Complete guide to snowmobiling in Quebec
Imagine exploring seemingly endless snow-covered trails by snowmobile. Immersed in the forests of Quebec, you'll have a blast with your family and friends! Take bends, climb hills and challenge yourself! To experience all this, you need to snowmobile in Quebec!
Would you like to go snowmobiling in Quebec during your next trip to Canada, but know very little about this activity? We're here to help! With snowmobiling, get ready to get your adrenalin pumping in breathtaking winter landscapes! Quebec has a wide variety of landscapes, with vast expanses of snow-covered forests, majestic mountains and frozen lakes. Travelling through these wild and isolated places at high speed will give you an unrivalled sense of freedom. An experience not to be missed in Quebec!
To help you, we've put together a comprehensive guide to the basics of snowmobiling in Quebec. Soon you'll have a better understanding of why snowmobiling is a must-do activity in this province, where you can do it and why you should plan ahead.
Why snowmobile in Quebec?
There are plenty of outdoor winter activities in Quebec. Fat biking, ice climbing and dog sledding are all equally exciting experiences. But here's why you should definitely add snowmobiling to your list.
One of the most extensive snowmobile trail networks in the world
Quebec is a perfectly equipped destination for snowmobiling. In fact, the province has one of the most extensive trail networks in the world. You won't have time to get bored or revisit the same spot more than once, because there's always a new trail to explore!
To give you an idea, there are just over 33,000 kilometres of well-marked and well-maintained trails criss-crossing the province. These trails are managed by local clubs and guarantee the safety of users. On the trail, you'll easily find accommodation or a restaurant so you can make the adventure last as long as you like.
Check out this interactive map of snowmobile trails in Quebec for more details.
A means of transport rooted in Quebec culture
There's a reason why Quebec is so well equipped for snowmobiling! This Canadian province is the birthplace of the snowmobile as we know it today. The snowmobile was originally invented by Joseph-Armand Bombardier to enable people living in remote areas of Quebec to get around in winter. Travelling efficiently along the province's most isolated and snow-covered roads revolutionised rural transport and offered an alternative to dog sledding.
Snowmobiling then developed into a real sporting discipline, with numerous competitions. The first snowmobile race was organised in 1963 in Montreal.
Today, snowmobiling in Quebec has become a leisure activity for tourists visiting the province. By trying it out, they discover not only a sensational sporting discipline, but also an important part of Quebec culture.
An experience accessible to all
Unlike many sporting activities, snowmobiling is an accessible discipline. All you need is a valid driving licence. Since it's generally much more convenient to have a licence in Quebec, this condition is easily met.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, you'll have no trouble finding a trail to suit you among the many options available. Depending on the trail, children over the age of 8 can even join the outing as passengers. The experience will be even more accessible if you choose to go on an organised excursion with a professional guide.
An evolving activity: towards the emergence of electric snowmobiles
Snowmobiling doesn't have to be the noisy activity you think it is! More and more people are turning to electric snowmobiles to enjoy the thrills of snowmobiling while at the same time being more respectful of the environment, local people and wildlife.
Quebec is at the cutting edge of innovation, and was the birthplace of the first electric snowmobile. It was 3 Quebec engineers who succeeded in creating this vehicle and today maintain their position as leaders in this sector with the company Taiga Motors. The electric snowmobile is just as powerful as a traditional snowmobile. What's more, it requires less maintenance, emits no greenhouse gases and offers a much more pleasant, silent experience.
Where can you snowmobile in Quebec?
As you know, Quebec has just over 33,000 km of marked snowmobile trails! So when it comes to choosing where to go snowmobiling in Quebec, you're spoilt for choice.
Snowmobiling in the Laurentians
It's easy to go snowmobiling near Montreal and discover the Laurentians, a must-see nature destination just 1 hour north of the city. A varied landscape of forests, mountains and frozen lakes awaits you in the Laurentians.
Join an organised excursion and discover snowmobiling in the Laurentians with expert guides. Near Montreal, for example, you can go snowmobiling on Lac de Morency. You can also join a snowmobile tour in the Laurentians between Montreal and Mont-Tremblant. Still in the Laurentians, this snowmobile excursion near Mont-Tremblant offers you the chance to try the activity at night for an unusual experience!
Snowmobiling in Lanaudière
The Lanaudière region also enjoys a certain proximity to Montreal. Located around 1 hour's drive north-east of the city, this vast region is both rural and urban. Geographically, it is also close to Quebec City and Trois-Rivieres. Impressive lakes, rivers and waterfalls await you in Lanaudière, providing a sublime backdrop for your snowmobile outings in Quebec.
If you want to go snowmobiling in the Lanaudière region, you can explore the shores of Lac Taureau, for example. This lake is one of the largest water reservoirs in Quebec! While its beaches delight visitors in summer, in winter it's snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing that enchant outdoor enthusiasts.
