Visit a winter wonderland in Northern Quebec, with a pristine winter landscape draped in snow. Travelers can explore a national park on snowshoes or by snowmobile. Outdoor activities leading the way in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Even winter sports novices can learn to snowmobile or ice fish as they travel through the pristine boreal forest known for its beauty and peacefulness. With all that activity, sample Quebecois favorites before retreating to a cabin or chalet for an unforgettable winter escape. Here are the top wintery things to do in Saguenay.
7 Wintery Things to Do in Saguenay
Stay in a Chalet with views of the Saguenay Fjord
Sip a Sortilege, a Whisky-Maple drink
Snowshoe in Monts-Valin National Park
Stay in a Cabin in the Park
Take a Snowmobiling Tour of Saguenay
Learn how to Ice Fish
Tour the Musee du Fjord
Where is Saguenay Canada
Located about 200 km (120 miles) from Quebec City, Canada, Saguenay is part of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Originally settled as Chicoutimi, a French trading post for fur trappers in 1676, this area is home to more French speakers than Montreal or even Quebec City.
Saguenay is inland from the St. Lawrence River on the Saguenay Fjord, which freezes during the winter. This area focuses on outdoor adventure, even during the coldest days in winter.
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Day 1 Arrive at Cap au Leste
For the first day of a 3-day itinerary for Saguenay, Canada, in Winter, check in at the local chalet, Cap au Leste. Along the shores of the Saguenay Fjord and set among the pines, guests will enjoy the rustic yet refined ambiance of the secluded inn.
Cap au Leste offers several chalets, each offering a variety of rooms with a common area outside your ensuite room. Most areas are outfitted with cozy common seating, a stove and a small library to sit back and savor the views of the Saguenay Fjord.
The restaurant, the Mukushan, is located on-site in the main lodge and offers a breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner. Fusing Canadian and boreal influences, the meals are created by a French chef. Starting with breakfast, guests can enjoy the view of the river from its dining room. The Mukushan dinner service has three courses.
After dinner, guests can savor a nightcap with a view of the fjord, like a Sortilege, a whisky maple drink. Beer drinkers might want to sample one of the locally brewed beers.
Located downstairs, guests can slip into the heated indoor pool for a swim. Afterward, guests can take in the view from its sauna that boasts windows overlooking the fjord. It is one of the top experiences at the Cap au Leste.
During the day, guests can get outfitted with snowshoes to explore the pristine landscape at Cap au Leste. For a unique Quebecois experience, guests can arrange a dogsled trek through the backcountry with a team of huskies. Snowmobiling is also available at Cap au Leste. All winter activities start at the main lodge building.
Cap au Leste is located at 555 Chemin du Cap a l’Est in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord. It’s 39 km from Saguenay and 43 km from Monts-Valin National Park.
Day 2 Monts-Valin National Park
For the second day in Saguenay, Canada, visit its national park. With 154 square kilometers (59 square miles) of boreal wilderness, explore the snow-kissed woodland by snowshoe, ski or bike. Regardless of which mode of transportation you choose, the Discovery and Visitors Centre offers equipment and guidance for your trip, along with an interpretive center.
Monts Valin National Park is located at 360 rang Saint-Soice in Saint-Fulgence, north of Saguenay Fjord. Reservations are required to enter Monts Valin National Park and are available 30 days in advance. Admission for adults only ($8.57 CAN), kids under 18 are free. Equipment rental is extra, with hourly and daily rates available. Snowcat Shuttle is available for an additional fee, and reservations are required. For more information, visit the Sepaq website.
Snow Sports in Monts-Valin
For an easy and scenic snowshoeing trek, try the Lac des Péres, an easy 3-km loop that starts at the Discovery Center. This loop offers a scenic and level snowshoeing experience, great for beginners.
For an epic snowshoeing experience, head to the Vallée-des Fantômes. It’s a 6.5-km intermediate trail with a warming hut along the trail, and the trail ends at the Pavillon Antoine Dubuc, a cabin and warming hut.
For the most adventurous trip, reserve a guide and go off the trail. The backcountry guide will explain how to ascend mountains and then glide down while wearing snowshoes. The blowing snow covers the trees with fine, glistening snow, and they bend like something from a Dr. Seuss book. On a clear day, visitors can see the top of Pic Dubuc.
