What to do this winter in Portneuf
By David C, October 29 2024
With Festiglace, Festival de la banquise, outdoor activities for all tastes and local delights, Portneuf is abuzz with excitement in winter! Here are our suggestions to make the most of winter, both indoors and outdoors!
Festiglace in Pont-Rouge – February 19 - 23, 2025
Pont-Rouge’s Festiglace welcomes the world’s ice-climbing elite and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages in a spectacular setting and a festive atmosphere. The festival features climbing competitions on the ice walls of the Jacques-Cartier River as well as a host of activities: exhibitors’ village, zipline, children’s area, contests, ice-climbing training sessions, evening talks and much more.
Details, registration and program available here.
Festival de la banquise in Portneuf – March 1 and 2, 2025
Festival de la banquise welcomes a few hundred ice canoeists to the wharf in Portneuf to highlight this heritage sport! On site, the whole family can enjoy local food, sledding, snow sculpting, a mini-market, music and family entertainment, and, of course, Portneuf’s famous ice canoeing race, one of seven races that make up the circuit called Circuit québécois de canot à glace. With the Festival celebrating its 20th edition this year, the race promises to be full of surprises.
Details and program available here.
Winter sports and hiking
The Portneuf region knows how to impress when it comes to outdoor activities! Whether you’re looking for a short winter hike under the spruce trees, ice wall climbing, a snowshoeing expedition in the mountains, cross-country skiing for all levels, fatbiking or downhill skiing, there’s no shortage of choice. We’ve put together a list of 9 top sites for winter sports in the region.
See our suggestions here.
Snowmobiling
A snowmobiler’s paradise, Portneuf is crisscrossed with trails from east to west, starting in Saint-Raymond or Deschambault-Grondines. Five snowmobile clubs to welcome you to Portneuf. Click here to discover the packages offered in the region and consult the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec trail map.
Shows
Whether you live in the region or you’re just passing through, enjoy entertaining shows in our venues this winter: Elisapie, Louis T, We Are Wolves, Klô Pelgag, Silvi Tourigny, Mario Tessier, Pierre-Luc Pomerleau, Pagliaro, Steve Hill and many more are on the bill.
Be sure to check in on our calendar of shows and events here.
Local products
Fine cheeses, microbrewery beers, artisan breads, meats, maple products, restaurants serving up local flavours . . . All the best you can find is in Portneuf! Take advantage of winter to enjoy a comforting meal (hello fondue and raclette!) by visiting our gourmet stores, cheese dairies and agrifood producers and processors. Many businesses have joined forces under Portneuf, Culture de saveurs to promote local agrifood delights—a great starting point for planning a mouth-watering itinerary! Discover our flavours here.
Accommodation
Top-comfort micro-cabins, wilderness yurts, town inns, country cottages or a log cabin village... With our wide range of accommodation, there is something for everyone. Good times guaranteed!
Check out our accommodation options here.
We look forward to seeing you on our regional trails, in a concert hall or perhaps by the ice pack! Remember to tag us on Facebook and Instagram at #PortneufInegalable and #regionportneuf.