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Natural Quebec City
A Four-season Outdoor Playground
Rare are the cities on nature's very doorstep, where
urban living melds seamlessly with outdoor enjoyment. Quebec City, much to the delight
of visitors, is one of them.
 Within minutes of the center of town are
mountains, lakes, rivers, protected wilderness areas,
rolling farmland, and much more. Right in the heart of the
city are the Plains of Abraham, an immense urban park where
people love to ski, stroll, mountain bike, picnic, inline
skate, and simply enjoy themselves. In fact, there are
outdoor activities to suit every age and ability level.
Every season has special appeal
Quebec City is a unique year-round destination, with
seasons that roll together in an ever changing symphony
of colors and sensations. Winter is crisp and clean with
fresh, white snow and brilliant sunshine. Spring arrives
in a burst of greenery and wanning breezes. When summer
makes its appearance, the whole city moves outdoors to
enjoy the sidewalk cafés, parks, outdoor concerts,
and lively street life. Then fall arrives in a
breathtaking cavalcade of color, with its hint of the
rosy-cheeked holidays to come.
Summer a perennial favorite
Summer is
the busiest tourist season with its warm, comfortable
weather free of humidity and discomfort. It is a time of
year particularly well suited to outdoor pursuits.
Some of the most popular outdoor
activities are found right within the city. One is the
area's network of cycling/inline skating paths that leaves
directly from the Old Port district in the center of town
and fans out through the city.
One direction follows the St. Lawrence
River out to the Montmorency Falls on a circuit that even
young cyclists can complete easily in an afternoon. Another
follows the lazy banks of the St. Charles River as it winds
its way through town. Yet another takes an old railway
right-of-way out to the natural surroundings of Portneuf on
a route that passes by the Huron native reserve.
Awash in outdoor enjoyment
Water
sports of every description are very popular. Valcartier
Vacation Village in suburban Quebec City features water
slides and wave pools, and the area's numerous lakes and
rivers offer swimming, boating, and fishing.
Canoeing and whitewater rafting are two
big favorites at nearby Parc de la Jacques-Cartier. This
stunning wilderness park only minutes from the center of
town is one of Quebec City's best surprises-River magazine
terms it a good example of the "commonly held
maxim that the best place to hide something is in plain view. "
 With the St. Lawrence River right at
hand, sailing is also a big summer attraction. The
international Quebec/Saint-Malo Transat sailing race
held every four years starts from Quebec City, cheered
on by thousands of spectators along the river's shores.
A cascade of attractions
A favorite
destination in summer for city residents and tourists alike
is Montmorency Falls Park. The waterfall, located within
city limits, is nearly 100 feet (30 in) higher than Niagara.
It is bordered by trails and features a cable car to the
top, a panoramic stairway, and a suspension bridge.
The region offers opportunities for rock
climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, nature observation,
and golfing, along with a plethora of outdoor events and
happenings in Old Quebec and on the Plains of Abraham.
The annual Marathon des deux rives draws thousands of
participants who compete on a circuit over both shores of
the St. Lawrence River.
Falling under Quebec City's Spell
Autumn in Quebec City marks the start of an outdoor
season with special appeal. The days and nights grow cooler and the spectacular
fall foliage attracts visitors from far and wide. Fall is a
particularly popular season for St. Lawrence River cruises.
Hiking and bird watching are among other favorite
activities. Another popular outing is to observe the
thousands of snow geese in nearby Saint-Joachim during the
annual fall migration of these magnificent creatures.
Fall is a great time for hunting and
fishing. Sepaq, the government agency in charge of parks and
wildlife reserves, offers numerous packages for outdoor
enthusiasts in nearby Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.
A
winter wonderland
Winter in Quebec City means guaranteed
snow and outdoor enjoyment. Skiers throng to
 the city for
the incredible conditions and runs at nearby Mont
Sainte-Anne and Stoneham. Cross country skiing is a huge
attraction with the region's great variety of top quality
trails. In town, skaters are well served at the outdoor rink
at Place d'Youville in Old Quebec and the Gaetan Boucher
Skating Oval in Sainte-Foy. For children, tobogganing is
always a favorite, on the Plains or on the special snow
slide beside the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac with its
spectacular view of the river far below. Opportunities for
snowshoeing, dogsledding, and snowmobiling abound. In fact,
the Quebec City area is directly linked to the 30,000 km
(18,000 mile) Trans-Quebec network of groomed snowmobile
trails.
Winter is also a time for outdoor
competition. The Mont Sainte-Anne Loppet pits cross country
skiers against each other in 5, 25, and 50 km races. For
extreme sports enthusiasts, the Grand defi des
glaces canoe race features three return sprints across the
icy floes of the St. Lawrence River.
Every winter Mont Sainte-Anne hosts the
Snowboard World Cup. In February after the Quebec Winter
Carnival, the International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament brings
young competitors to Quebec from all over the world.
The sweet taste of
spring
When Nature reawakens once again in spring, it's time for
one of the most cherished outdoor
activities of the year-the annual maple syrup harvest.
Families and friends gather at the sugar shack-or cabane
à sucre- for a taste of maple, including delicious maple
taffy obtained by pouring boiling maple syrup onto troughs
of fresh, clean snow.
While others endure hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic on
their weekly trek to the cottage to escape the pollution and
sprawl of the city, Quebecers have the best of nature right
out their doors, ready to enjoy whatever the season.
Fortunately for you, they're always pleased to share!
For Hotels and Resorts in Quebec go to Quebec
Hotels and Resorts
For Family Attractions in Quebec go to Quebec Family Attractions
Information and photos courtesy of the
Greater Quebec Area Tourism and Convention Bureau.
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