Magical Things to Do in Quebec City in Winter (2025)

Heading to Quebec City in winter? Bienvenue. Quebec City is beautiful anytime in year, but winter is my favourite.

Quebec City is probably the most wintery, festive and cozy city to spend time in in the winter months.

I’ve been lucky to visit Quebec City in almost all seasons. There are a lot of things about winter in Quebec City that you can’t experience anywhere else in North America.

There tends to be more snow snowfall, ice buildings, carnival festivities, winter sports, European-style Christmas markets, cafés and Quebec comfort food and so much more.

So, allons-y – the best things to do in Quebec City in winter.

Best Things to Do in Quebec City in Winter

Here are the things you don’t want to miss out on during December, January, February and March in Quebec City

1. Visit the only Ice Hotel in North America

What’s more epic than exploring the one and only Ice Hotel in North America? Spending the night there, of course!

Thanks to its accessibility, this winter wonderland invites tourists not only from America and Canada but from around the world. 

An interesting fact about the ice hotel in Quebec City is that it’s made from scratch each year. This allows it to have different themes and ice sculptures all the time, so its unique from year to year.

The hotel is located at Village Vacances Valcartier, which is a 30-minute drive from Old Town in Quebec City. Vacances Valcartier is also known for its snow tube hills and waterpark, which we’ll touch on below.

Good to Know: The ice hotel generally opens from the beginning of January until the end of March (weather permitting), and a night here starts at $399 and $849 per room, depending on the size. They can be reserved on the Valcartier website here.

2. Visit the Ice Palace

Not planning to stay in the Ice Hotel? No problem. There’s actually something very similar to the ice hotel located right in Quebec City – its the ice palace.

The two can be confused in Google searches – but rest assured, there are two different ice structures in Quebec City- so you’re not completely missing out if you’re skipping the ice hotel. The two ice buildings are:

• the ice hotel (hôtel de glace) mentioned above
• the ice palace which is in the city centre and pictured below

The ice palace is what it sounds like – a palace made of ice, and its a feature of the winter carnival festival that happens every year in Quebec City. It’s called Palais de Bonhomme in French, which mean’s Snowman’s Castle.

The snowman is the mascot of the carnival, and the ice palace is his official residence since 1955.

The ice palace is normally up from January until March, weather pending. You can find it across from the Parliament Building near the Plains of Abraham (about a 15 minute walk from the Chateau Frontenac.)

3. Ride a historic wooden slide overlooking Old Town

Every winter in Quebec City, a large toboggan slide is set up on the Dufferin Terrace, near the Chateau Frontenac.

This toboggan slide has been running since 1834, which makes it over 130 years old. It’s also fast – you race down the hill at 70 km/hour (43.4 miles per hour)

The Dufferin Terrace toboggan slide is generally running from mid-December to mid-March, depending on the weather.

If you want to give it a try – simply go line up during opening times, which are usually 10am to 5pm daily. Toboggans are provided.

Good to Know: It costs $4 per person to go down the slide, or $12 for a group of 4. Children under 10 need to be accompanied by an adult, and toddlers under 3 are free.

4. Try downhill skiing or snowboarding

Quebec should be your next winter destination if you’re a big fan of winter sports. While Montreal is typically more frequented by skiers and snowboarders, there are some great hills outside Quebec City too.

The fact that the capital of Quebec sees an average annual snowfall of about 124 inches, makes it a perfect (and generally reliable) destination to try downhill skiing or snowboarding. 

If you’re wondering which ski centre to visit, I recommend you check out Centre de Ski Le Relais, which is just a 20 minute drive from downtown Quebec City.

Centre de Ski Le Relais is one of the oldest hills Quebec City, but it offers a total of 33 slopes, ranging from beginner to advanced, as well as snow school for children. 

5. See Montmorency Falls covered in snow

Montmorency Falls is a beautiful waterfall and provincial park just 11 km (6.8 miles) from downtown Quebec City. They stand even taller than Niagara Falls at 272 feet tall.

You can visit Montmorency Falls year round, but there are some extra things to know about visiting in winter.

Montmorency Falls is always open to visitors, but the extra services (such as the cable car, paid parking lots) are closed at certain times of the year.

When we visited Montmorency Falls in winter, our visit was free because the services were closed. We were able to park for free at the Monoir Montmorency, which tends to be open year round (check for free parking there if you’re coming when services are closed.)

