Winter in the city: 14 spots for outdoor fun

Winter is in full swing across Québec, including in our cities. As soon as the snow covers the sidewalks, the parks, docks, and trails are transformed into playgrounds where you can enjoy the scenery, slide, skate, walk, feast and take in the brisk air. 

There’s no need to head off to the mountains to enjoy it! Memorable experiences await, even a few steps from the heart of the city. To (re)discover Québec’s urban centres in all its winter splendour, here are 14 spots worthy of heading outside and savouring every snowflake.

1. Parc de la Gatineau (Chelsea, Outaouais)

The Parc de la Gatineau (Gatineau Park), is a vast natural gem stretching 361 km^² just outside the city. In the winter, its snow-covered hills and deep forests create a setting worthy of a Nordic film and are a true haven for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go cross-country skiing on dozens of kilometres of groomed trails, snowshoe up to lookout points boasting breathtaking views, or even try fatbiking on dedicated trails. As an added bonus, camping and winter accommodation are also available, and the park is an ideal spot for bird watching.

Relais Plein Air, located at one of the park’s entrances (on the Gatineau side), will become your base camp. It offers regular equipment rentals, equipment for people with reduced mobility and expert advice. And to set off with your batteries fully charged, the Café du Relais plein air is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat. You’ll find everything you need to get your adventure off to a great start!

2. Ruisseau de la Brasserie skating rink (Gatineau, Outaouais)

A fun name like the Ruisseau de la Brasserie (meaning “brewery stream”) will make you want to linger... on skates, of course! Located in the heart of downtown Gatineau, the 3-km stream forms the northern and western border of the island of Hull. It literally gave rise to the region’s industrial development in the 19th century with the second-largest brewery in Lower Canada after the one built by John Molson in Montréal. You can share that fun fact while skating with family or friends, day or night, at the legendary Ruisseau de la Brasserie skating rink.

3. Centre de la nature (Laval)

The Centre de la nature, is a one-of-a-kind urban park. In the winter, it turns into a huge family playground. It features tubing, skating on a large lake and a boarded rink similar in size to a National Hockey League rink, as well as cross-country skiing trails, and even a tropical greenhouse where you can take refuge for a moment of warmth and greenery. 

And let’s face it, getting a chance to see freshwater fish, birds and tropical plants in the middle of winter without having to get on a plane is always a treat!

4. Au 1884 – Les glissades de la Terrasse Dufferin (City of Québec)

What could be more iconic than riding down a century-old toboggan run at the foot of the Château Frontenac, with the St. Lawrence River in the background? At Au 1884 you can race down at speeds of up to 70 km/hr amid shrieks of delight echoing among the historic buildings. Hold on to your hat! By day, the scenery is postcard-worthy. By night, the lights of Old Québec add a magical touch to the experience. It’s an activity everyone can enjoy, no matter how adventurous you are.

While you’re in the area, why not continue your visit along Terrasse Dufferin? The walk, brimming with history and culture, boasts breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River, and beneath its surface lies an archaeological crypt with the remains of four defensive forts and two castles.

5. Parc Jean‑Drapeau (Montréal)

Parc Jean‑Drapeau showcases Montréal winter at its finest and is easily accessible by public transit. In addition to activities such as sliding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing and winter biking, the park also hosts “Slide and groove” evenings with guest DJs. There are also games and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

The view of snow-covered downtown is spectacular, especially at sunset. You’ll feel like you’re escaping into nature, just a few minutes from downtown Montréal. Enjoy the best of winter, at your doorstep!

6. Jardin botanique (Montréal)

When covered in snow, you can enjoy this urban garden in a whole new light. In the winter, the Jardin botanique becomes a peaceful haven where snowflakes soften all the shapes and sounds. You can walk or ski there for free (the trails in the botanical garden are connected to those in Parc Maisonneuve, where you can use other trails), explore peaceful walking paths and admire the themed gardens in a new light.

The Chinese Garden, which is especially magical, looks like something straight out of a movie and features lanterns, bridges and pavilions—all blanketed in white snow. It’s the ideal spot for a zen retreat in the heart of the city.