Snowmobiling near Quebec City
Quebec City is the province's capital. Not far from this urban destination, the options for snowmobiling in Quebec are once again numerous. You can easily combine a visit to this city with a snowmobiling getaway in the great outdoors.
Head to Duchesnay near Lac Saint-Joseph to try snowmobiling near Quebec City! As well as Lac Saint-Joseph, you'll discover sublime forests, wooded hills and rivers. The Duchesnay tourist centre is a destination of choice for outdoor enthusiasts!
Another haven of peace awaits you in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, a picturesque little municipality in the Portneuf region. Try your hand at snowmobiling in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne and explore nature trails just 70km from Quebec City!
Snowmobiling in Charlevoix
Choose Charlevoix for your snowmobile excursion in Quebec and discover a tranquil region situated between the St. Lawrence and the Laurentian mountains. Located east of Quebec City, Charlevoix is renowned as a pleasant and welcoming nature destination. Its picturesque trails invite you to try snowmobiling in Charlevoix!
Head to La Malbaie for an electric snowmobile excursion in Charlevoix. This unique experience lets you snowmobile in an environmentally-friendly way. Thanks to the silence of the electric snowmobile, you'll have a better chance of spotting the local wildlife!
Snowmobiling near Tadoussac
The charming village of Tadoussac is renowned for its whale-watching and exceptional seascapes. Situated at the mouth of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, Tadoussac offers the chance to admire unique landscapes between sea and mountains.
If you'd like to take advantage of your stay near Tadoussac to try snowmobiling, we recommend discovering the Saguenay Fjord by snowmobile! This fjord is the most famous in Quebec, so combine it with one of the province's most popular sports and enjoy an authentic experience you won't soon forget!
Snowmobiling near Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
Travel up the fjord to Lac-Saint-Jean and discover an emblematic destination between the fjord and lake landscapes. To explore the mountain and forest trails of L'Anse-Saint-Jean, you can join this guided snowmobile tour of the Saguenay from L'Anse-Saint-Jean. If you prefer, this activity is also available by electric snowmobile.
If you want to go snowmobiling on Lac Saint-Jean, this snowmobile tour near Saguenay is for you! Departing from Alma, you'll discover the frozen lake as you speed across it.
Finally, visit Parc national des Monts-Valin by snowmobile and discover one of the largest national parks in Quebec. Monts-Valin also has the advantage of hilly trails. A great option for making your snowmobile excursion in Quebec even more fun. Another plus: the excursion is aboard an electric snowmobile!
Snowmobiling in Gaspésie
Go snowmobiling in the Gaspé Peninsula! Between the sea and the mountains, the Gaspé Peninsula is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in south-eastern Quebec. This region is also renowned for its snowmobiling, and you can expect a unique experience marked by the fishing culture as well as Quebecois and Acadian traditions.
Snowmobiling in Gaspésie gives you the chance to discover exceptional natural sites like the Monts Chic-Chocs. With their well-developed snowmobile trails and the beauty of their setting, these trails are highly regarded. You can also explore sections of the famous Route 132, one of the most beautiful scenic routes in Quebec, by snowmobile. These routes allow you to visit villages such as Sainte-Anne-des-Monts or Percé via federated trails.
How do you prepare for snowmobiling in Quebec?
It's decided, you're going snowmobiling in Quebec! Now all you have to do is plan your trip and your activity. Then it's off to the great Canadian outdoors!
Join a professionally supervised excursion
As we've already seen, snowmobiling is an accessible activity. However, there are a few things that can complicate the organisation of your trip: you'll need to hire the snowmobile and then, depending on the trip, find out about safety, access rights and other rules. You'll also need to plan an itinerary and perhaps even find out about the services available along the way for longer excursions.
To make things easier, we recommend that you go with a guide. He or she will know the region's snowmobile trails like the back of his or her hand and will be able to take you straight to the most beautiful spots. They can also tell you anecdotes about the region and teach you how to drive a snowmobile. This guarantees you a much more enjoyable experience, and you won't have to worry about the organisation!
Book your snowmobile outing online
Are you going to try snowmobiling for the first time, or do you already have some experience? Your level will be the first factor to take into account when choosing the right snowmobile activity. Choose the outing that suits you in advance and book it well in advance of your stay.
Online booking offers 2 main advantages. Firstly, you guarantee yourself a place to try this sport. As snowmobiling is a popular activity in Quebec, it's best to get in early! Secondly, you'll be able to enjoy your stay in peace, knowing that the outing has already been planned and organised. It's a time-saver that also lets you compare the different options easily. Once you've booked the activity, all you have to do is turn up and have fun!
Don't leave Quebec without trying snowmobiling! This sensational activity, typical of Quebec, will open the doors to a network of well-groomed trails on which the province's most beautiful landscapes await you. There's no better place to go snowmobiling in Canada! Don't wait, plan your snowmobiling adventure in Quebec today on Manawa.com!