Quebec, Canada, is such a magical and underrated winter destination. You don’t need to travel all the way to Scandinavia to experience bucket list adventures like sleeping in an ice hotel or dog sledding through a snowy forest. You can do all of that and more right here in North America, and it’s less than a 2-hour flight from New York City!
My friend and I decided to take a girls trip here, and as we started planning this trip, we were surprised to find so many unique experiences in and around Quebec City. We put together the ultimate 5-day itinerary packed with unforgettable adventures, so keep reading for the perfect way to experience Quebec in the winter!
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The Perfect 5 Day Quebec Winter Itinerary
Table of Contents
- Day 1: Montreal
- Day 2: Domaine Enchanteur, Regional Natural Park of Portneuf, & Hรดtel de Glace
- Day 3: Dog Sledding & Old Quebec City
- Day 4: Ice Canoeing, Chutes Jean-Larose Falls, & Drive to Montreal
- Day 5: Montreal & Travel Day
Day 1: Montreal
We flew into Montreal, picked up our rental car, and checked into the Marriott Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel. The hotel was beautiful, and we loved its central location within walking distance of many of the cityโs top attractions.
We were hoping to have time to explore the city, but we landed later than expected due to a flight delay. We walked across the street and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Pizzeria Moretti before calling it a night.
If you arrive earlier in the day, here are a few must-see spots in downtown Montreal:
- Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal): This preserved historic district is filled with 16th-century architecture, cobblestone lanes, and cozy cafes. Rue Saint-Paul is the oldest and one of the most iconic streets in Montreal. Be sure to stop for a photo at Maison Pepin, the cutest little alley in Old Montreal!
- Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel: The oldest chapel in Montreal, famous for the miniature boats hanging from the ceiling.
- Notre Dame Basilica: The gorgeous 19th-century Gothic Revival church is where Celine Dion was married. The impressive interior features intricate wood carvings, stained-glass windows, and a 7,000-pipe organ.
- BAnQ Montreal: Don’t miss this gorgeous hidden library!
- Place d’Armes: This 17th-century square is lined with stately historic buildings.
- Saint Sulpician Seminary: Take a tour of the oldest building still standing in Montreal, dating back to 1684.
- Pointe-ร -Calliรจre Museum: Discover a hidden world beneath the streets of Montreal. Take a tour of the old 1800s collector sewer that has been transformed into an immersive art experience.
- Chinatown: Explore the food scene in Chinatown, and order dragon beard candy from the food stand located at 52B de la Gauchetiรจre Ouest. This is one of the only places outside of Hong Kong where you can get this candy.
- European-style food markets: The best food markets in Montreal include Jean-Talon, Marche Atwater, Marche Bonsecours, and Marche Maisonneuve.
- Crew Collective & Cafe: Enjoy brunch at this gorgeous cafe.
- Chateau Defresne: Take a tour of this 1900s mansion. It’s a bit of a Montreal hidden gem!
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Church: This lesser-known church is filled with beautiful sculptures and stunning architecture.
Day 2: Domaine Enchanteur, Regional Natural Park of Portneuf, & Hรดtel de Glace
After grabbing breakfast at the hotel, we headed out on the 3-hour drive to Quebec City with a few stops along the way.
Domaine Enchanteur
Our first stop was at Domaine Enchanteur, about halfway between Montreal and Quebec.
Domaine Enchanteur’s main focus is agritourism, particularly beekeeping. However, in the winter months, it transforms into a magical wonderland with 3km of ice skating trails that weave through the Canadian forest.
As if the forest ice skating trail isn’t dreamy enough, they also have the cutest little animals that you can stop and feed along the way. It’s like something straight out of a fairytale!
The ice skating season usually runs from mid-December through mid-March, and it is open daily from 9 am until 9 pm.
They also have designated fat tire bike and snowshoe trails, with all the equipment available for rent.
Regional Natural Park of Portneuf
After leaving Domaine Enchanteur, we drove for about 30 minutes to the Regional Natural Park of Portneuf. Here, we took the Sainte-Anne River Gorge Trail to the most incredible frozen waterfall.
The Sainte-Anne River Gorge Trail is an easy 3.3-mile trail, but you only have to walk about 0.5 miles to reach the frozen waterfall. You’ll find a side trail on the right just after crossing the bridge that leads down to the waterfall.
The frozen waterfall is such a natural wonder, and it was an incredible experience to walk behind a waterfall that had literally been frozen in time.
It is quite slippery walking up behind the waterfall, so crampons are highly recommended.
If you have time, you can complete the full trail. We were racing against daylight, so after exploring behind the waterfall, playing on the ice slides, and taking countless pictures, we headed back on the road.
For more details and information, see our Frozen Waterfall Hiking Guide.
Hรดtel de Glace
Hรดtel de Glace is the first and only ice hotel in North America, and it is one of the most unique places we’ve ever stayed!
This architectural masterpiece is rebuilt entirely from snow and ice each year and is open for just a few months during the winter. Inside, youโll find intricately carved ice suites, a chapel, a bar (serving drinks in ice glasses!), and even an ice slide.
It does stay a chilly 25ยฐF inside the hotel, but the Nordic sleeping bags kept us surprisingly warm. If you’re nervous about spending the night in the cold, your reservation at the ice hotel also includes the key to a regular hotel room at Hรดtel Valcartier, located at the same property.
Guests also have access to hot tubs and a sauna, which was a relaxing way to warm up.
For a more detailed review of our experience, see our guide What It’s Really Like to Stay at Quebec’s Ice Hotel.
Day 3: Dog Sledding & Old Quebec City
We started the morning off with a nice soak in the hot tub before heading back out in the cold! Quebec City was our final destination, but we had one more adventure along the way.
