Top Places for Snowshoeing
Whether with traditional rawhide snowshoes or more modern equipment, snowshoeing continues to be a popular way to spend time outdoors. With your snowshoes strapped on tight, you’ll have hundreds of kilometres of marked trails to explore in the Québec City area.
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
Francis Gagnon
This vast mountain plateau riven by plunging valleys is the perfect place for snowshoeing. There are also multiple types of winter camping on offer (yurts, permanent tents, huts, etc.) if you want to stay the night. Plus, not only is it easy to get to by car, there’s even a shuttle service that runs there every day from Old Québec.
Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix
Sentier des caps de Charlevoix, Jean-Marie Grange
Running along a ridge that overlooks the St. Lawrence River, Sentiers des Caps de Charlevoix is a favourite with outdoorsy types. The trail runs along the ridge for some 50 km and is dotted with overnight huts, so you can even do a multi‑day trip! If you’re looking for a real winter hiking experience, this one’s for you.
Camp Mercier (Réserve faunique des Laurentides)
Sépaq - Réserve faunique des Laurentides
The excellent snow conditions at Camp Mercier make it a dream location for snowshoeing. The park offers more than 30 km of marked trails with beautiful views of the snow‑covered forest. Located less than an hour from Québec City, Camp Mercier is definitely worth the drive!
Vallée Bras-du-Nord
Vallée Bras-du-Nord, Guillaume Milette
Vallée Bras-du-Nord is an outdoor paradise located near the city of Saint‑Raymond. The park is known for its scenic beauty and the wide variety of trails. Whether you’re just starting out on your snowshoes or have many miles under your belt, you’ll find plenty of trails to suit your level of fitness and expertise. If you’d like to stay for a few days, there are numerous types of accommodation, including a charming yurt village.
Snowshoeing in the Heart of the City
Francis Gagnon
The magnificent Plains of Abraham Park is a vast expanse of green that runs along the top of central Québec City. If you’re new to snowshoeing, this is the perfect place to give it a whirl. Snowshoes can be rented inside the ice rink chalet.
Snowshoeing Guided Tours
Snowshoeing with a guide allows you to explore the most beautiful areas, hassle-free. Let Quatre Natures guide you through the pristine beauty of Jacques-Cartier National Park on a snowshoeing expedition (shuttle available from downtown).
What to Wear and Equipment Required
Snowshoeing is a sport and, like every sport, it warms you up! As you walk through the forest, sheltered from the wind, you may even forget it’s cold out. That’s why you should dress in layers that you can take off as you warm up and put back on as you cool down. If you don’t have your own pair of snowshoes, most parks have a rental service.
Snowshoeing is a sport that everyone can enjoy. That being said, it’s important to check the level of difficulty of the trail you want to hike. Steep terrain, backcountry trails, and fresh snow can really increase the level of difficulty. If you’re unsure, ask park staff to help you pick a trail that’s right for you!
Best Time for Snowshoeing
To go snowshoeing, you of course need a good amount of snow. Since accumulation varies depending on latitude, places that are farther north like Forêt Montmorency and Camp Mercier have a longer season. There, it isn’t rare for winter hiking to start early in December and end in March or even April, depending on the weather.
As for what makes for ideal snowshoeing conditions, that’s up to you. Some people rush out to the forest with their snowshoes right after a storm or heavy snowfall, while others prefer to wait for the snow to get packed down by those eager beavers. Whatever you prefer, make the most of every dump of snow!
