Midwinter Nordic and Alpine Skiing East of Quebec City

Morning — Alpine skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne

Drive from Québec City to Mont-Sainte-Anne in Beaupré via Autoroute 440 East, Autoroute 40 East, and Route 138—allow roughly 45–55 minutes in winter traffic. Aim to arrive around 8:00–8:30 a.m. so you have time to park, collect rentals, and be on the lifts near opening. The resort offers extensive alpine terrain, rentals, and lessons on-site; a day lift ticket and rental package will commonly run about C$100–180, depending on booking date and equipment. Check the mountain’s live conditions and lift schedule the night before, and leave extra time for snowy roads and boot changes.

Ski until late morning, using the higher trails if visibility is good and keeping the lower mountain as a backup when wind or cloud settles in. For lunch, stay slopeside at Le Saint-Bernard, where a relaxed Québec-style meal—roughly C$20–35 per person—makes more sense than driving elsewhere and losing valuable ski time. Expect casual fare and a busy room at the main lunch rush, so arriving just before noon is the easiest way to get a table.

Afternoon and Evening — Thermal circuit, then dinner

After skiing, drive about 35–45 minutes to Nordic Spa Stoneham in Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury. Reserve a late-afternoon or early-evening admission in advance, especially for a Saturday-style winter atmosphere even though this is a Friday: the outdoor thermal pools, saunas, and quiet areas are a particularly good way to recover after six hours on the mountain. Plan for about two hours, bring a swimsuit and sandals, and remember that alternating hot and cold areas is best done gradually; winter parking is available on-site.

Finish in Limoilou, Québec City, at Le Pied Bleu, allowing approximately 30–35 minutes from the spa depending on traffic. The restaurant’s inventive Québec cooking and emphasis on local products make it a fitting final meal, with dinner generally around C$45–75 per person before drinks and gratuity. Reserve ahead, then wander briefly along 3e Avenue afterward if you still have energy—the neighborhood has a lived-in, local feel and is a pleasant contrast to the resort day.

Morning — Le Massif de Charlevoix

Spend the main part of the day at Le Massif de Charlevoix, where the trails drop toward broad views of the St. Lawrence River—one of Québec’s most memorable ski settings. Plan on roughly six hours on the mountain, from opening through mid-afternoon; check the resort’s 2027 operating calendar and lift status before leaving, since wind can affect upper-mountain lifts. Arrive early enough to collect rentals and buy or scan lift tickets, and keep winter driving time in mind on the access road. The resort is spread out, so leave gloves and extra layers in the car or locker rather than planning to return frequently.

Lunch — Camp Boule

Break around midday at Camp Boule, the summit-area dining stop at Le Massif. Allow about an hour for a hot meal and a proper warm-up, with approximately C$20–35 per person before drinks. It is worth timing lunch slightly outside the busiest noon rush if conditions are good—ski until around 12:30 p.m., eat, then get back out while the afternoon light is still excellent. Keep an eye on the clock: lifts and food service may wind down earlier than you expect in midwinter.

Late Afternoon and Evening — Baie-Saint-Paul galleries and Le Mouton Noir

After skiing, drive into Baie-Saint-Paul and leave the car near the compact downtown core; a 1.5-hour wander along Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste and nearby side streets is enough to sample the town’s concentrated collection of Québec galleries and studios. Opening hours are seasonal and many smaller galleries close around 5 p.m., so head down promptly after changing and check individual listings before committing. Finish at Le Mouton Noir, an easygoing restaurant and bar near the river, for regional dishes and Québec craft beverages. Budget about C$35–60 per person, and reserve ahead for Saturday evening. After dinner, keep the rest of the night unhurried—Baie-Saint-Paul is best enjoyed as a slow stroll through its lit-up historic streets rather than another scheduled stop.

Morning — Ski Le Massif de Charlevoix

Leave Baie-Saint-Paul around 7:00 a.m. for the short drive along Québec Route 138 to Le Massif de Charlevoix; allow extra time for winter conditions and arrive early enough to park, collect rentals, and check the lift-status board. Spend about five focused hours on the mountain, seeking out the steeper runs and wooded terrain rather than simply repeating yesterday’s sightseeing-oriented laps. The resort’s exposed viewpoints can be windy, so keep a warm layer and face covering accessible, and confirm lift and trail operations before setting out; adult lift tickets commonly run roughly C$100–140 depending on date and booking time.

