Are you traveling from Ottawa to Quebec City and looking for an adventure-filled itinerary?
As a family, we wanted to experience the ultimate winter Canadian road trip and experience the magical winter festivals, including Winterlude in Ottawa and Carnaval in Quebec City, so we paired them together to make for the ultimate Canadian Winter Road Trip. The result was a week-long trip that we will never forget that included classic Canadian winter festivals, skating on the Rideau Canal (the longest rink in the world), coming up close and personal with animals at Parc Omega, sitting front row at Carnaval in Quebec City, and so much more.
This action-packed experience is a core family treasure, and I’ve put together this itinerary so you can recreate these experiences on your winter road trip from Ottawa to Quebec City.
Why You Should Choose A Canadian Winter Vacation
People travel to Canada from all over the world. Our landscape is vast, diverse, and absolutely stunning. We have a chance to show our children what this country is and a responsibility to maintain it so that one day, their children will be able to experience it as well. If we invest our travel budgets back into our country, we help it to thrive.
You should choose a Canadian winter vacation because this country has taken what is often harsh—the snow, cold, and ice—and created tradition, fun, and adventure. You should choose it because its secrets will surprise you and its beauty will leave you breathless. You should choose it because it is waiting for you.
Discover the Ultimate 2025 Winter Road Trip from Ottawa to Quebec City
Day 1: Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Capital City
Start your Ottawa to Quebec City road trip in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, Ontario. I recommend booking during their annual winter festival, Winterlude, where the whole city embraces the cold winter weather and celebrates it. Winterlude is Ottawa’s family-friendly, interactive festival that takes this cold, snowy time of year and turns it into a party. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from ice treasure hunts, giant slides, ice sculpture displays, giant games, musical performances, and more. We put together the complete guide to help your family get the most out of your time at Winterlude!
Day 2: Go Skating On The Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal winds 7.8 km through Ottawa and, in 2025, will mark its 55th season open for skating. It is historic and iconic and had been on my own mother’s bucket list for years, so it was an incredible moment to take her skating on the Rideau Canal. Check out our full guide on The Rideau Canal and strap on those skates to hit the rink!
Where to Stay in Ottawa
While there aren’t any accommodations within a walkable distance of the Fifth Street access point to the Rideau Canal (my suggestion on where to start your skating experience), there are some great places to stay that are an easy Uber/Taxi distance, or there is parking available the Landsdowne Park, adjacent to the Fifth Street access point.
We highly recommend staying at the Fairmont Château Laurier while visiting Ottawa and the surrounding area. Its central downtown location will have you close to the Parliament Buildings, great restaurants, multiple museums and fabulous city tours.
Book your stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier here!
Day 3 – 4: Hit the Highway and Embrace Winter Canadian Road Trip
Say goodbye to Ontario and transition into Quebec via Autoroute 50. This road trip will take you through the snow-covered hillside, winding scenic roads, and classic Canadian road trip vibes. If you’re travelling with kids, one of the stops you absolutely must make is at Parc Omega!
Parc Omega, Montebello, Quebec
As soon as you drive through the gates of Parc Omega, you realize that you’re the attraction and not the other way around. Park animals, including elk and deer, will come right up to the window, looking to see if you brought carrots to feed them for treats. Our family burst into tears as we were laughing so hard when one of the animals smeared his snot across our window, wanting more carrots as we slowly drove away (see more of our experience here).
The trail through Parc Omega will introduce you to local Canadian wildlife, including wolves, bears, bison, boars, deer, elk, moose, foxes, and more. This piece of the natural world is a unique experience in the region and worth stopping at!
Laval, Quebec
Laval is just north of Montreal, and while many people visiting the region head right to the big city, it’s the smaller-town charm of Laval that had us taking our Winter Canadian road trip to Laval. They invited us to take part in some fun classic outdoor experiences like ice fishing, but we also got to head indoors and take part in an indoor skydiving experience!
Ice Fishing in Laval
If you’re looking for an educational and hands-on ice fishing experience in Laval, we recommend getting out on the ice with Parc Mille Iles. Our 3 hour tour took us onto the river, where we got to try to catch fish via traditional fishing methods. Our guide was very interactive and educational, keeping the kids engaged in the process. We loved being able to head into the huts to warm up when needed, all while keeping an eye on our fishing poles to see if we had any catches!
