Things to Do in Quebec City All Year
Quebec City is busiest in July and August, yet winter has the most distinctive things to do. Prices below are in Canadian dollars (CAD), and many operators quote them before the 14.975% sales tax, so expect the final bill to run higher.
Winter, December to March
Dufferin Terrace has ice slides run by Au 1884: three tracks, toboggans that reach 70 km/h, and a view down the river. The last published price was about 5 CAD per slide, paid on site. Dates and prices for the coming season are not yet announced, so plan on roughly December to mid-March and check on arrival.
Skating happens on refrigerated land rinks. The Place D’Youville rink is free, with skate rental of about 10 CAD plus tax, and the Plains of Abraham ice ring is free too. Stay off the St. Lawrence: the river is a tidal channel with moving ice and ship traffic.
Carnaval de Québec runs 5 to 14 February 2027, with night parades and a team Ice Canoe Race on the river that spectators watch from shore. The official Effigie pass was about 29 CAD plus tax at the presale price, and it is required from age 13.
The Hôtel de Glace is at Village Vacances Valcartier, about 30 minutes north of the city. Day visits are listed from 26 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, and the opening date depends on the weather. Tickets are priced by height: for visitors 1.32 m and over, a day pass is about 35.99 online or 42.99 on site, before tax. From 1 m to under 1.32 m it is about 29.99 online or 34.99 on site, and children under 1 m are free. Overnight suites start around 485 before tax.
The Plains of Abraham also has free cross-country ski tracks, about 13.9 km in total according to the regional tourism office.
Summer, May to October
The city walls are free to walk on your own. Parks Canada also runs a 90-minute guided walk, about 22.75 CAD for adults, from 19 June to 25 October 2026, meeting at the Frontenac kiosk on Dufferin Terrace.
A Croisières AML cruise from Quai Chouinard lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes. Adults pay about 49.99 CAD before tax and ages 2 to 12 pay about 15.00. The season runs roughly May to October.
Whitewater rafting is on the Jacques-Cartier River, north of the city, from mid-May to mid-October. The Class III to IV stretch is run by Excursions Jacques-Cartier and New Wave Expeditions. There is no whitewater at Quebec City itself.
Baie de Beauport, on the Beauport waterfront, has a supervised swimming area. The official page lists 20 June to 7 September, with free entry and parking at 10 CAD a day, and it may close on a given day, so look at the site first. Do not swim from other points along the river.
Winter weather and footing
Winter is cold, with wind off the river. The stone steps and the hills between Upper Town and Lower Town ice over, so boots with a good tread matter more than extra layers. Quebec City is a low-risk destination for visitors, and petty theft is the main caution.
Where to confirm details
Carnaval details are at carnaval.qc.ca , and height-based Hôtel de Glace rates are on the Valcartier ticket page . Guided options can be compared on Viator .
Read more: sightseeing inside the walls and day trips from the city .