6 Top Areas to Explore by Snowmobile Near Québec City

If you enjoy mountain routes or long excursions, you will appreciate the 1,200 km (746 miles) of groomed trails in the Portneuf region. Conveniently located at the crossroads of several regions, Portneuf offers a foray into the heart of delightful landscapes and a rich natural and historical heritage. In addition to being home to Auberge Roquemont, the perfect base camp for snowmobilers due to its proximity to the trails and its service offer, the region has a heavy snow cover that allows you to start the season early and stretch it until April, and to take advantage of many other sporting activities!
 

The Laurentian wildlife reserve is a huge territory covering over 7,800 km² (3,011 miles²), with 500 km (311 miles) of snowmobile trails through forests, valleys and mountains at the heart of a high-quality wilderness environment. Snow-covered evergreens, iced-over rivers and peaks reaching altitudes of over 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) are all part of this reserve that extends between the Québec and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean regions.
 

Known for its huge lake that gave its name to the sector, Lac-Saint-Jean abounds with snowmobile trails that are remarkable both for their conditions and for the natural landscapes across which they wind. The Tour du Lac Omer-Harvey circuit takes you to the third largest lake in the province of Québec, turned into a huge desert of ice and snow. Others criss-cross the back country, where snow conditions are exceptional, such as at La Passerelle du 49^e, a new 236-km (147-mile) section that connects Monts-Valin to Lac Saint-Jean. Snowmobilers also appreciate direct access to the many accommodation and food establishments, as well as the various events held in the winter time.

Monts-Valin is a mountain range of some ten peaks that gets an average of six metres (over 19 feet) of snow each year. It combines everything snowmobilers dream of: exceptional vistas, superb trails, and incredible snow conditions. The snow cover is so thick on the trees at the summit in a sector of this national park that it has been dubbed the “Valley of the Phantoms”! A very popular winter vacation destination, Monts-Valin boasts numerous snowmobile trails, relay stations, chalets and other accommodation options. Discover the Sommets des Monts Valin thanks to the circuit of the same name.

A breath of fresh air is blowing over Saint-Siméon this winter! The Trans-Québec snowmobile trail (#3) will once again pass through the heart of Saint-Siméon, offering splendid vistas over the St-Lawrence River. From January, a stop in the village is a must to visit the surprising exhibition of antique snowmobiles belonging to Mr. Richard Dufour. Don't miss Camp Arthur-Savard: an authentic snowmobile relay consisting of 8 buildings and a main log cabin inspired by traditional logging camps.
 

Starting at the Trans-Québec (#3) trail, take the regional 377 trail that leads straight to the St. Lawrence River. The long descent of the dizzying Côte à Godin feels like diving right into the Saint-Lawrence’s icy waters. Then, hop on board the ferry linking Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive to Isle-aux-Coudres and succumb to the charms of the scenery and unique feeling of the boat navigating through the ice. Once on the island, the local club’s trails allow for crisscrossing orchards and farmlands and appreciating the impressive view of the Massif de Charlevoix and of the Charlevoix coast ahead. How delightful is the salty air you'll breathe while observing the ice drifting endlessly following the banks of the St. Lawrence.