The perfect winter adventure in a hut

Parc national de la Gaspésie

The majestic Chic-Chocs mountains are a paradise for long-distance winter hiking enthusiasts. Parc national de la Gaspésie offers you the Cascapédia circuit, a full immersion in the snowy landscapes of this magnificent region. 

In a nutshell:

• Backcountry skiing excursion
• Cascapédia circuit (57-km loop)
• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• Departure from La Boussole parking lot
  • Day 1: from La Boussole parking lot to Le Pluvier hut (10 km – Duration: 4 to 5 hours – Uphill climb of 388 metres)
  • Day 2: from Le Pluvier to Le Huard huts (20 km – Duration: 6 to 7 hours – Uphill climb of 28 metres)
  • Day 3: from Le Huard to La Mésange huts (6 km – Duration: 2 to 3 hours – Uphill climb of 315 metres)
  • Day 4: from La Mésange to Le Pluvier huts (11 km – Duration: 4 to 5 hours – Descent of 343 metres)
  • Day 5: from Le Pluvier hut to La Boussole parking lot (10 km – Duration: 2 to 3 hours – Descent of 388 metres)
• Baggage transportation service available ($)

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant

Explore the untamed character of Parc national du Mont-Tremblant while backcountry skiing in La Diable loop. This backcountry skiing trail, featuring two huts at your disposal, will take you to stands of sugar maple, yellow birch, and fir, as well as streams, cascades, lakes, and rivers. You’ll leave firm-legged and starry-eyed.

In a nutshell:

• Backcountry skiing excursion
• La Diable loop (50.8 km)
• Departure from the Discovery and Visitors Centre (La Diable sector)
• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
  • Day 1: from the Discovery and Visitors Centre to La Cache hut (20.9 km – Uphill climb of 140 m – Intermediate level – Duration of 5 h)
  • Day 2: from La Cache to Le Liteau huts (18.2 km – Uphill climb of 270 m – Intermediate level – Duration of 5 h)
  • Day 3: from Le Liteau hut to the Discovery and Visitors Centre (11.7 km – Descent of 180 m – Difficult level – Duration of 3 h)

Parc national des Monts-Valin

For your next long hike, head to Parc national des Monts-Valin, well known for its ghosts and mummies (don't be scared). This ultra-snowy destination offers two circuits that are sure to dazzle you.

Pionnier and Ulysse hut sector

Pic de la Hutte sector is renowned for its hiking during the season of colours but remains a well-kept secret when winter settles in. This sector invites you to meet the mummies. In addition to stunning vistas, its frosted, snowy, and icy trees offer a magical setting.

In a nutshell:

• Snowshoeing excursion
• 21-km loop
• Departure from the Discovery and Visitors Centre
• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights (without a shuttle – intermediate level)
  • Day 1: from the Discovery and Visitors Centre to L’Ulysse hut (5.5 km – Uphill climb of 420 m)
  • Day 2: from L’Ulysse to Le Pionnier huts (4 km – Uphill climb of 200 m)
  • Day 3: from Le Pionnier hut to the Discovery and Visitors Centre (11.5 km – Descent of 620 m)
• Baggage transportation service available ($)

Fantôme hut sector and Antoine-Dubuc Lodge

Set off to discover Dubuc peak and the famous Vallée des Fantômes. The heavy snowfall (5 to 7 metres per winter) covers the trees, with only their silhouette remaining visible. This sector is visited by hikers on a daily basis, but some are lucky enough to spend the night in its huts or cabins. This is the perfect adventure for learning to love winter and snow. At the heart of Vallée des Fantômes, you can explore an intermediate-level 3-km trail with an elevation of 320 metres leading to the top of Dubuc peak. From there, the Mont Valin foothills and mountain chain and the Saguenay lowlands extend as far as the eye can see.

In a nutshell:

• Snowshoeing excursion
• 27.5-km loop
• Departure from the Discovery and Visitors Centre
• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights (without a shuttle – difficult level)
  • Day 1: from the Discovery and Visitors Centre to L’Ulysse hut (5.5 km – Uphill climb of 420 m)
  • Day 2: from L’Ulysse to Le Fantôme huts (8 km – Uphill climb of 250 m)
  • Day 3: from Le Fantôme to L’Hibernal huts (8 km – Descent of 620 m)
  • Day 4: from L’Hibernal hut to the Discovery and Visitors Centre (6 km – Descent of 50 m)
• Baggage transportation service available ($)
• A number of other circuits are accessible with or without the shuttle.

Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay

Under the heavy snow, the renowned Les Caps trail is a must for outdoor enthusiasts. This circuit offers an extraordinary experience at the heart of the boreal forest. Given that the route is sprinkled with lakes, its huts normally open only as of mid-January to ensure that the waterways are frozen.

In a nutshell:

• Snowshoeing excursion
• 27.3-km loop
• Departure from the Registration Centre parking lot (Baie-Éternité sector)
• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
  • Day 1: from the Registration Centre parking lot to Lac-de-la-Chute hut (12.1 km – Duration of 4 to 5 h – Uphill climb of 200 m – Difficult level)
  • Day 2: from Lac-de-la-Chute hut to Les Méandres and La Rivière rustic shelters (7 km – Duration of 2 to 3 h – Descent of 350 m – Difficult level: tricky descent)
  • Day 3: from Les Méandre and La Rivière rustic shelters to Baie-Éternité Registration Centre (8.3 km – Duration of 3 to 4 h – Uphill climb of 200 m – Intermediate level)