Generally, the facilities at Parc Montmorency are closed in the months leading up to Christmas, open for a couple weeks, and then close in the new year for another month. Their website will have the up to date information about open dates.

I personally would recommend visiting Montmorency Falls regardless of the time of year; the views are beautiful. We chose to drive our rental car, but if you’re not renting a car, then there are a few other ways to get to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City, including a private tour.

Book a year-round private tour to Montmorency Falls (and St Anne de Beaupré) for $85 per person for a 4.5 hour excursion

6. Try maple taffy

Maple taffy (called tire d’érable in French) is a typical staple in Quebec that involves using boiled maple syrup with snow to make a maple lollipop.

Some cafés and candy stores in Old Town make these maple taffies right outside their storefront, in a tray of snow, as in the photo below. You can then pay around $5-$7 (it varies) per lollipop to be able to try it.

If you like the taste of maple syrup, then you will enjoy the maple taffy. You can buy them prepackaged in stores, which might make a nice Canadian souvenir. But if you’re lucky, you can catch them when they’re being made fresh outside of a storefront in Old Town.

When we were in Quebec City in winter, they were making them outside of a café on Rue Petit Champlain. My daughters were so excited to wait there and try one. We bought three of them, and it didn’t take long for them to be devoured!

7. Go snow tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier

It seems like there’s no end to the snow activity suggestions. Well, that’s the beauty of planning a trip to Quebec City in winter!

For those of you who haven’t heard about Village Vacances Valcartier before, it’s a large snow park home to the famous Quebec City Ice Hotel. 

The most popular activity at Village is snow tubing, which is ideal for those looking for some winter entertainment and thrill. There’s also a large indoor waterpark, similar to Great Wolf Lodge, which is great for those in Quebec City with kids.

Village Vacances Valcartier is a 30-minute drive from Quebec City, so you would need to drive or take an Uber. Once you’re there, you could spend a night or two taking advantage of the snow tube terrain and the indoor water park.

8. Do public ice skating 

Most public ice rinks start opening up in Quebec City in December; and best of all -there’s no admission fee for the skating! (You just have to pay to rent skates.)

My favourite ice rink in Quebec City is at Place d’Youville (where many events are held, year round.) I love the atmosphere there with the old fortified walls and tower in the background. We skated almost every evening in Quebec City in December.

Here are your options for ice skating in Quebec City:

• Place d’Youville opens in early December, and open from open from 10am until 8pm on weekdays, and 10pm on weekends. Check the City of Quebec website to ensure it hasn’t closed due to unfavourable weather. You can also view the lifestream of Place d’Youville here.
• Plaines d’Abraham opens in mid-December. It is more of a skating path, so its best if you only want to skate in one direction. More info here.

9. Celebrate ‘Carnaval de Québec’

The two most popular times to visit Quebec City in winter are the Christmas season, and in February for the Carnaval de Quebec.

Carnaval (as its usually called) is the largest winter festival in the world, and probably the most important festivals in Quebec City. It’s the city’s annual celebration of winter, filled with snow activities, ice sculptures, games and more.

At Carnaval, there are:

• parades, and costume parties
• snow games and tournaments
• snow sculptures, including the ice palace mentioned above
• visits from Bonhomme (the snowman, Carnaval’s mascot)

Canadian kids from country wide grow up learning about Quebec City’s carnaval in school -thats how iconic and special this celebration is. If you want to visit Quebec City during Carnaval, I recommend booking places to stay early to ensure you get your pick.

Usually, Carnaval lasts for 2 weeks; from the end of January up until the middle of February. However, I recommend checking on the Carnaval official website for particular dates and event-specific information because they have different activities on different dates.

10. Enjoy traditional Quebec winter comfort food

Quebec City, being a generally cold climate, has excellent comfort food to enjoy in the winter.

Two very traditional dishes are: crêpes and poutine. Both of these are staples in Quebec City and can be found in many restaurants.

Crepes can be either savoury or sweet (as in photos shown above.) My favourite place to find crepes are at Le Billig Creperie; the atmosphere is inside is very chic and the owners learned age-old techniques of making crepes in France, where they’re from. It’s a great restaurant for families in Quebec City, as well as couples and friends.

While both crepes and poutines are eaten year-round, they’re particularly suited to cold weather.

