With its endless wooded forests, its frozen lakes surrounded by wooden chalets, its Jack London-like landscapes, its "last trapper" atmosphere and the extent of its marked trails covered with fresh snow, La Belle Province is an ideal destination for discovering dog sledding, ice sculptures and ice fishing. And at the beginning of February, the Quebec Winter Carnival, the largest winter carnival in the world, is an unmissable event to discover northern cultures.
Quebec, the assault on nature
Quebec is one of the most popular destinations for snowmobiling. Nearly 35,000 kilometers of trails have been developed in the Belle Province, with precise signage and different types of circuits. The Laurentians and Lanaudière are among the most popular regions. With 2,300 kilometers, Lanaudière, located only an hour and a half from Montreal, is appreciated for the diversity of its terrain (forests, frozen lakes, crossing of villages...). Saint-Donat, an old forest village located at the edge of the Mont-Tremblant National Park and the neighboring Laurentian region, is the ideal starting point for snowmobiling in the Lanaudière region. For the more athletic, it is possible to go on multi-day snowmobile raids, wrapped in a "big cold" suit capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, a full face helmet screwed on the head and a hood slipped under the helmet to protect the face from the sting of the cold.
Snowmobile or dogsled, the kingdom of sliding
Quebec is an adventure land and a natural paradise for snowmobile enthusiasts, but also for those who would like to try dog sledding. These are the two most common snow sports. The vastness of the territory, the beauty of the landscape and the extent of the groomed trails make it possible to enjoy these two activities all winter long. Less known than the Laurentians, Lanaudière offers a charming natural setting for budding mushers or snowmobilers in search of adrenaline. The frozen lakes, huge white expanses bordered by the forest, are an ideal sliding ground for speeding on snowmobiles or sled dogs. Towed by a caterpillar, the snowmobile can rocket across the smooth surface of the frozen lake, easily reaching 120 km/h! The white landscape passes by at full speed while the handlebars start to shake.
To maintain the course, the best is to tighten the wrists and to give a frank impulse to the handlebar to direct this infernal machine. Three lakes are worth a detour: Archambault Lake, in Saint-Donat; Taureau Lake, near Saint-Zénon; and finally, White Lake, near Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, on the border of the Mauricie region. These three lakes form breathtaking natural settings. They are easily accessible by snowmobile on groomed trails or by dog sled. Lake Taureau is the most impressive of the three lakes, with a surface area of 95 km² and more than 500 km of shoreline. In winter, it is transformed into a white space worthy of the Great Canadian North.
The immensity of Taureau Lake provides a feeling of infinite escape, far from civilization, for a moment out of time. Crevasses hidden by the irregularities of the lake make one think of a moving glacier. Crossing Lac Taureau over a distance of nearly 12 kilometers involves risks for snowmobilers. It is advisable not to deviate from the tracks visible on the improvised trail.
Pristine natural spaces
Mont-Tremblant National Park is one of the most beautiful and largest natural parks in Quebec. Covered by a dense forest dominated by sugar maple, spruce and birch, the park offers wide trails winding between frozen lakes and rolling landscapes. Straddling the Laurentians and Lanaudière, Mont-Tremblant Park is an unspoiled area. The snowmobile trails form real "boulevards" in some places, and the temptation to speed through this landscape at the end of the world is strong. In the Lanaudière region, the Black Mountain is the highest mountain of Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, perched at 875 meters. At the top, a small lookout allows you to see, on a clear day, the entire Lanaudière and Laurentian regions. The Black Mountain is also known for being a historical site where a Canadian Liberator Bomber crashed in October 1943.
Quebec also has many nature reserves, such as Mastigouche, in Lanaudière, called "Réserve faunique Mastigouche". Inside, it is a forest landscape like Jack London, speckled with white. Above all, it is a natural reserve, a true reign of wide open spaces and animal life. This reserve is a white escape in the middle of an unspoiled nature, a concentrated glimpse of wild Quebec.
The tradition of outfitters
What would Quebec be without its outfitters, these traditional log cabins located in the middle of the forest or on the shores of lakes? Originally, these lodges were designed for hunters and fishermen. Today, they have become more modern and offer, in winter, many activities related to snow or ice (snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, snowshoeing...). Some of them have even been transformed into charming lodgings and luxury establishments offering all the comforts, with appreciated gastronomic tables. There are approximately 620 outfitters in Quebec, of which nearly 400 are grouped together within an organization that represents them: the Quebec Outfitters Federation.
Any stay in Quebec will inevitably take you to a sugar shack or "maple grove", just to gain back the pounds you lost during the winter. This is the best way to recover from the harsh weather conditions. These inns are frequented by Quebecers who come with their families or friends, and serve typical meals eaten "à la bonne franquette". In the middle of the maple trees, whose sap is used to make the famous eponymous syrup, one can taste traditional dishes composed of pancakes, beans, pea soup, eggs, ham, ears of sausage, butter and maple candies, taffy on snow and, of course, the inevitable maple syrup. An excellent and saving moment in perspective!
An unmissable Carnival
During the Carnival, a real winter fever takes hold of Quebec City. To attend the Carnival this year, you'll have to go between February 3 and 12. And you won't regret it, because it is certainly the biggest winter carnival in the world!
There are hundreds of activities to enjoy the winter fun throughout the city and it's a real trip to discover the Nordic cultures. Artists will make snow sculptures, the brave will take snow baths, sportsmen will try canoe racing or urban sliding and families will go for a walk around the ice palace while waiting impatiently for the two Carnival parades, back after years marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. A must-see event during an unforgettable trip to Jack London's country!
Smart info
When is it? The best time to practice winter sports in the Quebec regions is from mid-December to mid-March. In 2023, the Quebec Winter Carnival will take place from February 3 to 12.
Getting there. Many airlines offer daily flights between Paris and Montreal.
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