7. Parc du Mont‑Bellevue (Sherbrooke, Eastern Townships)

Mont Bellevue is Sherbrooke’s playground. It boasts a ski resort right in the centre of town, with slopes that are ideal for beginners and experienced skiers alike. Parc du Mont-Bellevue (in French only) also features a snow park with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fatbiking trails.

The atmosphere is friendly, almost community-like, drawing families, students and sports enthusiasts. Everyone comes here to enjoy winter without complicating their lives.

8. Zoo de Granby (Granby, Eastern Townships)

The snow-covered trails of Zoo de Granby, located in the heart of Granby are perfect for a magical winter walk, where you’ll discover animals that thrive in the coldest climates. Unlike a normal hike, around a bend in the trail, you could encounter a tiger, a Japanese macaque or a red panda!

And if it gets too cold, simply go inside the pavilions that shelter the more sensitive animals for a closer view than you’d get in the summer. Expect to see lots of smiling kids!

9. Quai Paquet (Lévis, Chaudière-Appalaches)

Exceptionally this year, the ice trail that runs along Quai Paquet (in French only) in the winter has been turned into a wonderful walking trail. What remains unchanged, however, is the spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River and Old Québec from this spot. You’ll want to have your camera handy! At night, the lights bring a unique world to life. You won’t want to miss it!

10. Forêt récréative (Val-d’Or, Abitibi-Témiscamingue)

Just minutes from downtown, the Forêt récréative is a chance to immerse yourself in an authentic boreal forest setting with natural eskers. It features 50 sq km of marked trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fatbiking, skijoring (or horse-drawn skiing) and skate skiing. Fun, relaxation and adventure are in store!

The Eagle Agnico skating trail, which is 2 km long and lit up at night, is one of the most stunning in Québec. Skating in the middle of the boreal forest under the stars is an unforgettable experience.

📷© Sentier glacé Agnico Eagle à la Forêt récréative de Val-d’Or @ Abitibi-Témiscamingue / B. Chamberland

11. RécréoParc (Sainte‑Catherine, Montérégie)

From December 15 to February 15, the RécréoParc hosts Le Défi Givré, an interactive outdoor activity. The fun trail consists of six challenges to complete using your smartphone. Each challenge will test your logic, teamwork and observation skills along the 1.5-km frozen trail and multi-purpose paths, which can be explored on foot, snowshoes, cross-country skis, kicksled or fatbike.

In addition to the Défi, you can enjoy other outdoor activities throughout the winter. Whatever the activity, the atmosphere is warm and friendly. You could easily spend a whole day there without noticing the time passing.

📷© Picaboo

12. Île Saint‑Quentin (Trois‑Rivières, Mauricie)

In winter, Île Saint‑Quentin becomes a veritable frozen kingdom. You can explore miles of trails lined with frosty trees, admire the spectacular point where the St. Lawrence and Saint-Maurice rivers meet, or skate on an ice rink surrounded by nature. Fatbiking enthusiasts will also enjoy the well-groomed trails.

And if you’re looking to extend your outing, here are a number of special activities on offer (in French only), including festivals and theme nights.

13. Maïkan Adventure ice climbing (Trois‑Rivières, Mauricie)

Maïkan Aventure is like a base camp that, in the winter, allows you to try ice climbing without leaving the city. Located on the shores of the scenic Saint-Maurice river just a few minutes from downtown Trois-Rivières, ice structures are maintained all winter, offering a safe way to learn the basics or perfect your ice climbing technique. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors will put climbers at ease, regardless of their skill level. It makes for a truly unique activity!

14. Villages de pêche blanche de La Baie (Saguenay, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean)

When you visit Saguenay in the winter, you don’t have to travel far to go fishing! Every winter, hundreds of colourful fishing huts are set up on the frozen waters of the Rivière Saguenay, just a stone’s throw from the centre of La Baie, to form the Villages de pêche blanche de La Baie - Contact Nature. These makeshift villages form one of the largest ice fishing sites in the world. You can also take advantage of a turnkey hut rental on the ice of the fjord. Get ready for lots of fun and fresh fish!