If you plan to try poutine in Quebec City and want to know the best place to find it, read my post on the best poutines in Quebec City.

11. Walk down the lit up Cartier street

Rue Cartier is an artsy street in Quebec City known for its 33 different lanterns. Winter is particularly a good time to explore this street, because it gets darker earlier- allowing you to admire the lanterns.

Each lantern is decorated with a design by a Quebecois artists. Along the street, you can also find many restaurants, bars, and shops.

Pro Tip: Cartier street is about a 15 minute walk from Old Town, but its just a stone’s throw from the Musée de Beaux Arts, so it pairs well with a visit to the fine arts museum. We visited the museum during the day, and then by nightfall we walked down Cartier street – perfect way to catch it when its dark and you can enjoy the lantern.s

12. Get a bird’s eye view of Quebec City covered in snow

The Observatoire de La Capitale (Obsevatory on the capital. – the capital being Quebec City) is an underrated Quebec City attraction and particularly special in the winter.

The observatoire is the tallest building in Quebec City, and gives you 360 views around the city -which is beautiful under a blanket of snow.

When we arrived at the observatoire, we just had to show our bookings, and were then welcomed to hang up our coats. After that, we made a journey around the building, enjoying the views and reading facts about Quebec City and about Canada on the walls.

Not only do you escape the cold for an hour or so – but you learn more about Quebec City, and get to see it from an unusual view that most people miss! We spent about an hour there.

Tickets to the Observatoire de la Capitale need to be booked in advance on the official website. You pick a time, and show up at the beginning of that slot.

13. Beat the cold by riding the historic funicular

Like the toboggan slide, the funicular in Quebec City is also a historic machine that is over 100 years old. (Except the funicular, unlike the toboggan, runs year round.)

The funicular is right in front of the Chateau Frontenac, and takes you into the lower part of Old Town where you can find the oldest part of the city – cobbled alleyways, a 400 year old church, and lots of shopping.

You get nice views of Old Town as you descend (or ascend) in the funicular.

You don’t have to take the funicular, there are staircases nearby that will take you into the lower part of town too. Each time you ride the funicular costs $5 per person, so it can add up quickly if you’re going back and forth a lot.

However, I would recommend riding the funicular at least once or twice for the experience!

We rode the funicular during the day, but also during the evening. It was nice to get two different views from the top as we rode up or down.

14. Go sledding with some friendly dogs

If you’re looking for a fun outdoor winter activity in Quebec City that will allow you to admire the snowy landscapes, and participate in an ancestral sport – then you might be interested in dog sledding.

By booking a dog-sledding activity, you’ll get a chance to explore the icy scenery of Quebec City while being boarded on a husky-drawn sled.

For the adventurous at heart, there are many dog sledding tours to choose from. Being someone who is apprehensive about the treatment of animals, I think that Passion Husky (in Levis, just 25 minutes from Quebec City) has happy huskies that enjoy pulling the sled.

One thing I like about Passion Husky is that they have weather appropriate activities with the huskies year-round. While these furry friends love to run through the snow, they like to stay cool in the summer.

The experienced instructors will keep you company throughout the tour, giving you insightful tips and introducing you to some fun facts about the region.

15. Go cross-country skiing

Looking for more ideas on how to spend your free time in winter in Quebec City? I suggest adding cross country skiing to your list of possibilities.

As a Canadian, cross country skiing is one of my favourite winter activities that I’ve grown up with. You get to enjoy the snow-covered forest, the fresh air, and some exercise.

The best place to cross country ski near Quebec City is at Ski de Fond Charlesbourg, which just 15 minutes from downtown.

Ski de Fond Charlesbourg offers 15 different cross-country skiing trails. If you’re looking for an easy going way to get outdoors and embrace winter, then cross country skiing is it. It’s suited to both beginners and advanced, and people of all ages.

16. Cozy up in a café or boulangerie

I’ve already encouraged you to start your day with a cup of coffee or tea, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a hot drink throughout the day!

There are so many comfy cafes and boulangeries (bakeries) around Quebec City, each inviting you to enjoy its inside while indulging in a warm delight.

