forget the minus twenty outside.

Drink

Artisanal hot chocolate

Moment

Outdoor return

Evening

Espresso on a winter evening

Old Quebec under the snow in the evening is magical. A strong espresso while watching the flakes fall on Petit-Champlain is one of the simplest and most perfect pleasures of Quebec winter. A few minutes of peace before hitting the road again.

Coffee

Espresso

Atmosphere

Winter evening

Start and end your winter here

Whether you're heading to Valcartier, Jacques-Cartier, or ice fishing, Carrera Cafe is your base. Morning espresso for energy, evening cappuccino for comfort. Quebec winter, Italian style.

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