There is a little bit of magic that happens in winter, amid soft landscapes blanketed in snow. Those who have learned to embrace the cold know there is a particularly thrilling energy in the air when the temperatures drop, nature grows quiet, and it is time to bundle up and head outside. Few people do this better than the Québécois.
Located in Eastern Canada and home to 11 Indigenous Peoples, Québec is the country’s largest province. The sprawling landscape covers 1.6 million square kilometers and offers endless outdoor and cultural experiences throughout four distinct seasons. Featuring more than 500 events and festivals held each year, in Québec, winter is the star of the show – quite fitting, for a northern territory that ranges from the U.S. border all the way to the Arctic. From Christmas markets to the iconic Québec Winter Carnival, cold weather is an invitation to celebrate the season and connect with fellow revelers.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find all of their favorite winter activities – including downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating – as well as some that are a bit more unique to the region. Québec offers ample opportunities to try alpine luging, fat biking, ice canoeing and kayaking, sliding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, and winter climbing.
Québec’s varied landscapes are a tribute to its sheer size. The province’s two mountain ranges — the Laurentian Mountains to the north of the beloved St. Lawrence River and the Appalachian Mountains to the south – offer wide swaths of forest that transform with the seasons. Further north, the mountains give way to boreal forest, taiga, and tundra. And with more than a million lakes, thousands of rivers, and abundant coastal waters dotted with archipelagos and islands, it is no surprise that Québec has made a concerted effort to protect its natural resources and cultural heritage.
Visitors to Québec will find 30 national parks, 15 wildlife reserves, one marine park, one international dark sky reserve, and four sites recognized as UNESCO world biosphere reserves. Additionally, there are nearly 200 regional parks and natural sites ideal for a wide variety of outdoor activities. The capital – Québec City – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With these endless opportunities for culture, adventure, and nature, the Adventure Travel Trade Association is proud to partner with Québec to showcase the province’s winter offerings through a seven-day itinerary followed by a Marketplace for buyers and suppliers at La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, an interactive and cultural tourism center within the old mill of la Compagnie de pulpe de Chicoutimi.
The AdventureWeek itinerary begins in Québec’s largest city, Montreal, before heading to the Lanaudière region, Québec City, Saint-Alexis-des-Mont, the Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier, the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, and the Parc National des Monts-Valin. Participants will enjoy a variety of activities, including but not limited to skiing, snowshoeing, trout fishing, visiting the Québec Winter Carnival, snowmobiling, and enjoying plenty of quintessential local cuisine.
"We are very excited to return to Québec, since they hosted AdventureELEVATE in 2016!” said Eva Mossberg, the ATTA Program Manager for North America. “ATTA has had a long-term relationship with Québec and we look forward to highlighting the region’s unique winter opportunities available to adventure travelers."
AdventureWeek Québec will take place 9-17 February 2023. Buyers and media from Canada and the United States that specialize in adventure travel are encouraged to view the itinerary and apply here.