Since we were in Quebec City in December, we were looking for lots of ways to warm up during the day. Coffee, hot chocolate and pastries were the perfect answer. In a boulangerie, you can find some pastries that would also be typical of France, such as:

• fresh baked croissants
• pain au chocolat
• sandwiches on fresh baguette + many other types of pastries

For those who are spending their first winter in Quebec City, I definitely recommend you visit a boulangerie at least once. These French-style bakeries will win you over, and warm you up before you head back out into the cold.

Good to Know: The above photos were taken at Le Grand Marché, which is a large indoor food market (which I’d recommend if you have a car.) However, if you don’t have a car, then there are some great cafés and bakeries in Old Town.

17. Do a winter-inspired Quebec City food tour

Just as carnival events are part of people’s culture, food also represents an essential aspect.

Although you can taste the native cuisine whenever you visit Quebec City, what will elevate your experience even more is if you try some of the winter specialties.

And is there a better way to warm up in winter than by enjoying some hot food served in some of the coziest restaurants in town? 

Some of the dishes that are typically offered in Quebec City food tours are traditional pea soup, fondue, poutine and crepes, and hot chocolate, the delicious food will make exploring Quebec City in winter a pure delight. 

And for those who want to create a whole experience out of it, I recommend checking out this food tour!

Book your (daytime) Quebec City food tour here

18. Warm up to saunas and hot tubs at a nordic spa

If you’re looking forward to spending some time relaxing and unwinding, dedicating a day at a Nordic spa is the ideal way to enhance your stay in Quebec City in winter.

There are the two Nordic spas best enjoyed by the locals and tourists – Strøm Spa and Sky Spa.

Although both resorts offer an under-the-sky experience, the main difference is the setting.

Strøm Spa is just a few steps away from the St. Lawrence River (and much closer to Old Town) whereas Sky Spa allows you to relax in a more urban environment.

19. Take leisurely walks around Old Town

Regardless of the season you’re in Quebec City, I always recommend setting aside some time just to walk around the Old Town.

Quebec City’s Old Town (called Vieux Québec in French) is 400 years old, is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and is as close you can get to feeling like you’re in Europe while still being in North America.

Place Royal (pictured above) is the oldest settlement in Quebec, and has the oldest stone church in North America.

Rue Petit Champlain is the most picturesque street in Quebec City. It has art galleries, cafés, boutique shops, and restaurants – plenty of places to duck into if you’re cold.

You can walk around Old Town leisurely like we did. We were with our kids, and pushing a stroller, and still never tired of the beautiful, romantic setting.

If you want to learn more about Quebec’s history – consider booking a walking tour with a local guide, which run year round.

20. Escape the cold at one of Quebec’s fascinating museums

Being the oldest city in Canada, Quebec has a lot of history and culture, so there are some great museums to allow you to explore.

• Musée de Civilization – located right in Old Town, very family friendly and great for all ages. (Without kids, we would have spent much more time than with.)
• Musée des Beaux Arts -bit of a walk from Old Town, it would take 20 minutes. Great way to look at art exhibits of Canadian, Quebecois and indigenous art. Also, has great gift shop on-site

21. See the Quebec City skyline from the ferry

While boat cruises in Quebec City aren’t running anymore in the winter, you can still hop on the ferry to Levis.

Levis is a city opposite Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River.

The ferry to Levis runs every hour, is only $12, and takes 10 minutes to cross the river. So, you don’t need to set aside too much time in order to take the ferry across.

You can literally take the ferry across for the view, and then take the next one back once you reach Levis. (This is what we decided to do, because of our itinerary, we didn’t have enough time to explore Levis on that day.)

If you want to hop on the ferry for these great views, you can book your ticket in advance on their website, or show up in person. (The ferry is rarely full.)

Pro Tip: It can be very cold and windy on the ferry deck on the way to Levis, make sure you dress warmly.

22. Get into the Christmas spirt

Quebec City is has a lot of special events and activities leading up to the Christmas season. The decorations go up soon after the fall season, and remain up until the early New Year.

There is a large German style Christmas market, visits with Santa, and beautiful holiday decorations and music throughout the city.

Being the oldest city in North America, Quebec City resembles a European city lit up with Christmas lights, and the little wooden kiosks at the market.

To experience the best of Christmas in Quebec City, you would need to visit sometime between mid November and mid-December, as most of the Christmas markets close on December 23rd.

23. Do a snowshoeing tour

I’m going to finish this guide on the best things to do in winter in Quebec City with yet another adventurous activity – snowshoeing.

