A complete guide to packing for winter in Quebec City

Wondering what to pack for Quebec City in winter? Here’s your complete packing list along with practical tips from someone who’s visited twice in winter.

Every year from late November to early March, Québec City transforms into a picturesque winter wonderland. Having visited twice in winter now, I can honestly say it feels like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. The cobbled streets look even more magical thanks to the festive decorations, twinkling lights and of course, a good dusting of snow! But this season also brings some very cold weather.

It isn’t unusual for temperatures to drop to as low as -20^oC (-4^oF) in Quebec City during the winter months. If you’re not used to temperatures like this, the thought of going somewhere so cold can feel very daunting, but don’t let it put you off!

As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” After living in Canada for six years and spending two brutally cold winters in Ontario on the east coast, I’ve realised how true this saying is! So long as you’re prepared and have the right clothing, you’ll be able to enjoy all the wonderful things Quebec City has to offer in winter.

In this post, I’m sharing all my tips on what to pack for Quebec City in winter. This guide is designed to go hand-in-hand with my 3-day winter itinerary so you can make the most of your trip – despite the chilly temperatures! Let’s jump in.

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WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN QUEBEC CITY IN WINTER?

What to pack for a winter trip to Quebec City

In winter, Québec City experiences cold temperatures and snowy conditions. Average temperatures range from -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F). The coldest months are typically December, January and February when the wind-chill can make it feel like -22°C to -27°C (-7.5°F to -16°F).

In November and December, Quebec City sees a mix of rain, sleet and snow, but there are also surprisingly warm and sunny days as well. However, January and February are typically a different story. The temperatures are much more frigid and there is usually a lot of snow.

Before I moved to Canada, I wasn’t a fan of winter and hated being outside in such cold weather. However, after spending six years out there (and becoming a Canadian citizen), I’ve learnt to love and embrace winters. There are so many fun things to do if you’re prepared to wrap up warm and get outside – and Quebec City is no exception. From ice skating and snowshoeing to tobogganing and ice hotels, winter in Quebec City is wonderful.

WHAT TO PACK FOR QUEBEC IN WINTER: LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS!

One of the biggest misconceptions about visiting Quebec City in winter is that you need to invest in expensive gear but that’s really not the case.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on clothes; you just need to pack the right things. With the right layers, footwear and accessories, you can stay warm and comfortable without overspending.

How to layer properly

If you’ve travelled to some colder places before, you may have heard of the three-layer rule. Essentially, it’s about keeping your body warm (and dry) by wearing three different types of layers:

First layer (base layer)

The first layer is the one that is in direct contact with your skin. As a result, it needs to be warm but also sweat wicking i.e. it has to pull moisture away from your skin to the outer surface of your clothing where it can evaporate quickly.

Second layer (mid-layer)

The second layer should insulate your body so think fleeces or softshell jackets. You’ll still want something breathable so moisture can move away from your body. You can remove this one if you get warm during the day or if you’re doing more active things.

Third layer (outer layer)

The third layer needs to protect you from the elements (wind, rain, snow). Normally, you’ll need a couple of different options depending on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re walking around Quebec City or going to the Christmas markets, you should have a very warm down jacket or parka. However, if you’re doing something more active, you probably want to opt for a more breathable jacket made from Gore-Tex.

Base layers

Breathable base layers are crucial when visiting Quebec City in winter. Pack a couple of long-sleeve tops that you can wear underneath all of your other layers. I always take my Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew and my Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Crew Thermal Top as they’re easy to layer. They’re also odour resistant and quick drying. If you’re going to be doing something active like ice-skating or snowshoeing, you’ll need a more technical base layer.

**Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Crew Thermal Top**

I also suggest packing a couple of pairs of thermal bottoms for layering under pants as you’ll want the extra warmth. I took my Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottoms and my Icebreaker 200 Oasis Leggings and alternated between them.

**Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottoms**

Mid-layers

You’ll need to pack a couple of mid-layers for insulation. I took my Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4 Zip Fleece and my Patagonia Los Gatos 1/4-Zip.

Outer layers

I recommend taking a couple of outer layers to suit the different activities you plan to do in Quebec City. I found myself reaching for my Eddie Bauer Cascadian Down Parka almost every day. It has a temperature rating of -42°C (-45°F) but it’s incredibly lightweight which makes it a very comfortable but cozy option. Another good option would be to take a parka like the Columbia South Canyon Sherpa which has a fleece lining but is waterproof.

Make sure you opt for something waterproof or water-resistant when packing for Quebec City in winter. You’ll likely going to have rain, sleet or snow to contend with. If you don’t have snow pants and are planning to wear jeans or leggings, pack a long coat that goes down to your knees so you have some protection.

Trousers/ Pants

For causal sightseeing in Quebec City in winter, I wore a pair of jeans or fleece-lined black leggings on top of my thermal pants. If you’re heading out hiking or snowshoeing, I would recommend wearing thermal pants, fleece-lined leggings, and a pair of waterproof pants. A lot of people wear snowpants in winter in Quebec City so if you have a pair, I’d definitely pack them as well.

Socks

As someone with very delicate feet and poor circulation, I changed to merino wool socks a couple of years ago and will never go back! They’re great for hiking and exploring. They are the most breathable option and are also moisture wicking and odour resistant. I’ve also found that they’ve prevented me from getting blisters when hiking long distances.

