There are two ways to live through a Québec winter: endure it or embrace it. In Mauricie, the second option is easy. Snow stays on the ground from December to March, the lakes freeze, the forest goes quiet. And, unlike in summer, there is almost never a queue.
Skating through the forest
This is the region’s most unusual winter experience: at Domaine Enchanteur in Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, you skate along some fifteen kilometres of iced trails winding between the trees. Bring good skates, warm clothes and plan a hot chocolate at the end.
Skiing, downhill or cross-country
For downhill skiing, Vallée du Parc in Shawinigan is the family resort of reference, and Station Plein Air Val-Mauricie is perfect for beginners. Way up north, Ski La Tuque benefits from the abundant snow of Haute-Mauricie.
For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, La Mauricie National Park is unbeatable: groomed trails, heated shelters, and total silence. The Saint-Jean-des-Piles entrance stays open all year. Closer to Trois-Rivières, Héritage Carcajou Park in Saint-Boniface offers fifteen kilometres of free trails, and Vallée Rocanigan grooms its cross-country tracks as soon as the first snow falls.
Ice fishing
From late December to mid-February, the tommy cod fishing season turns Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade into a village of colourful huts on the frozen river. You fish for tommy cod in the warmth of a heated cabin, as a family. It is a tradition unique in the world, and one of our favourites.
For a wilder ice-fishing experience, Club Hosanna outfitter in Trois-Rives offers ice fishing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
Dog sledding and wide-open spaces
Coop Le Voisinage du bout du monde in Saint-Paulin runs dog-sled outings as well as cross-country skiing. The big resorts — Le Baluchon, Hôtel Sacacomie, the Auberge du Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire — are built for winter: trails, outdoor spa, fireplace.
The season’s events
- Christmas at the Shrine in Trois-Rivières: a Christmas market, illuminated gardens and a miniatures exhibition over the holidays.
- Noël dans l’Caxton in Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, a village Christmas in storytelling country.
- ArtikFest in Trois-Rivières in February, the urban winter party.
- The Shawinigan Snocross Grand Prix, for thrill seekers.
Warming up
After a day outside, a Nordic spa is a must: KiNipi in Trois-Rivières combines baths, a restaurant and rooms. And for hot chocolate, the village cafés do the job beautifully: Café Bucolique in Shawinigan, La Bezotte in Yamachiche or the Café Bistro du Village in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc.
Winter tips
- It can reach −25 °C: layer up, protect your extremities, and never underestimate the wind on a frozen lake.
- Back roads are ploughed, but winter tires are mandatory in Québec from December to March.
- Days are short: leave early, and keep indoor visits for late afternoon.
Find all the season’s activities on the Winter page of the guide.