To snowshoe the Valley of the Phantoms, visitors should reserve the Snowcat Shuttle service in advance. One departure during the week and two times during the weekend. Pack plenty of water along with a hearty lunch and snacks since none are available during the excursion. Dress in layers, and goggles are advised for snowy or windy days. Snowshoes are available from $18.75 CAN a day for rent and reservations are required.
Note: The guide speaks in French primarily. Tours run from mid-December until mid-March.
Cross Country Skiing in Monts-Valin
Find five cross-country skiing loop trails in Monts-Valin National Park. There’s a 2 km easy trail to a 12 km difficult trail. Trails are maintained on weekends and during holiday breaks.
Back Country Skiing
For those who enjoy backcountry skiing, explore the landscape on one of 71 km of unmarked and unpacked trails. Be sure to pack a map.
Where to Stay in Mont Valins National Park
Located close, the cabins at Mont Valins National Park are the ideal location. They are heated and furnished with bedding, living and dining furniture, along with a wood-burning stove plus dry firewood.
Day Three Snowmobile Tour of Saguenay
For the final day of the 3-day Itinerary for Saguenay, Canada, in Winter, ditch the car and explore Saguenay with a snowmobile. There are several operators that rent snowmobiles.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is one of the top recreational activities in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area. For those new to the sport, riders will get outfitted with specialty gear, like heavy and padded jackets, snow pants, and gloves. Then, you’ll get a snowmobiling lesson before heading out on the snowmobile trail.
I did this during my trip to Saguenay, and it was exhilarating. I had never driven a snowmobile before, and I felt confident.
Saguenay Lac Saint Jean boasts several snowmobiling trails to tour. From snowmobiling to the peaks to routes through town, there are 3,800 km of groomed trails during the season. It is the Snowmobiling Paradise.
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Go Ice Fishing
The best way to experience this sport is in a heated hut. With a guide, learn how to bait your hook, then sit back and wait for the fish to bite. Heaters are available for the fishing huts, and they are quite cozy even on the coldest days.
This was my first ice fishing experience, and it was fun. However, I didn’t catch a fish. I really appreciated the heated hut.
Since the fjord is tidal, the huts rise and lower according to the tides. Reservations are required for day or night ice fishing sessions.
Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
Visitors can cross-country ski at the Bec Scie Nature Center with over 20 km of marked trails from beginner to advanced. Traditional cross-country skiing trails are available, along with an area to skate ski.
Snowshoeing is also available at the Bec Scie Nature Center, with four different trails.
Snowmobile around La Baie
With all the snow in Quebec, it is possible to snowmobile around the town of La Baie. In fact, La Baie features the third-largest trail network in Quebec.
The Summit Circuit is the trail to use to get around the town. Along the route, get equal doses of winter landscape along with the must-dos of Saguenay.
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Explore the Musee du Fjord
To learn more about the region and the fjord, guests should visit the Musee du Fjord. First up, see the 53,000-liter saltwater aquarium, which displays what lives in the Saguenay Fjord. Then visitors can see additional marine species up close in the tidal tank, located next to the aquarium.
The Navis multi-media show Journey into the Heart of the Saguenay Fjord. With aerial, land and underwater images to learn more about the fjord. The Vivarium offers a selection of unique (and colorful) insects from around the Quebec province. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Musee du Fjord offers temporary exhibits covering several themes.
Located at 3346 Boulevard de la Grand Baie Sud in La Baie. Adult admission is $17 CAN, students (18+) are $12.50 CAN and kids (6 to 17) are $10 CAN with kids 5 and younger entering for free. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, closed on Mondays.
How to Get Saguenay
To get to the region, the easiest way is to fly into Saguenay-Bagotville Airport (YBG) with service from major Canadian cities on Air Canada.
To drive to Saguenay, it is located about two-and-a-half hours northeast of Quebec City.
For your trip, pack high-quality winter outdoor gear for your winter weekend, including ski gear and mid-calf snow boots.
Disclosure
Consideration for brands mentioned. This trip was hosted by Quebec Original.
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