Bonjour Quebec, the Canadian province’s official tourism group, has developed a unique concept called ‘winterapy’.
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As a region that endures a long, intense winter, les Québécoises know a thing or two about enjoying snow, short days, and blustery nights. As a traveler who prefers a winter wonderland-style adventure, my ears perked up when I heard the idea.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a long list of things to do in Quebec in winter—from survival programs in Nunavik to spa programs at Bota Bota in Montreal, a spa that blew my mind when I visited last October.
While winter travel isn’t nearly as easy as warm-weather travel (clothes are heavier and harder to pack, weather delays aren’t uncommon, etc), I’ve found that my cold-weather adventures are more memorable. Even better, Quebec isn’t hard to reach for Americans—at least, when compared to other winter hubs like Iceland, Norway, or even Alaska.
Ready to see what winterapy is like in the Great White North? Get inspired with this list of things to do in Quebec in winter. I’ve broken down my favorite suggestions based on region.
Snowy adventures and other things to do in Quebec City & Montreal
Carnaval de Quebec in Quebec City (February 6-15)
Bundle up and prepare for fun. Bonhomme, the festival’s official mascot (pictured above busting a move), will accompany you as you enjoy festivities like colorful night parades, ice tobogganing, and even something called an ice canoe race.
You can enjoy live music, along with outdoor galleries of snow and ice sculptures. If you’re brave enough, you can even take part in the Snow Bath, one of North America’s most iconic polar dips. Check out the programming and get your tickets.
Hotel du Glace Restaurant in Valcartier
Last year, I covered some of the coolest ice hotels in the world—and Quebec’s Hotel du Glace is one of them. The hotel was one of the first true ice hotels to open its frozen doors to the public. It’s also home to a Nordic-inspired restaurant… that’s also fully made of ice. If you want to stop in for a meal and not an overnight stay, check out offers from Valcartier, where the ice hotel is located. They offer shuttle transportation to and from the restaurant.
Saint Roch Church in Quebec City
The famous Aura light show has been live at Saint Roch Church in downtown Quebec City since December 5th. The show is created by Moment Factory, which has taken home awards around the world for its projects. Come see what the hype is about.
Lumino Interactive Light Show in Montreal
Located on Sainte-Catherine Street West, right in front of Places des Artes, LUMINO is an interactive light show that you’ll want to enjoy twice. The interactive display has sensors in various locations, which light up at different times. The public needs to hustle from one spot to another, which is designed to create mini-migrations of humans. In other words, you’ll get your body moving with other people, creating a sense of unity in movement.
‘Coccoon’ in Montreal’s coziest spots
If you’re looking to hole up for winter in style in Montreal, you have options. I recommend visiting Bota Bota spa, which I’ve shouted out often since I visited last October. The spa recently launched ‘sensory wellness experiences’. Aside from Bota Bota, Bonjour Quebec recommends checking out Joy Spa Social Urbain and Recess.
In another direction, you can also take a tea workshop or sip on a perfect brew at Ecole de thés Charyū, aka Charyu Tea School. If you’ve been wondering about matcha, for example, you can take a course to learn more about the Japanese specialty.
