Quebec, Canada is a winter wonderland. It’s a great destination for families because of the province’s seasonal activities and holiday attractions. One of the many family-friendly places to visit in Quebec is Valcartier Vacation Village. Dubbed the Six Flags of winter, Valcartier winter playground has 35 snow slides, an indoor water park, spa, ice hotel, and an outdoor skate rink. Valcartier’s is full of snow-covered treetops and it’s loads of fun for all ages.
When to visit?
Valcartier is a year-round destination. In summer, the family-friendly destination operates as a waterpark and transitions to slide park in the winter. Families can experience tubing, rafting and an illuminated outdoor skate rink between the months of December and March 29.
Valcartier Winter Playground Park Hours and costs
Located just 20 minutes north of Quebec, Valcartier is open rain or shine, seven day a week, with varying times and costs for evening or day trips and for riders under and over 52 inches. Families of four or six can purchase ticket packages. Visitors can add on the Bora indoor waterpark, spa, and or ice hotel visit in differing combinations for additional fees. Costs and hours vary so, the best way to keep plan for your visit is to visit the park’s website.
Navigating Valcartier
Valcartier’s Winter Playground walkable and easy to navigate. Each ride within the park has a height requirement and is rated easy, difficult, or extreme. The playground’s hills are steep but due to the park’s fun lift style system, you don’t have to tediously walk back up every hill you slide down. Once you get to the top of the hill via the motorized lift, you simply choose which ride you want to tackle. Most of the rides are on a raft or innertubes. Rafts hold 4 -12 people. Slides are for one to four people with multiple innertube pickup and drop-off areas in the park.
Valcartier’s standout rides
We chose to ride the moderate and extreme rides. Everest is the highest “accelerating slide in North America.” This innertube slide, has a two person minimum. It initially appears intimidating. However, the adrenaline rush it provides is exhilarating without being overwhelming, making the experience entirely worthwhile. My ten and thirteen-year-old dared to ride it both with each other and with me.
The steep Himalaya slide has four ride options that can reach up to 80 km/h. We met some interesting people on the group raft, laughed a lot, and created unforgettable memories.
The outdoor skate rink with its mystical ambiance, stood out as a unique experience. Ice skate rental is available. The setting of the outdoor rink is stunning. Boats line the rink’s exterior and if it happens to snow while you are on the ice, it feels as if you are part of a movie.
Food
Valcartier has snack bars, café’s, and sweet treats on the property. e brought our own food but tried some of the tire d’erable. Tire d’erable is maple syrup placed on snow. The syrup dries into a taffy-like substance that is rolled on a stick as it dries. It is delicious to eat and a delight to watch it prepared.
Ultimately, the park is a lot of fun, and I don’t believe there are many other places like it. If you get the chance to visit Valcartier Vacation Village my family can guarantee it will be one of your family vacation highlights. Take a glimpls of our trip to Valcatier here. If you are wondering what you should pack for your winter vacation, you can find a few suggestions here.
