30 outdoor outings to enjoy winter

Put on your skates

Many places allow you to indulge in the pleasure of spinning on the ice for free, whether you are fast on your skates or skating on your boot.

• The refrigerated area of ​​the Discoglace at the Agora du Port de Québec remains open every day until March 9. A good place to combine skating and musical ambiance until the evening.

• Likewise, a new covered and refrigerated skating rink Bleu Blanc Rouge has just been inaugurated at Victoria Park, in Quebec. It allows the practice of skating and hockey. It also respects the regulatory dimensions of the National Hockey League.

• Obviously, we cannot forget the ice rink at Place D’Youville, in Old Quebec, as well as the bucolic ice loops at Domaine de Maizerets, in Limoilou.

• In Lévis, the 600-meter-long refrigerated trail on Quai Paquet presents a new setting along the river, an illuminated tunnel and a central rest area until the beginning of March.

• If, however, you are ready to spend a few pennies, the Lac-Beauport ice ring allows you to skate on a 2.45 km long track set up directly on the lake, in the middle of a superb landscape. Until March 10. Price: $10 for non-residents 22 and over, free for others

Slide on the snow

• The Tewkesbury Sliding Center boasts the highest and longest slopes in the region (18 in total). The track called Guinness would also be 104 meters high and 600 meters long! Open in Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury every weekend until March (every day during spring break). Price: between $27 and $42 per person, packages offered (plus taxes)

• Faithful to its more than century-old tradition, the Dufferin terrace slide, alongside the Château Frontenac, in Quebec, continues to offer sled descents at nearly 70 km/h. Price: $3.50 per person (plus taxes, until March 30)

• The Pointe-aux-Lièvres park, near the Saint-Charles River in Limoilou, will host the Festi-Glisse on February 1 and 2. This is an opportunity for the family to practice a host of activities for free, including sliding down the big hill.

• Of course, the winter games center at Village Vacances Valcartier, located 30 minutes from Quebec, still offers its inner tube slides. Price: from $40

• In Lévis, the Rivière-Etchemin park (in the Saint-Romuald sector) offers families free sled, sled or inner tube rides. Every day until March.

• In the Lotbinière region, the Domaine du Radar once again suggests Austrian tobogganing to slide down its two slopes, one for the family and the other richer in thrills, on Saturdays and Sundays. Price: $50 to $63 (plus tax)

Fishing on the ice

• If you want to tease trout through a hole in the ice, two places offer this traditional experience in Quebec. First, Base Plein Air Sainte-Foy launched its ice fishing village on January 16 (until March 16). Then, Village Nordik will do the same at the Louise basin of the Port of Quebec starting February 7 (until March 9). Price: $13 to $75

Celebrate… quite simply

Some events bring together so many activities that they allow families to explore several winter pleasures at once.

• Launched during the holidays, the Gougoune et doudoune event continues its activities at the Espace Quatre Cents quay, in Quebec. On the menu until February 16: climbing, sliding, electric three-skis, etc. Weekends in January and every day during the Quebec Carnival. Access is free, but some activities require a fee ($15 to $25).

• From February 7 to 16, Bonhomme and its unmissable Carnaval de Québec will make their comeback for a 71st year to bring life to the entire city. Among their activities, we highlight parades, ice sculptures and even abseiling down the facade of the Château Frontenac! The official pass costs $25 to $39 (plus tax) depending on the time of purchase.

• On February 1, the Polar Carnival will celebrate winter at Loisirs St-Rodrigue (130, 50e Rue Est, in Charlesbourg) with inflatable games, a sugar shack, the construction of an igloo, etc.

• Also on February 1, the Winter Festival at the Mgr Marcoux Center invites families from the Limoilou district to fair games and winter activities.

• From March 6 to 8, Igloofest Quebec will rock Place Jean-Béliveau (near the Videotron Center in Quebec) with electronic music from famous DJs Tiësto and Deadmau5, among others. Price: from $49

Walk to get some fresh air

• Some 75,000 lights and 1,000 lanterns make Old Quebec shine this winter (until mid-March, from Porte Saint-Jean to Petit Champlain). At dusk, walkers have the opportunity to admire the colors of the city thanks to this 1.2 km route called Québec lights up!

• Even in winter, the Onhwa’ Lumina light trail, in the heart of the Huron-Wendat village of Wendake, near Quebec, continues to be presented every weekend. On the program: a 1.2 km walk coupled with a light experience. Price: $17 to $31.50 (plus taxes and fees)

• Like every year, it is possible to visit the facilities of the Hôtel de Glace at the Valcartier Vacation Village, to contemplate the work of its architect-sculptors. Until March 15. Price: from $25

• From February 28 to April 20, the three Winter Garden public art trails will allow walkers and curious people to explore the streets and public places of Quebec (Old Quebec, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Roch) to observe his urban works.

• In Lévis, it is possible — and free — to take a walk in boots or snowshoes on the trails of Rivière-Etchemin park. You can take some marked trails in the forest or along the river, enjoying the fresh air and some interesting viewpoints.

Experiencing strong emotions

• If the desire to climb an icy wall is synonymous with challenge and pleasure for you, there are possibilities available to you in the region. First, the Festiglace de Pont-Rouge will organize workshops and ice climbing competitions, from February 19 to 23. Then, the Aventurex company offers introductory and advanced ice climbing courses all winter long at the Chute-Montmorency park. Prices vary.

• Located in Château-Richer (30 minutes east of Quebec), the KCR Karting complex now opens its large track for winter cart races. Price: from $45 for 15 minutes (plus taxes).

• If you’re not afraid, the company Canot à glace Expérience invites you to canoe on the waters and ice of the St. Lawrence River, in front of Quebec. Schedule varies depending on the weather. Price: different packages starting at $169 per person (plus taxes)

• About twenty minutes from Quebec, the Empire 47 company provides families with its bicycles with oversized tires — called fat bikes — to cycle on the snowy trails of Lac-Delage. It is even possible to rent a fat bike electric or doing fat bike drivingwhile your dog will pull the bike. Price: variable packages depending on age and bike rental.

• From February 14 to 23, the Pentathlon des Neiges invites all athletes to take on the challenge of their choice (running, snowshoeing, cycling, cross-country skiing or skating) in groups or solo, during a major week of competition on the Plains of Abraham, in Quebec. Participation is free, but registration is required.

What are your favorite winter activities? Share your preferences in the comments section at the bottom of this article.

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