Driving into Quebec City we were met with snow covered porches, walking into the old city was like walking into a snow globe with cobble stones streets and European style buildings. What they say about Quebec City is true, it is the closest you come to Europe in North America. The setting and the inhabitants make this an European style vacation, an added bonus is we get to practice French while we stroll around Quebec city in a winter wonderland.
1) Toboggan Slide Au 1884
Toboggan Slide Au 1884 is one of the oldest attractions in Quebec City, people have been sledding for over hundred years. It is nestled close to the hotel Le Chateau Frontenac on the Dufferin Terrance with a view of the Saint Lawrence River. The Toboggan Slide Au 1884 is open from mid-December until mid-March or however long the weather cooperates with sledding. There is a charge for each ride.
2) Go skating and skiing at the Plains of Abraham
Catch a bus to the Plains of Abraham and go for a skate or ski. Don’t worry if you don’t have equipment you can rent equipment for a fee at the warming hut We opted to cross-country ski at Plains of Abraham and enjoyed skiing in the urban forest with a view of the Saint Lawrence River from the The Plains of Abraham pavilion and back to the warming hut. The trails are free to use.
3) Skate at Place D’Youville skating rink
Skate in the Old city, with the walls of the old city as your backdrop. This skating rink is free to use and offers rentals for skates.
4) Visit Hotel de Glace
Visit North America’s only Ice hotel, you don’t have to stay here to get a tour of the hotel. We opted to take a shuttle there from the Old city. The Hotel De Glace did not disappoint, all ages will enjoy a visit here. Kids will enjoy sliding down the ice slide and looking at the ice sculptors. We were imaging how fun it would be to spend a night at this hotel.
Adults: $23.99 Kids: $18.99
5) Take the ferry over to Levis and see the ice cracks in the Saint Lawrence River
There is something magical ab
out Saint Lawrence River in the winter and hearing the cracks as the ferry crushes the ice. It also provides a great opportunity to talk to the kids about the Saint Lawrence River and the ships that are coming from the ocean on this river. Bonus, it also provides an amazing view of Quebec City. Round Trip: Adults 16-64 $7.30, Kids 6-15 $4.90, Children 0-5 Free.
6) Le Chateau Frontenac
Known to be the most photographed hotel in the world. Le Chateau Frontenac was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1893. This hotel is worth a visit, go inside and have a look around, have a hot chocolate in one of the cafes or at the Starbucks down in the basement. Free to visit.
7) Window shopping in Quarter Petit Champlain
Stroll and maybe shop at one of the cute stores at Quarter Petit Champlain. Sit down and relax in front of a fire in one of the winter stations with a hot chocolate.
8) Pretend to be a local and visit the “Aquarium du Quebec “
This is a must visit for locals in the winter. Hotels advertise package deals with a stay at hotel and a visit to the Aquarium. We loved to visit this aquarium and spent almost a day here. We especially loved the hands-on activities with stingrays and sea urchins.
Admission
Adults: $20.50
Kids: $18.50
9) Winter Festival
Perhaps one of the largest winter festivals in the world. Every year in February visitors come to Quebec City by the thousands, with many cool winter activities. We have not yet visited but it is defiantly on our bucket list.
10 Sample “Tire sur Neige” (taffy in the snow)
“Tire sur Neige” (taffy in snow) originates from Quebec, so having maple taffy while you are in Quebec City is a must . We had our Tire Sur Neige at the ice hotel but there are plenty of opportunities to have it in Quebec City too.
How to dress for the weather in Quebec City.
Winter in Quebec City is snowy and can be pretty cold with temperatures that are often below -10 C ( -15 F) so this is definitly a destination for people that like winter. As long as you dress for it you will be fine, as we say no bad weather only bad clothing.
This is how to dress for winter in Quebec City.
Wear a middle layer must be warm and insulating – suitable for low-level activities as well as for high activities.
Wear an outer layer (jacket and snow pants) should be windproof, water-resistant but still allow water vapor to escape
Always wear hat Always wear a hat; the head will lose a lot of body heat. A hat should be windproof and cover the ears. Also insure you cover your neck. We love to use mock turtlenecks instead of scarves.
Boots and wool socks : Make sure the feet are covered with good socks (wool, blend or synthetic fiber) and that the boots are big enough so they can wiggle their feet. Make sure the boots are waterproof.
Optimal materials for inner layer and middle layer
1.Merino wool
2.Synthetic fiber
3.Blend of wool and synthetic fiber
“ Last March break my husband had some work in Quebec as a director of photography and we decided to follow him as a family. Tourism Quebec provided some free activities and us with a passbook of great suggestions. I would like to thank Tourism Quebec and my husband’s clients. It is perhaps one of the best and unique getaways we have had without costing us an arm and leg. A reminder that trips can be done affordably if you are resourceful and use opportunities that come your way”.-Kari
