The easiest winter trip in Canada joins its two big February festivals: Winterlude in Ottawa–Gatineau, January 29 to February 15, 2027 (Government of Canada), and the Carnaval de Québec, February 5 to 14, 2027 (official organiser). They overlap for ten days, so in one week you can see both and add skiing at Tremblant, whose 2026–27 season runs November 26, 2026 to April 18, 2027 (Tremblant). For mountain scenery out west, Banff and the Rockies are a separate trip.
A winter-only trip: these festivals and ski seasons have fixed dates, so build the route around them.
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See the route before you go
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Illustrative route. Confirm times, closures and access before you go.
Key winter 2026–27 dates
| What | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Winterlude (49th edition), Ottawa–Gatineau | ✅ Official (Canadian Heritage) | Jan 29 – Feb 15, 2027 |
| Carnaval de Québec | ✅ Official (Carnaval de Québec) | Feb 5 – Feb 14, 2027 |
| Tremblant ski season | ✅ Official (Tremblant) | Nov 26, 2026 – Apr 18, 2027 |
| Rideau Canal Skateway, Ottawa | ⚠️ Probable | Opens only when the ice is safe; usually January to early March |
| Winterlude and Carnaval 2027 programmes and hours | ⚠️ Not announced | Published closer to the date |
Where to go
- Ottawa–Gatineau: Winterlude takes place at Confederation Park in Ottawa and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, with activities concentrated on weekends.
- Québec City: the Carnaval brings ice and snow sculptures, Bonhomme's ice palace, two night parades and the ice canoe race on the St. Lawrence.
- Mont-Tremblant: a ski village in the Laurentians, a natural stop between Ottawa and Québec. We have a separate Mont-Tremblant winter guide.
- Western Canada: Banff and the Rockies suit a ski or scenery trip of their own; we cover them in a separate guide.
7-day itinerary (Fri Feb 5 – Thu Feb 11, 2027)
Arrive in Ottawa
Watch day 1- Evening walk downtown and along the canal. Check whether the Skateway is open on the National Capital Commission's site.
Winterlude
Watch day 2- Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park for ice sculptures and family activities (2027 programme still to be published). Skate the canal if the ice is open.
Ottawa to Mont-Tremblant
Watch day 3- Morning at a museum in Ottawa, then drive to Tremblant: 2 hours (165 km) according to Tremblant; allow more time in snow. Evening in the pedestrian village.
Ski day at Tremblant
Watch day 4- A full day on the mountain; quieter than the weekend. Lessons for beginners are available at the resort.
Tremblant to Québec City
Watch day 5- Drive or take a transfer to Québec City and settle into Old Québec. Evening: first Carnaval site visit (2027 hours to be published).
Carnaval de Québec
Watch day 6- Bonhomme's ice palace and sculptures by day; a walk around the walled old town. Check the Carnaval schedule for the night parades and the canoe race.
Old Québec and departure
Watch day 7- Morning in Petit-Champlain and the Dufferin Terrace, then fly out of Québec City or return to Montréal.
Practical tips (from official sources)
- Programmes come late: Winterlude and Carnaval publish their full 2027 schedules closer to the date; check canada.ca and carnaval.qc.ca in January.
- Ice is not guaranteed: the Skateway opens only when the National Capital Commission judges it safe.
- Driving in winter: from December 1 to March 15, winter tires are mandatory on vehicles registered in Québec, including rental cars (SAAQ, Gouvernement du Québec). If you're not used to snow, use trains or transfers.
- Entry: visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport; U.S. citizens are exempt, and other nationalities may need a visitor visa (Government of Canada). Check your case on canada.ca before booking.
FAQ
When is Winterlude 2027?
Winterlude 2027, the 49th edition, runs from January 29 to February 15, 2027 in Ottawa and Gatineau, according to the Government of Canada. Activities are concentrated on the weekends, and the full programme is published closer to the date.
When is the Québec Winter Carnival 2027?
The Carnaval de Québec runs from February 5 to 14, 2027. It is ten days of ice and snow sculptures, Bonhomme's ice palace, night parades and the ice canoe race. Daily hours for 2027 have not been published yet.
Where is the best place to visit in Canada in winter?
For festivals, Ottawa and Québec City in February; for skiing close to the east coast, Mont-Tremblant; for mountain scenery, Banff and the Rockies in the west. This guide combines the first three in one week.
Can you see Winterlude and the Québec Carnival on the same trip?
Yes. In 2027 the two festivals overlap from February 5 to 14, so one week is enough to see both, with a stop at Tremblant in between.
Related guides
Plan your winter trip to Canada
Lets2Go is built for seasonal trips: lock in the festival dates first and fit day trips around them. Fit Ottawa, Tremblant and Québec into one route with the free AI trip planner for your Canada winter trip: an editable day-by-day itinerary, bookable experiences and a 3D map. Take it with you, even offline, on the App Store or Google Play.
Sources
- Government of Canada (Canadian Heritage), Winterlude, checked Oct 20, 2026: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/winterlude.html
- Ottawa Tourism, What to do during Winterlude 2027, checked Oct 20, 2026: https://ottawatourism.ca/en/see-and-do/what-to-do-during-winterlude
- Carnaval de Québec (official organiser), February 5 to 14, 2027, checked Oct 20, 2026: https://carnaval.qc.ca/en/
- Tremblant, Opening Hours (2026/27 ski season), checked Oct 20, 2026: https://www.tremblant.ca/mountain-village/opening-hours
- Tremblant, Transportation & Parking (distances and drive times), checked Oct 20, 2026: https://www.tremblant.ca/plan/getting-here
- SAAQ, Winter Driving (winter tires Dec 1–Mar 15), checked Oct 20, 2026: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modes-transportation/automobile/winter-driving
- Gouvernement du Québec, Requirements for winter tires, checked Oct 20, 2026: https://www.quebec.ca/en/transports/traffic-road-safety/winter-road-safety/requirements-for-winter-tires
- Government of Canada (IRCC), Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA), checked Oct 20, 2026: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html