Booking a snowshoeing tour will allow you to witness the most magnificent parts of Quebec City. The hike leads among beautiful trails through Jacques-Cartier National Park but be prepared to spend around 6 hours on this activity.

Moreover, it’s also possible to go snowshoeing at Montmorency Falls, but make sure to check for available tours and book this winter experience beforehand.

Check availability for the snowshoeing tour in Jacques Caritier National Park here

Where to Stay in Quebec City in Winter

Here are the best places to stay in Quebec City that are close to attractions (to minimize your time walking around in Quebec City in the cold)

• Budget: Auberge International de Quebec A hostel located right in Old Town, steps away from attractions. It has both dorms, as well as private rooms
• Mid-Range: Hotel Manoir de l’Esplanade Historic, stone-wall building right in Old Town – a free breakfast is included
• Luxury: Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac There is no place more special to stay in Quebec City that the famous chateau in the heart of Old Town, overlooking the river

What to Pack for Quebec City in Winter

With winter temperatures averaging between -15

• A warm winter coat, and layers underneath, such as a hoodie or turtle neck
• A touque as we call it in Canada (or beanie if you’re American)
• A reusable shopping bag; single use plastics are being phased out in Canada
• Warm mitts and scarf
• Decent winter hiking boots or shoes that are waterproof. I use hiking boots like these for all the walking in Old Town
• Lip balm and a small hand cream – the cold air can really dry out your skin and lips

How do you get around Quebec City in the winter?

Old Quebec City is very walkable, and you can easily get around on foot.

If you plan to visit places in the outskirts of Quebec City (such as Montmorency Falls or the Vacances Valcartier) then you’ll need to either drive, or take an Uber.

We found that the taxi services in Quebec City were not very well rated or reliable, so we didn’t use one.

For getting to and from the airport, you can either rent a car (you can rent from Budget or Enterprise at the airport) or you can book a private transfer.

Winter in Quebec City By Month

Here’s what you need to know about each of the winter months in Quebec City

Quebec City in December

Average temperature: between -3°C (26°F) and -10°C (14°F)

Quebec City in December typically has snow, and there’s x chance of a white Christmas. Holiday decorations go up mid-November and generally stay up until the new year. The Christmas markets usually run until December 23rd.

Quebec City in January

Average temperature: -6°C (21.2°F) to -15°C (5°F)

January is typically the coldest month in Quebec City. While the holiday festivities have been cleared away, you can enjoy other features such as the ice hotel, Dufferin terrace toboggan slide, and other winter activities.

Quebec City in February

Average temperature: -4°C (24.8°F) to -13°C (8.6°F)

The start of February is typically when the iconic Carnaval de Quebec is on, so February tends to be a very popular time to visit Quebec City – for locals and tourists.

Quebec City in March

Average temperature: 1°C (33°F ) to -8°C (17.6°F)

March in Quebec City is still chilly, but it starts to warm up quite a bit. There is often still snow on the ground and the skating rinks are usually still open until mid-October. St. Patrick’s Day and Easter are celebrated in Quebec, so you may get to enjoy these festivities in March.

Quebec City in Winter FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about taking a winter vacation Quebec City and how cold Quebec City in winter gets

Is it worth visiting Quebec City in winter?

Quebec City is absolutely worth visiting in winter. In fact, next to summer – I believe winter is the best time to visit Quebec City, because of the unique attractions that can’t be found anywhere else in North America.

Is Québec City too cold?

Winters in Quebec City typically range from -15°C (5°F) to 1°C (33°F). However, it can sometimes get warmer. Late 2023 and early 2023 was warmer than usual, which affected some of the winter activities in Quebec City, such as the ice palace. However, for the most part – the snow came and went from November through to March and is likely to every year.

Final Thoughts on Winter in Quebec City

With special winter festivals, warming winter comfort food, a ton of snowfall that allows for several different winter sports – Quebec City is the perfect winter destination to fall in love with winter, and experience French Canadian culture at its finest.

I believe I have let you in on the best things to do in Quebec City in winter. Not only are there are a number of great things to do during the months of December through February in Quebec City, but seeing the Old Town covered in snow is so beautiful.

I truly believe that if you’re someone who loves winter (like me) then you’ll fall in love with Quebec City in the snow, and enjoy taking part in the winter activities.