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4-Day Quebec City Winter Itinerary

A 4-day Québec City winter itinerary: the Ice Hotel, dog sledding, tobogganing, skating, and the best winter hotels — no festival dates required.

A group riding an inflatable snow tube down a hill outside Québec City.
October 4, 2026 · By Stefan Mercier
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4-DAY QUÉBEC CITY WINTER ITINERARY

Ice Hotel • Dog Sledding • Tobogganing • Old Québec Snow

Québec City turns into a snow-globe version of itself every winter. This 4-day itinerary blends Old Québec’s cobblestone charm with the region’s best cold-weather adventures — no festival dates required.

Toboggan slide on Dufferin TerraceToboggan slide on Dufferin Terrace

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & OLD QUÉBEC SNOW

2:00 PM
Check-in at Your Hotel

Warm up and grab a map of the snow-covered Old Québec streets

3:30 PM
Old Québec Winter Walk

Dufferin Terrace views over the frozen St. Lawrence, Petit-Champlain’s lit-up streets, Place Royale under snow

VIEW MAP
5:00 PM
Les Glissades de la Terrasse

The historic 1884 wooden toboggan slide, right off Dufferin Terrace • $3 per ride

6:30 PM
Dinner at Chez Boulay

1110 Rue Saint-Jean • Nordic-inspired Québecois

Hotel de Glace Ice HotelHotel de Glace Ice Hotel

DAY 2: ICE HOTEL & VALCARTIER

9:00 AM
Breakfast at Café du Monde

84 Rue Dalhousie • Waterfront views • Hearty winter breakfast

10:30 AM
Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel)

Self-guided tour through sculpted ice rooms, the ice bar, and the chapel — 10 minutes from downtown

DETAILS
1:00 PM
Lunch near Valcartier

Casual stop before an afternoon in the snow

2:30 PM
Village Vacances Valcartier

Snow tubing runs, skating rink, and a heated outdoor spa to finish the afternoon

7:00 PM
Dinner at Entrecôte Saint-Jean

1080 Rue Saint-Jean • Classic steak-frites

Dog sledding near Quebec CityDog sledding near Quebec City

DAY 3: DOG SLEDDING & SNOWSHOEING

8:30 AM
Early Departure

30-45 minute drive to one of the region’s dog-sledding outfitters

9:30 AM
Dog Sledding Excursion

Mush your own team or ride along through snow-covered forest trails

DETAILS
12:30 PM
Lunch at a Rustic Lodge

Warm, hearty Québec comfort food after a morning in the cold

2:00 PM
Afternoon Options

Snowshoeing on the Plains of Abraham, or skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne (40 min drive)

7:30 PM
Dinner at Légende

255 Rue Saint-Paul • Modern Québec cuisine

Skating in front of the St-Jean GateSkating in front of the St-Jean Gate

DAY 4: SKATING, CULTURE & DEPARTURE

8:30 AM
Breakfast at Hotel

Late check-out available until 11am • Luggage storage

9:30 AM
Morning Skating

Outdoor rink at Place D’Youville, right beside the old city walls

11:00 AM
Musée de la Civilisation

Warm up with an hour of exhibits before heading out

12:30 PM
Farewell Lunch at Le Petit Château

3 Rue des Carrières • Swiss fondue or crêpes

3:00 PM
Departure

Shuttle service to the airport available from most hotels

WINTER HOTEL OPTIONS

Château FrontenacChâteau Frontenac

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

★★★★★ 4.7
611 rooms

• Iconic landmark • Walking distance to everything

CHECK AVAILABILITY
Auberge St-AntoineAuberge St-Antoine

Auberge Saint-Antoine

★★★★★ 4.8
95 rooms

• Relais & Châteaux • Riverside views

CHECK AVAILABILITY
Hôtel du Vieux-QuébecHôtel du Vieux-Québec

Hôtel du Vieux-Québec

★★★★☆ 4.5
45 rooms

• Boutique charm • Near Petit-Champlain

CHECK AVAILABILITY
Clarendon HotelClarendon Hotel

Hôtel Clarendon

★★★★☆ 4.2
154 rooms

• Historic 1870 building • Affordable luxury

CHECK AVAILABILITY
Palace RoyalePalace Royale

Hôtel Palace Royal

★★★★☆ 4.1
232 rooms

• Indoor waterpark • Spacious suites

CHECK AVAILABILITY
Château LaurierChâteau Laurier

Château Laurier Québec

★★★★☆ 4.3
276 rooms

• Luxury spa • City views

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Best enjoyed December through March — bundle up!

Contact: bernard@globaleducationaltours.com | (418) 431-1122

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Day-by-day itineraries for winter and fall, the hotels we would book, and a map with every stop pinned.

Old Québec and the Château Frontenac at golden hour