Indoor Skydiving At Sky Venture Montreal, Laval
If you’re looking for the ultimate indoor adventure in Laval, you have to check out Indoor Skydiving At Sky Venture Montreal. Our adrenaline was still pumping hours after this adventure was over, and I have a huge framed family photo sitting next to my desk at home to remember this experience by. All four of us donned flight suits and defied gravity in this truly one-of-a-kind free-fall experience. The best part? Nobody had to actually jump out of a plane.
Where to Stay in Laval
We highly recommend a stay at the Sheraton Laval Hotel. It is centrally located, has an on-site restaurant and coffee shop, an indoor heated pool (that the kids will love!), a spa, and has both traditional rooms (2 queens) as well as 25 suites.
Book your stay at the Sheraton Laval Hotel here!
Day 4: Chalets Lanaudière
Head out of the city to Chalets Lanaudière for the perfect combination of outdoor winter fun and cozy cabin time. From snow-tubing and snow-shoeing to board games and a crackling fire, Chalets Lanaudière will give you all the feels of being the main characters in a wintertime storybook. This is a place where memories are guaranteed to be made.
Snow Tubing At Les Super Glissades St-Jean-De-Matha
Have you ever seen a snow tube that holds up to 12 people? Neither had we until we discovered Les Super Glissades St-Jean-de-Matha. This was a snow-tubing adventure like nothing we had ever seen before. From gentle slides to high-speed downhill thrill rides, we can assure you that it wasn’t just the kids who were having fun!
Day 5: Le Baluchon Éco Villégiature
I have dreamed of visiting Le Baluchon Éco Villégiature—an eco-driven resort—for many years. Experiencing it first hand was nothing short of a dream. They have beautifully integrated the resort experience and the outdoor world. I challenge anyone to visit and not leave with a renewed perspective on living wonderfully and harmoniously with nature.
Dogsledding at Le Baluchon Éco Villégiature
Our guides lined up two sleds for us, each of us able to bundle up one of our kids under blankets in the front of the sled. Then we were taught the basics on how to lead a dog sled and headed off into the trails. I’ve been dog sledding quite a few times since this experience, but can say that this was the only time we were allowed to lead our own sleds. I also loved that this was an extended tour, versus many, which are more introductory and last only 15 minutes. We were out on the trail for about an hour (if not longer), and our whole family got to take part. If you’ve ever wanted to go dog sledding, I can say that this was my favourite dog sledding experience I’ve ever had.
Skating Through The Forest In Quebec
An old favourite Canadian winter activity with a new twist on location, skating and trail explorations have been combined. Nestled into the forests of Lac des Loups, one of nine villages that make up the municipality of La Pêche, Quebec, you will find the enchanting winter experience, the Quebec skating trail through the forest or “Patinage en Forêt” in French. Trails of the most pristine ice curve through the forest, allowing you to immerse yourselves in the Hardwood Forest of Quebec. Put simply, it was magical.
Day 6: Hôtel De Glace, Valcartier, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, QC
Another bucket list item: If you are going to go on a Canadian Winter road trip, you need to stay in a real ice hotel during your stay. It truly feels like you are entering another world as you step inside Hôtel De Glace, the only hotel in North America made 100% of ice and snow. Guests can choose to do a site tour and have a drink at the ice bar or stay overnight in the Hotel de Glace.
We put together a very comprehensive review of our visits to the hotel (yes, plural, as we’ve gone multiple times), including everything you need to know to plan your overnight adventure at Hotel de Glace. If you do one thing on this list, this is it!
Day 7 – 8: Quebec City
I left my heart where we closed out our trip—in beautiful Quebec City. This was my first time visiting Quebec City, and it wouldn’t be my last, as I honestly fell in love with one of Canada’s oldest cities. The people, the architecture, the sights… it just invites you in with a warm welcome, and you never want to leave.
Carnaval De Québec
The Quebec winter carnival was in full swing during our stay, and we found ourselves dancing in the streets to celebrate. Quebec traditions combine with activities and seasonal events to make this annual carnival the highlight of winter in Quebec City (and yes, it’s a good time, even at -40 degrees).
