Welcome to the Plains of Abraham | Sports and recreational activities

Ever since its creation, the park has fulfilled its calling as an oversize playground. Formerly, various winter sports were practised here, such as snowshoeing, tobogganing, skiing, skating and hockey in the first covered skating rink in the world! Here the Québec Bulldogs even won the Stanley Cup twice in the 1910s. Crowds of people used to attend the horse shows and the city’s elite enjoyed a game of golf on the Plains.

Today the public at large can practice, singly or in a group, sports such as in-line skating, jogging, hiking, cycling, football, soccer, cross-country skiing and many more recreational activities in a highy stimulating environment.

Put on your caps, mittens, arrow-head sashes and snowshoes to accompany a 20th century snowshoer in the park, along the course mapped out by the Plains of Abraham’s sports history.

A member of the "snowshoeing enthursiasts" of the Traders'Union, Amédée Fournier (or his wife), will tell you about the local snowshoeing history, but also about various sports secrets along the park trails : the double Stanley Cup Triumph of the Quebec Bulldogs, the Quebec Skating Rink, among the firs indoor skating rinks in Quebec City, the Quebec Skating Club which hosted several competitions (hockey tournament, ice skating competition and curling tournament, to name a few), ski jorring, which consists of hitching oneself to a horse or car and being dragged in the snow, and much more.

Let Amédée Fournier tell you about the leisure and sports activities of this “belle époque.” Here is a unique recreational outing that will thrill you with delight. Snowshoes, lantern, arrow sash and hot chocolate included.

2013 schedule
In English (at 4:00 p.m.): February 16, 2013.
In French (at 7:00 p.m.): January 12, 19 and 26, February 2, 9, 16 and 23, March 2, 2013.

$17/13-64 year old, $15/65 year old and over.
Groups of 9 or more can book at any time during the season and enjoy the fare of $15/person.
Not recommanded for children 12 year old and under.

418 649-6157
Reservations required, places limited.

Relive the winters of old through an exciting walk in traditionnal snowshoes on the Plains of Abraham. Discover all about the work and shores of the long snow-covered months. Track animals, pick the best firewood and mostly, let yourself be guided through the wonderful world of your guide and storyteller over a delicious hot chocolate.

2013 schedule
From March 4 to 8, from 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

$11/6-12 year old
$13/Adults

The last two events are presented during the Pentathlon des neiges, which takes place from Friday, February 1 to Sunday, March 3, 2013, on the Plains of Abraham.

Ski for free in one of the most accessible and enchanting sites offering an unobstructed view of the Saint-Lawrence River. The Plains of Abraham provides 12.6 km of ski trails laid out for beginner and intermediate cross-country skiers, a 3.8-km trail (round trip) for snowshoeing, and 5.6 km of walking trails. A waxing room and two heated rest areas are also available.

Download the trail map
Download the leaflet

Ski conditions

To find out about the condition of cross-country ski trails.
Automatic Info-line: 418 648-4212

Season:
From mid-December until the end of March, according to the weather conditions.

Number of trails (marked and groomed):
- 4 classic trails, including 1 easy trail and 3 intermediate trails
- 4 ski skating trails, including 2 easy trails and 2 intermediate trails
- 4 walking trails
- 1 snowshoe trail

Services offered

Equipment rental (418 648-2586):
From December 20, 2012 to March 31, 2013, the «Friends of the Plains of Abraham» Society offers to adults and children a rental service that supplies boots, poles, cross-country skis and snowshoes, at level 0 of the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham.

Every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
from December 20 to 23, December 27 to 30 and March 4 to 11.

Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
from January 5 to March 3, and March 12 to 31.

Closed: December 24, 25, 26 and January 1. Open from 1 p.m. on January 2.

The rental service can open ahead of time or be extended according to the snow coverage. Due to the variable schedule, it is recommanded to call at 418 648-2586 before coming.

Waxing room:
Located along trail No. 51 and 91, at the Montcalm park entrance, near Grande Allée. It is accessible from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. every day.

Rest areas and food service:
2 heated rest areas, as well as vending machines, are available to cross-country skiers. The Discovery Pavilion is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday and the Pavilion from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.

Patrol (418 648-4652):
Safety officer on duty 24 hours a day and trail patrol from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends, depending on weather conditions.

Cross-country skiing lessons (418 649-6476):
The «Friends of the Plains of Abraham» Society offers classical and free-style skiing lessons for adults, on Sundays.
$100 ($75/member of the«Friends of the Plains of Abraham» Society). Equipment not included.

- Move in the specified direction and observe the signs
- Respect the skiing techniques for the trail you are using
- Keep to your left when passing other skiers
- Yield the way to more rapid skiers
- Respect the environment, avoid polluting or damaging trees and other elements
- Do not ski off the trails
- Do not block the trails or stop where you could prejudice other skiers
- Remain in control and control your movements
- Understand and accept the risks associated with this sport
- Respect the opening hours for the trails

In-line skating
Across from the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
1.4-km loop trail.
From mid-May until mid-October, according to the weather conditions.
Free.