Quebec winter outings with kids, from the ice hotel to Île d'Orléans

Age limits for all six outings

Each listing sets its own limits, and they vary widely. The two tickets at Valcartier name no minimum age, while the spa by the river takes nobody under 16.

A minimum age on a listing is firm, and an operator can turn a child away at check-in. For the outings with limits, it does no harm to carry something that shows a child's age.

Valcartier as the family base

Village Vacances Valcartier holds both the Hôtel de Glace and the snow tubing park, about 20 minutes' drive north of Quebec City. With small children that matters because one drive and one parking lot give you two outings.

The tubing listing calls the park the largest winter playground in North America, which is its own claim. For families the useful part is the Central Area, where seven slides are set aside for gentler family runs.

Older kids will eye Everest and the four steep Himalaya runs, which top out close to 80 km/h (50 mph). The listing gives no height or age rules for single slides, so ask at the park before a child heads for the fast ones.

Tubing tickets cover entry and parking but no food or winter clothes. The listing asks for ski clothing down to the goggles, and children need the full set as much as adults do.

Weekends tend to draw more families than weekdays, so a school-free weekday is usually calmer. Our page on when to visit the ice hotel covers the calendar, and our Valcartier day guide explains how to split the hours.

The ice hotel with small children

The Hôtel de Glace visit is self-guided, so you set the pace, which helps with toddlers. A child who has had enough after twenty minutes can head for the exit without holding up a group.

Inside, the air stays below freezing, so dress children as if they were playing outdoors. The listing warns of outdoor temperatures as low as −25 °C (−13 °F), and small bodies lose heat faster than yours.

The floors are packed snow and ice. We found nothing on the listing about strollers, so a baby carrier may be the easier choice, and it makes sense to ask at the entrance if you bring wheels.

Children usually head straight for the sculptures and the ice bar, which makes a good photo stop even if nobody orders. Drinks there cost extra. The full walk-through is in our guide to the inside of the Hôtel de Glace.

Snowmobiling with a child of nine or older

Quebec Ski-doo Adventures takes passengers from age 9 on its 1.5-hour ride on Île d'Orléans. The driver must be 18 or older with a valid driving licence from their own country. In practice a parent drives while the child rides behind.

Each snowmobile takes two people, which suits a parent with one child. A family of three is an odd number, though, so the third rider either shares with someone from another group or pays for two places to ride alone.

Helmets and winter gear come in sizes XS to XXXL on the listing. It says nothing about smaller children's sizes, so mention a slight nine-year-old when you book.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early, because late arrivals lose their place without a refund. The guided island ride from ~$153 holds 4.9 from 230+ reviews on GetYourGuide, and our snowmobile guide covers the rest.

Teenagers on the ice canoe and at the spa

From 12, the ice canoe on the St Lawrence opens up. It lasts about 3 hours and needs moderate fitness, since you push the canoe across floating ice wearing crampons as well as paddling.

The ice canoe tour from ~$207 stops halfway for hot chocolate and pastries on the ice and ends in a Nordic sauna with a river view. Cancellation closes 4 days before, so book once your plans are firm.

Strøm Nordic Spa takes guests from 16, so a family with younger children cannot go in together. Parents can take turns instead, one at the spa while the other walks the kids around Old Quebec a few steps away.

The snowshoe day, long but gentle

Quatre Natures takes children from 8 on its snowshoe day in Jacques-Cartier National Park. No experience is needed. Lunch and a hot drink are served in a heated tent.

The catch for families is the length. The bus leaves Quebec City at 9 am and comes back at about 4 pm, with the guided part running from 10:30 am to 2 pm, and a tired eight-year-old has no early ride home.

Winter clothing is not included but can be rented, and our guide to dressing for the Quebec cold covers layering for children. The snowshoe day from ~$121 covers transport and the guide as well as equipment and park admission.

What a family day costs

For a family of four, the two Valcartier tickets come to four times ~$29 plus four times ~$33 before food and the drive. That total is still less than two seats on the snowmobile ride.

Every price on this site is per person. Check the listing for your date in case a child rate appears, and see our cost guide for the extras the tickets leave out, from taxis to meals.