No trip abroad, no party. 2022 does not necessarily begin as we had imagined. Fortunately, we still have the mountains and forests of Quebec to have fun this winter. The following experiences and places should be able to take your mind off your feet.
Camp Mercier: snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in powder snow
Quebec
Sépaq / Steve Deschênes
Located in the Laurentides wildlife reserve, about 1 hour from Quebec City, Camp Mercier is a great place for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The area is renowned for its particularly abundant snow, its numerous trails and its long winter season, which often stretches until April. This year, Sépaq is inaugurating a brand new service building, where you will find indoor fireplaces, a waxing area and an equipment rental shop. On the slopes, it is the usual muted whiteness that will welcome you.
Eco-Odyssey: skating in an icy labyrinth
Outaouais
During the summer, the Wakefield Eco-Odyssée nature park offers canoe, pedal boat or SUP adventures in an aquatic labyrinth of 64 intersections, in the heart of a large swamp. This winter, for the first time, this labyrinth turns into a maze of icy 5 km trails for skaters. You can go on an outing of 2 or 3 hours in the heart of nature. Do not forget your headlamp if you book a departure at the end of the day.
Domaine de Lausanne: winter campsite
Laurentians
Domaine de Lausanne campsite / Facebook
Have you never dared to go winter camping? Why not try this activity in a reassuring campground? In Ivry-sur-le-Lac, the Domaine de Lausanne campsite is open throughout the cold season and offers dozens of pitches for tents, recreational vehicles and campervans (with or without electricity). The site also offers 30 ready-to-camp units, including wood gables, boreal tents and cabins. On site, activities range from snowshoeing to fatbiking, including off-piste skiing and cross-country skiing. And snowmobilers are welcome via Le P’tit Train du Nord. Tempted?
La Charlevoix: winter via ferrata
Charlevoix
Vertical Project / Facebook
If you are looking for thrills, head to Charlevoix to try the 500-meter via ferrata installed on the wall of the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu, in La Malbaie. Bundled up and securely attached to a steel cable, you will climb, cross wooden sleepers and sign bridge and even launch yourself into a zipline. All this, taking advantage – if you dare to watch! – breathtaking views of the frozen St. Lawrence River.
projectvertical.com
Chic Chac: off-piste skiing in the Chic-Chocs
Gaspesie
Off-piste skiing has never been so popular in Quebec. And if there is one place to discover in the province for the practice of this sport, it is the Chic Chac in Murdochville, in the heart of the Chic-Chocs mountains. The recreational tourism company offers guided off-piste skiing experiences with mechanized ascent (in caterpillars, helicopter or T-bar) or ascent in sealskin, in various playgrounds in the area. A variety of all-inclusive (with accommodation and meals) or à la carte packages are available to travelers looking for powder.