E-Bike Tour of Old Quebec City
One of the best ways to explore a city is by bike. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it’s also great exercise and allows you to explore the city like a local. Quebec City is the perfect place to do a fat-tire electric bike guided tour. Our winter guided e-bike tour in Quebec City was the perfect combination of adventure and education. Our certified Quebec City guide was constantly stopping to share fun and hidden facts that we would have missed had we not had a guide.
Go Tobogganing at 1884
A trip to Quebec City in the winter must include a ride on the classic Canadian toboggans that have been on the Dufferin Terrace since 1884 (hence the name). For only $3.50 you can get a ticket, grab a toboggan, and race down the icy tracks at speeds of up to 70km, and if you’re anything like me you’ll be giggling the whole way down (and probably going for a second or third lap). I love that the city has maintained this attraction not only as a fun city adventure but also as a preservation of the culture and history that make Quebec City so unique.
Strøm Spa Nordique
Imagine sitting in a hot tub all while looking out over the St. Lawrence River while huge chunks of ice float by. This setting was the perfect place for Strøm Spa Nordique, a Nordic Spa experience on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Located only a ten-minute drive from the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, an indulgent spa experience was the perfect way to break up our trip and I highly recommend you check it out too!
Where to Stay in Quebec
In Downtown Quebec City – Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is the most luxurious stay in the heart of Quebec City, with the location being one of the biggest benefits. Right on top of the promontory overlooking Old Quebec, you can head down the funicular from the front steps of the hotel, head over to the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site, or stroll the streets of Quebec. There’s just so much to do steps from the front door.
Book your stay at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac here!
15 minutes Outside of the City – Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations
If you’re looking to stay at one of the best Indigenous-owned and operated hotels in Canada, book a stay at Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations. This four-star luxury experience exceeded my expectations in every way. I think what I found the most inspiring was how they mixed the modern innovative design but kept the roots of the Indigenous culture firmly interwoven into every element of the guest experience. This is a truly unique experience and one that I highly recommend that you add to your stay while visiting Quebec City.
Book your stay at Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations here!
Best time to Go On A Canadian Winter Road Trip
One thing we knew we wanted out of our winter road trip was for it to be rooted in Canadian spirit, tradition and celebration. That’s why we built our itinerary around the winter festival loop from Winterlude in Ontario to Carnival in Quebec. Both festivals immersed us in Canadian culture with fun activities, music, adventure, and more. Check their websites for next year’s dates and map out the rest of your trip from there.
Tip: If you have any must-do winter activities on your list—such as skating on the Rideau Canal—be sure your dates match up with their open season so as you aren’t disappointed.
What To Pack for Canadian Winter Road Trip
There is no sugar-coating it—winter in Canada is cold! But don’t let that scare you away. As long as you’re prepared, the cold will not put a damper on your experience. Just know from the get-go that you will not be packing a small overnight bag for this road trip. No, for this trip you will need the big suitcase.
You want to be prepared to come against temperatures as low as -30°C. This means layers:
- Base layer (sweat-wicking clothing)
- Mid layer (think fleece)
- Outer layer (snow pants, winter coat)
- Gloves
- Socks
- Toques and neck-warmers (if you have room to bring extras, bring them)
- Balaclavas
- Goggles (these were useful when we were tubing)
- Sunglasses
- Boots (Good to – 40°C)
- Hand-warmers! Lots and lots of hand-warmers (which are good for toes too, and my photography hack is to put them in your pockets with your camera batteries, which helps them stay warm and charged)
Canadian Winter Road Trip Safety Considerations
Canadian winter conditions can be harsh, and you should be prepared to drive in those conditions if you are visiting during the Canadian winter season. Some tips to keep you safe include:
- Ensuring your rental car has snow tires. Some highways require them, and it will make a huge difference so be sure to check that your rental has snow tires.
- Travelling during the day makes for easier driving conditions. Don’t plan to leave early in the morning before the roads have been cleared.
In conclusion, if you’re looking to head from Ottawa to Quebec in the winter, embracing this itinerary will help ensure you see the most in the region. I promise you won’t regret embracing winter on your next getaway and sharing with your family all the amazing things Canada has to offer when covered under a blanket of snow.
Inspired to check out Quebec and Ontario? Read the blogs below for some ideas from our trip!
Is this a sponsored post?: Yes while our Our Ultimate Canadian Winter Road Trip is sponsored all thoughts and opinions are our own.
