What to wear at minus 25 in Quebec
Quebec City winters are long and cold, and each outing near the city asks for slightly different clothing. This guide starts with the temperatures you can expect and a base set of layers. Then it goes through the changes to make for each of the six outings on our site.
How cold Quebec City gets
In January and February, daytime temperatures in Quebec City often sit around −10 °C (14 °F). Nights are colder, and the wind pushes the felt temperature lower still.
Cold snaps can drop toward −25 °C (−13 °F). The ice hotel listing gives outdoor temperatures from −25 °C up to 5 °C (41 °F), which shows how wide the swing can be within a single winter.
Days are short as well, with darkness by about 5 pm in January. Anything you do after dusk, such as seeing the ice hotel lit up, falls in a colder part of the day.
A base set of layers
Start with a thin base layer that moves sweat away from the skin. Merino or synthetic tops and leggings both work. Cotton holds moisture and chills you once you stop moving.
Avoid tight boots, because cramped toes go numb quickly. Leave room for a thick wool sock and a little wiggle space, even if that means buying half a size up.
Over that goes a warm mid layer of fleece or wool, then a windproof ski jacket. Snow pants keep your legs dry when you sit on a tube or kneel in the snow for a photo.
Hands and feet lose heat first, so spend money there before you buy a new parka. On a cold day these extras matter more than any brand name on your jacket.
- a hat that covers your ears
- a neck warmer or buff
- mittens or insulated gloves, plus thin liners
- wool socks, with a spare pair
- insulated winter boots with a good grip
Ice hotel and snow tubing at Valcartier
Inside the Hôtel de Glace, entry from ~$29, the air stays below freezing, so you keep your full outdoor kit on for the whole visit. Treat it as an outdoor walk with a roof and keep your hat and gloves on.
For snow tubing, from ~$33, the listing asks for ski clothing from jacket and snow pants down to gloves and goggles. Goggles help most on the fast runs where spray and wind hit your face at speed.
Neither ticket includes winter clothes, and food costs extra at both. Our plan for tubing and the ice hotel in one day suggests an order that keeps you moving between the two.
On the snowmobile
The snowmobile operator hands out a helmet and winter gear for riders of every size. You arrive in your base and mid layers, and the suit goes on top. The layers underneath are the part you control.
The listing suggests sunglasses for the glare off the snow. Wind at 70 km/h (43 mph) bites hard, so a buff under the helmet helps, and our guide to the island snowmobile ride covers the rest of the day.
Passengers often feel the cold more than drivers, since they have less to do and sit still for longer. Swapping seats during the ride, which the operator allows, shares the chill more fairly.
On the ice canoe, dress lighter
The ice canoe is the exception to the rule of more layers. Paddling and pushing the canoe is hard work, so the operator asks for thin technical layers and a light winter jacket that is not too warm.
The operator supplies neoprene boots and crampons. You bring two pairs each of warm socks and tights plus two long-sleeved technical layers. Add a change of clothes, and the ice canoe guide has the full list.
For the snowshoe day in Jacques-Cartier
The Quatre Natures snowshoe day, from ~$121, lasts from 9 am to about 4 pm. The guided walk itself takes 10:30 am to 2 pm in Jacques-Cartier National Park. Winter clothing is not included, but the listing offers it for rent.
Walking on snowshoes warms you up, and lunch in a heated tent lets you cool down again. Dress in layers you can open or remove, and keep a dry spare top in your bag for the afternoon.
A guided day on snowshoes, bus included
Quatre Natures picks you up in Quebec City at 9 am for ~$121 and brings you back about 4 pm. Equipment and park admission are covered, as is lunch with a hot drink, and winter clothing can be rented. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
For the Nordic spa
At Strøm Nordic Spa Old Québec, from ~$70 you need a swimsuit and sandals. A robe and towel come with entry, and so does a locker, so the rest of your bag can stay small.
Wet hair turns stiff quickly between the outdoor pools on a cold day, so a wool hat helps. Phones and cameras are restricted inside, which leaves you one less thing to keep warm.
Phone batteries and small extras
Phone batteries drain fast in the cold. Keep your phone in an inside pocket close to your body, and carry a small power bank for long days such as the snowshoe outing.
Chemical hand warmers are cheap and slip into mittens or boots. Pharmacies and outdoor shops in Quebec City usually stock them, along with spare gloves if you lose a pair.
For when each outing runs, see our guide to the best time to visit. The cost guide shows which tickets include gear and which leave it to you.