Useful links - Winter

 

 

  • General advice

    Keep checking the weather

    • It is a good idea to always check the weather the night before, or before leaving the house each morning.
    • A good app to download, or website to check, is the Weather Network.
      • Pay attention to the “feels like” temperature which takes into account the wind strength, humidity and air temperature.
      • The app also gives you notifications for the number of cm of snowfall that is expected, freezing rain or snow squalls which can help you to plan out your travels in advance.

     

    Dress appropriately

    • Warm clothing and dressing properly is essential for enjoying your experience here over winter.
    • Don't forget it can reach temperatures as low as -40 degrees!
    • As the saying goes, remember: there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!
    • Winter in Quebec is not about being fashionable, the important thing is to stay warm!

     

    Find out about snow days at school

    • It is not unusual to have school closures due to bad winter weather in Quebec.
    • School closures are usually announced early in the morning on that particular day.
    • To find out if your child's school is closed: check the school website or Facebook page, listen to the local radio stations, check on the school board website or Facebook page
    • School calendars have a certain number of days set aside each year to recap for school days lost due to snowstorm/emergency closures.

     

    Adapt your driving

    • Adapt your driving to the weather and road conditions in winter. Make sure you stay safe on the roads!
    • See the section on Driving in Winter for more advice.

     

    Get outside and take advantage of winter!

    • It is crucial for your mental health with the snow and the darker evenings and to make sure you get outdoors and embrace winter as much as you can!
    • This is the time to try new winter sports like: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ski-dooing, tobogganing, sledging, dog-sledding, tubing…
  • Winter clothing

    Warm clothing and dressing properly is essential for enjoying your experience here over winter.  Don't forget it can sometimes reach temperatures as low as -40 degrees!  As the saying goes, remember: there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!  Winter in Quebec is not about being fashionable, the important thing is to stay warm!

    Don't know where to start with your winter wardrobe?  Click on each of the orange links below for more information.

     

    The key to winter dressing is layers! Find out more in our How to dress for winter guide.

     

    Buying winter clothing and sports gear can get expensive but it doesn't need to. 

  • Driving in winter

    Some tips on successful winter driving:

    • It is mandatory in Quebec to install winter tires on your vehicle from Dec 1st to March 15th inclusive. Do not leave it to the last moment to install these as appointments at garages will quickly fill up and you do not want to get caught out by an early snowstorm.
    • Plan ahead! Check the weather forecast the night before or look outside in the morning to check the snow accumulation overnight.
    • Download the Quebec 511 app to find out about road conditions.
    • Make sure to leave extra time in the morning to remove ALL the snow and ice off your car (roof, windshield, and headlights). You could face a fine of $60-$200 for not doing so.
    • Use the time you spend brushing the snow off your car, to allow your car time to warm up.
    • You can install a distance starter (“démarreur à distance” in French) to your car which enables you to start it and warm the engine up whilst you are still indoors.
    • Keep a winter supply kit in your car at all times - a snow brush, an ice scraper, a shovel, traction aids, a warm blanket, a phone charger, extra washer fluid, etc.
    • Get rubber floor mats to put inside your car during winter to contain any moisture and help prevent salt stains in the carpet.
    • It's a good idea to always have a full tank of gas, just incase! This will also mean your car is heavier which will increase your traction on the roads.
    • Do not use cruise control on slippery roads!
    • Pay attention to any cracks or chips in your windscreen and make sure to get these fixed promptly.

     

    Information guides on Winter Driving from the SAAQ (Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec)

     

  • Winter activities in Chaudière-Appalaches

    Alpine Skiing 

    • Centre de plein air de Lévis (Mont-Lauzon), Lévis 
    • Station récréotouristique du Mont Adstock, Adstock 
    • Parc régional du Massif du Sud, Saint-Philémon 
    • Station Touristique Massif du Sud, Saint-Philémon 
    • Mont-Orignal, Lac-Etchemin  
    • Site de ski de montagne FQME - Parc des Appalaches secteur grande coulée, Saint-Paul de Montminy 
    • Domaine du Radar, Saint-Sylvestre 
    • Club ski Beauce, Vallée Jonction 
    • Centre de ski Saint-George, Saint-George de Beauce 

     

    Cross Country Skiing 

    • Club de ski de fond Sentiers des Grandes Prairies, Saint-Romuald (Lévis) 
    • Les Sentiers La Balade de Lévis, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome (Lévis) 
    • Club de ski de fond de Ville-Guay, Lévis 
    • Club de ski de fond St-Étienne Inc., Saint-Étienne-de-Lauzon
    • Sentiers des Pionniers, Breakeyville (Lévis) 
    • Sentiers de ski de fond Pierre Harvey, Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon 
    • Club de Ski Bord de L'eau, Saint-Henri 
    • Centre de ski de fond St-Agapit, Saint-Agapit 
    • Club sportif Appalaches, L'Islet 
    • Sentiers de ski de fond et raquette Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce 
    • Club Ski Beauce, Vallée Jonction 
    • Parc régional du Massif du Sud, Saint-Philémon 
    • Mont-Orignal, Lac-Etchemin 
    • Les Sentiers de l'Inconnu, Montmagny  
    • Centre de ski de fond La Clé des bois, Saint-Ferdinand 
    • Club de ski de fond de Thetford, Thetford Mines 
    • Club de ski de fond Rendez-vous, Saint-George-de-Beauce 

     

    Dog Sledding 

    • Chenil la Poursuite, Lévis 
    • Chalets Villégiature & Pourvoirie Daaquam, Saint-Just-de-Bretenières 

     

    Ice Fishing 

    • Chalets Villégiature et Pourvoirie Daaquam, Saint-Just-de-Bretenières 
    • Pourvoirie Foresto, Montmagny 
    • ZEC Jaro, Saint-Théophile 

     

    Skating 

    • Bleuetière Goulet, Saint-Frédéric 
    • Sentier de patin au Club de golf Beaurivage, Lévis 
    • Le Village Beauceron, Saint-Prosper 
    • Outdoor skating rinks all over the city of Lévis - click here to find out more.

     

    Sledding and Tube Sliding 

    • Centre de plein air de Lévis, Lévis 
    • Domaine du Radar (Luge et glissades), Saint-Sylvestre 
    • Club de Ski Beauce, Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce 
    • Mont Original, Lac-Etchemin 
    • Station récréotouristique du Mont Adstock, Adstock 

     

    Snowshoeing 

    • Parc des Appalaches, Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard 
    • Sentiers pédestres des 3 Monts de Coleraine, Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine 
    • Domaine du Radar, Saint-Sylvestre 
    • Parc régional du Massif du Sud, Saint-Philémon
    • Mont-Orignal, Lac-Etchemin 
    • Les Sentiers de l'Inconnu, Montmagny 
    • Les sentiers urbain Multisport, Montmagny 
    • Sentier de la rivière du chêne, Leclercville 
    • Domaine Taschereau - Parc Nature, Saint-Marie 
    • Les Sentier de Standon, Saint-Léon-de-Standon 
    • Mont Adstock, Adstock (only 3 trails) 
    • Sentiers de Raquette de Saint-Pamphile, Saint-Pamphile 
    • Sentier du Vieux-Barrage, Disraeli 
    • Site du patrimoine, Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds 

Inspired by Voice of English-speaking Quebec.