Dog Sledding with La Meute Nocturne
I remember watching the movie, Balto, as a kid, and wanting nothing more than to ride in a dog sled. Thirty years later, I finally made that childhood dream become a reality, and I loved every minute of it!
There are several dog sled companies around Quebec City, but after doing some research, we decided to go with La Meute Nocturne, and we had such a great experience. This small family-owned company is run by two brothers who love their dogs and are passionate about what they do.
Before the tour, we had time to meet and interact with the pack. They were the sweetest dogs and stole our hearts.
We had a safety briefing and instruction, because on this tour, you’ll actually be the ones driving the sleds! There is some technique, skill, and strength involved with driving, but it’s such an unforgettable experience.
The ride lasts about 50 minutes, and there’s time to warm up in the heated tent with hot drinks afterwards.
La Meute Nocturne is typically open from December through mid-March, depending on the weather conditions.
Earlier in the season, the trees are thicker with leaves and covered in snow, which adds another layer of magic. We went in February, and the trees were pretty barren, but it was still beautiful and so much fun!
Old Quebec City
We fell in love with Quebec City the moment we set foot onto its charming cobblestone streets. This is the first and oldest French colonial settlement in North America, and it has a distinct Parisian feel.
We explored the shops on Rue du Petit Champlain, the cutest street in Old Quebec.
We stopped for traditional maple taffy sticks at La Petite Cabane ร Sucre, homemade fudge at La Fudgerie, and hot cocoa and pastries at Le Petit Dep.
From Rue du Petit Champlain, we took the historic funicular up to Dufferin Terrace, where we rode the Au 1884 Toboggan Slide.
This wooden ice track has been entertaining visitors since 1884, and it was so much fun! We reached speeds of up to 43 mph while going down the 800-foot slide.
Afterwards, we walked around the Fairmont Le Chรขteau Frontenac Hotel. This 700,000 square foot castle-like hotel is considered the most photographed hotel in the world. It was built in 1893 and is absolutely stunning on the inside and out.
We walked back down to the Lower Town and stopped at the Breakneck Steps, one of the most Instagrammable spots in Old Town, then grabbed dinner at Saprisiti Bistro Bar.
We then stopped by Place Royal, the cutest historic town square. It feels like it belongs in a storybook!
Our accommodations for the night were only a few steps from Place Royal at Les Lofts Notre-Dame. I’m so glad we stumbled across this place when planning our trip, it’s such a gem! The apartment is so spacious, clean, modern, and reasonably priced. And you really can’t be the location in the heart of Old Quebec!
For more recommendations in Quebec City, see our guide The Best Things to Do in Quebec City This Winter.
Day 4: Ice Canoeing, Chutes Jean-Larose Falls, & Drive to Montreal
We woke up early the next morning to explore the streets without the crowds. It was worth the early (and cold) wake-up call to experience the empty streets bathed in the early morning light.
Ice Canoeing
Our next winter adventure was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. In fact, this is the only place in the world where you can try the sport of ice canoeing!
Ice Canoeing dates back to the 1600s as a means for early settlers to transport goods and people across the frozen St. Lawrence River. Today, guests can experience this adrenaline-filled activity with Canot ฤ Glace.
We started our morning adventure by getting suited up in special gear designed to keep us dry and warm. We had a safety briefing and demonstration, and then it was time to launch our canoe into the freezing river.
For the next hour and a half, we alternated between paddling in the open water and scootering across ice floes as we made our way upriver. It was a lot more physically challenging than I had expected, but also so exhilarating!
At the halfway point, we stopped for a hot cocoa and snack break. It was so surreal to be standing in the middle of the frozen river, sipping hot chocolate!
We made our way back and ended the tour by warming up in the sauna overlooking the river. It was definitely an unforgettable experience!
Chutes Jean-Larose Falls
We had time for one last winter adventure before we had to head back to Montreal.
Our last destination was Chutes Jean-Larose Falls, another incredible frozen waterfall. It is located about 30 minutes from Quebec near the Mont Sainte-Anne ski resort.
We hiked the Chutes Jean-Larose Waterfall Trail in reverse so that we could reach the waterfall faster. It took us about 10 minutes to reach the top of the steep wooden staircase leading down to the base of the waterfall. The steps can be quite slippery, so wear crampons or microspikes.
Once we reached the bottom, we stood in amazement at the 224-foot-tall frozen waterfall covered in icicles and delicate ice formations.
You could even see sections where the waterfall was still flowing behind sheets of ice. It was incredible!
Drive to Montreal
We finished our hike just before the sun went down, then picked up McDonald’s in town before making the long drive back to Montreal in the dark.
We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Montreal Airport. It was clean, comfortable, and close to the airport. If you want to return your car that night to save extra money, the hotel has a free shuttle to and from the airport.
Day 5: Montreal & Travel Day
Unfortunately, we had an early morning flight the next day. However, if you have an evening flight, then I recommend staying at the Marriott Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel (where we stayed the first night), and then spend the day exploring the spots in the city that I previously recommended.
I was sad we didn’t have more time to spend in Montreal, it is such a cool city. We will definitely be back!
Final Thoughts
Quebec exceeded my expectations! From unique winter adventures to charming European-style cities, it offers an experience unlike anywhere else in North America.
I admit that I was a little nervous to leave my 70-degree weather in Arizona and head into sub-freezing temperatures. Honestly, when we were bundled up, it really wasn’t too bad. I’ve put together a packing list of everything I wore to stay warm on this trip, so hopefully that helps!
We visited in February, but I would love to come back during the holidays. I have a feeling that visiting Old Quebec during the Christmas season would feel like you stepped into a Hallmark movie.
I hope this guide has helped as you plan an unforgettable winter trip to Quebec!
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