I normally pack several pairs of socks in case I want to double up on extremely cold days. My go-to hiking socks are Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks and Darn Tough Hiker Cushion Micro Crew Socks.

**Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks**

**Darn Tough Hiker Cushion Micro Crew Socks**

Waterproof shoes

Waterproof winter boots or snow boots are one of the most important things to add to your winter packing list for Quebec City. There are lots of stairs and cobblestone streets throughout the city which can get very slippery in winter. You’ll need something sturdy, comfortable and waterproof.

I’ve had KEEN hiking boots since moving to Canada and would recommend something similar to the KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Waterproof Winter Boots. They’re packed with insulation and have great grip and are perfect for exploring in the day.

For the evening, I packed my Blundstone ankle boots to wear for dinner. I did pack a nicer pair of high-heeled ankle boots but I didn’t end up wearing them because the streets were too icy, so I’d honestly leave them behind.

Accessories

Don’t go to Quebec City in winter without your warm hat/ toque/ beanie and scarf. I recommend getting items that have fleece lining to keep you nice and warm and stop heat escaping from your extremities.  

For gloves, pack a pair of insulated, water-resistant gloves. I took two pairs. I brought my Outdoor Research Adrenaline gloves to keep my hands nice and warm as we walked around. In addition, I packed my North Face Etip gloves to use when taking photos. These are thinner but work with touch screens which made it much easier to use my phone and camera. It’s so cold that you won’t want to take your gloves off to take photos – trust me!

OTHER WINTER ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR QUEBEC CITY

After visiting Quebec City twice in winter and living in Ontario for two years, here are a few other things I recommend packing:

Headlamp:

It gets dark very quickly in Quebec City in winter, so having a headlamp or a torch is very helpful. The cobbled streets in winter are dangerous in the day, let alone at night so you’ll need some extra light!

Lip balm:

The cold weather can play havoc with your lips so make sure you bring a lip balm to apply regularly throughout the day. I love Burt’s Bees and Carmex – both give long lasting relief and stop my lips from cracking.

Sunscreen:

I used to work at Cancer Research UK so I’m always reminding my friends to apply their sunscreen – even in winter. It’s easy to get caught out but the coldest days are often the sunniest. I have greasy skin so I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen (45 SPF) as it’s very lightweight and is great under make up.

Hand warmers:

When people ask me what to pack for Quebec in winter, my first thought is always ‘hand warmers’! Honestly, these have been a game changer for me as a photographer. I often wear thinner gloves in winter so I can take photos but when the temperatures are so low, my hands still get very cold. Putting hand warmers in my thinner gloves really helps.

Yeti flask:

I love my tea (I’m a Brit after all!) so I always travel with my Yeti Rambler. It has a leak-proof lid so I can put it in my backpack and it stays hot for hours. I took it on my trip to Quebec City in January and it was so nice to have hot tea on hand to warm up.

Micro-spikes:

With the sleet, snow and freezing cold temperatures, the streets and stairs can be very icy – and dangerous. When you’re packing for a winter trip to Quebec City, you might want to think about taking some micro spikes or a similar traction device. I’ve used my Yaktrax for six years and always take them on winter getaways. They’re lightweight and you can put them over your boots as and when you need them.

Camera:

And finally, don’t forget your camera when packing for Quebec City in winter! It’s so beautiful so I guarantee you’ll want to take lots of photos. Make sure you pack some spare batteries as they cold weather drains them quickly.

WINTER PACKING TIPS & TRICKS

After exploring Canada for 6 years it’s safe to say I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks! Here are a few things to bear in mind when packing for Quebec City in winter:

Avoid packing cotton clothes. They won’t keep you warm and if you get sweaty, they’ll take forever to dry, so they’ll end up making you colder!
Bring extra pairs of socks to keep your feet nice and toasty. You can also get feet warmers if you suffer from poor circulation like me.
If you’re doing some more outdoorsy activities like snowmobiling or dog sledding, you can rent specific clothes from the tour company. They’ll have the appropriate jackets and snow pants so make sure you ask when you book.
If you can’t get all of your clothing and gear before you arrive, don’t worry as there are lots of shops in Quebec City which stock these items. Just make sure you have the essentials to get you through the first day at least.

MY QUEBEC CITY WINTER PACKING LIST

Here’s exactly what I packed for my 3-day trip to Quebec City in January 2024. We travelled my train so I took a mid-size suitcase; however, if I was flying and just wanted to take hand luggage I would have left my Zara coat behind.

Base layers

3 long sleeve tops
2 thermal leggings

Mid layers

2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of leggings
2 Patagonia sweaters
2 sweaters

Outer layers

Eddie Bauer parka
Zara wool coat
Waterproof pants

Footwear

Sorel Torino Waterproof boots
Blundstone boots

Accessories

2 toques/ beanies
1 scarf
2 pairs of gloves

Other

2 nice tops to dress up for dinner and drinks

Final thoughts on what to pack for Quebec City in winter

I hope this guide helped answer your questions about what to pack for Quebec City in winter! Don’t let the cold weather put you off – it really is a beautiful winter destination and with the right clothing, you’ll have a great time!

If you have any questions, just ask away or check out the following guides all about visiting Quebec City in winter: