Outdoor pursuitsAt roughly 1.5 million sq km (524,252 sq miles), Québec is Canada’s biggest province. Its landscapes are diverse, with 6000km (3750 miles) of coastline, numerous rivers, mountain ranges and countless lakes and forests. The province’s 22 natural parks and 14 wildlife reserves provide opportunities for all types of outdoor activities. A variety of watersports can be practiced, from whitewater rafting to gentle boating, and canoes, kayaks, sailboards and other equipment can be hired in the parks. Detailed maps of canoe-camping itineraries are available
at information centers. Excellent watersports facilities exist on the St Lawrence River, especially for sailing, swimming and water-skiing. Several different species of whale can be observed in the mouth of the river at different times of the year, and whale-watching dinghy trips are available for visitors wishing to observe these creatures at close hand. The
St Lawrence River Valley is also good for moderate cycling, while the terrain in the
Laurentides region is more challenging. There are many marked cycling routes, and the cycling network, La Route Verte (the ‘Green Circuit’) so far boasts more than 3000km (1865 miles) of marked paths and designated roadways. Mountain bike enthusiasts will find plenty of trails in the parks and nature reserves, especially
Parc de la Jacques-Cartier and
Mont-Sainte-Anne near Québec City.
Wintersports facilities are outstanding. There are around 200 downhill and cross-country ski centers in the province. The season is long and there is plenty of snow. International downhill skiing competitions are held to the north of Montréal at Mont-Tremblant and at Mont-Sainte-Anne near Québec City. Cross-country skiing is very popular, and trails are extensive.
La Traversée de Charlevoix is the most challenging trail east of the Rocky Mountains. There are ample opportunities for snowmobiling on some of these trails. Other winter activities include snowshoe trekking, dog sledding, ice fishing and ice climbing. Various activities are available in the far north of the province, including wildlife viewing and air safaris.
GastronomyQuébec people take their food very seriously, and there are many opportunities to partake in the delights of the local cuisine. Several food and drink festivals take place each year. One of the highlights of the culinary year is the maple harvest which takes place from March until the end of May. Québec produces some 80 per cent of Canada’s maple syrup total.
Érablières (maple farms) and
cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks) are situated all over the province and most are open to the public in the season. Visitors can watch the harvest and sample maple toffee (made by pouring molten syrup onto fresh snow). Barn dance parties are held and meals featuring local specialties are served. These celebrations are popular with locals and visitors alike. For further details, contact Tourisme Québec (see
General Info section).
OtherExcellent golf facilities exist throughout the province. For further information, contact the Québec Golf Association (tel: (514) 633 1088; fax: (514) 633 1074; e-mail:
golfquebec@golfquebec.org; website:
www.golfquebec.org). Facilities for other sports, including tennis and fishing are very good. For general information about sport and activities in Canada, see the main
Canada section.
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