Lunch — Le Bercail

Stay slopeside for lunch at Le Bercail, in the Le Massif base area, rather than losing time driving elsewhere. Allow about an hour for a casual meal—budget approximately C$20–35 per person—and expect the busiest period between noon and 1:00 p.m. A slightly early or late lunch makes it easier to get a table and return to the lifts while the afternoon snow is still in good shape.

Late afternoon and evening — Laiterie Charlevoix and Le Café Aragon

After skiing, drive back toward Baie-Saint-Paul and stop at Laiterie Charlevoix for about 45 minutes of regional cheese and dairy tastings. Check its seasonal opening hours before leaving the mountain, since winter retail hours can be narrower than summer hours; a small cooler in the car is useful if you buy cheese to take along. Continue into central Baie-Saint-Paul for the evening at Le Café Aragon, an artsy, relaxed place for coffee, dessert, or a light meal—budget roughly C$10–25 per person. It is a good low-key finish after a demanding ski day, with time to browse the galleries and snowy streets around the village if you still have energy.

Morning — Ski Mont Grand-Fonds

Make Mont Grand-Fonds your main event today, arriving close to opening after the drive from the west. The hill is about 20 minutes north of La Malbaie on Route 381, through a quiet, forested landscape; allow extra time for snow-covered roads and wildlife at dawn. Check the resort’s lift and trail report before leaving, and confirm the exact opening time—winter schedules can vary by weekday and conditions. Parking is generally straightforward at the base, but arrive early to collect rentals and avoid losing the best part of the morning. Spend roughly five and a half hours skiing: the appeal here is the uncrowded atmosphere, powdery glades, and open views toward the Charlevoix countryside rather than a large-resort village scene.

Lunch and afternoon — Le Sommet, then Domaine Forget de Charlevoix

Take an unhurried lunch at Le Sommet, the ski-area restaurant, around midday. Budget approximately C$15–30 per person, and expect a practical cafeteria-style meal rather than a destination restaurant; eating on-site saves the time and hassle of driving into town in the middle of the ski day. After your final runs, drive back toward La Malbaie and continue west along Route 138 to Domaine Forget de Charlevoix in Saint-Irénée, roughly 15–20 minutes away. Allow about an hour for the estate, but only count on entry if a winter exhibit, concert, or scheduled program is operating—much of the cultural programming is seasonal, and outdoor areas may be limited in January. Check the official calendar before setting out, and dress warmly for the grounds.

Evening — Dinner at Le Saint-Pub

Return to central La Malbaie for dinner at Le Saint-Pub, a relaxed town-centre stop with local beer and approachable pub food. The drive from Saint-Irénée takes about 15 minutes via Route 138; in the evening, roads can be dark and icy, so don’t rush the final leg. Plan on C$25–45 per person before drinks and about 90 minutes for the meal. It is worth calling ahead for opening hours and a table, especially on a winter Monday, then keep the rest of the evening easy—after a full day at Mont Grand-Fonds, a short stroll around La Malbaie is plenty.

Morning — Ski Mont-Comi

Set out early for Mont-Comi, near Saint-Donat east of Rimouski, and plan on roughly five hours on the hill. This is a more relaxed, local mountain than the major Charlevoix resorts, with a good mix of groomed alpine runs, wooded glades, and quieter lift lines. Check the snow report and lift status before leaving, and keep your winter tires and windshield fluid topped up—the final approach can be fully rural and snowy. A day pass is typically around C$60–85, with rentals extra; arrive before the main morning rush so you can park, collect equipment, and get onto the lifts efficiently.

Lunch — Auberge du Mange Grenouille

For a warm regional lunch or a substantial snack, stop at Auberge du Mange Grenouille in Saint-Donat, allowing about an hour and roughly C$20–40 per person. It is a good place to slow the pace after skiing rather than trying to squeeze in another run: expect a cozy inn setting and Québec comfort food suited to a winter day. Call ahead or verify the restaurant’s winter opening hours, since service can be seasonal and more limited outside peak periods.

Late Afternoon and Evening — Parc des Chutes and Le Café de la Brûlerie

After driving into Rivière-du-Loup, stretch your legs at Parc des Chutes, where wooded paths lead to the city’s waterfall and suspension bridge. Allow about an hour, and wear winter boots with good traction; the bridge and packed-snow trails can be slippery, particularly near dusk. Finish downtown at Le Café de la Brûlerie for coffee and a light meal, budgeting C$10–25 per person. It is a pleasant, low-key way to end the trip—walk a few blocks around the downtown streets afterward if conditions are comfortable, but check the café’s evening hours before setting out.