Snowshoeing in Monts-Valin National Park

I’m finally getting back to writing after taking a short break while working on other blog projects. In February 2026, we returned to Canada to explore another part of Quebec in partnership with Manawa, the activity-booking platform we use for excursions, hikes, boat trips, and more. We’ve relied on it for several years now, and it has consistently proved useful for booking activities before a trip. This time, we spent a few days discovering Quebec City before heading to the Saguenay region, roughly three hours farther north.

It was a real pleasure to go snowshoeing in Quebec again. We tried it the previous year in the Laurentians, although I never wrote about that outing. I did, however, share our experiences of snow tubing, which was great fun, as well as a helicopter ride, snowmobiling, and, to the kids’ delight, a dog sledding excursion.

In this article, I’m sharing the wonderful snowshoe hike we took in the Monts-Valin. When researching winter activities in Quebec, and especially in this region, the Vallée des Fantômes in Monts-Valin National Park comes up again and again as one of the best-known snowshoeing experiences. Unfortunately, it seemed a little too demanding with the kids, especially Téo, who was only five. We therefore decided to skip the Vallée des Fantômes and rent snowshoes for the day instead, giving us the freedom to explore this beautiful park at our own pace.

Before getting into the hike itself, it is worth mentioning that we decided to try HomeExchange for our 15 days in Quebec. This well-known travel platform makes it possible to exchange homes directly or use a points system, offering a simpler and often more affordable way to travel.

Through a Quebec family, we found a lovely little house near Labrecque, about an hour northwest of Saguenay, tucked into the forest beside a small lake. It was a beautiful setting for our 15-day stay. If you are curious about how the platform works, our referral link gives new members 250 points, which may cover roughly two nights depending on the destination. But back to the main subject: our snowshoeing day in the park.

We had checked the forecast, and there was no doubt that it would be cold. When we woke up that morning, the temperature was -25°C. For people who live in Guadeloupe, that was a serious shock. I had never felt so cold on any of our trips to Canada; the previous year, the lowest temperature had been “only” -16°C. Seeing -25°C at 7 a.m. was intimidating, even though we knew it would probably warm up fairly quickly and that very cold days often come with beautifully clear skies. The sunshine kept us motivated.

We set out from our house, about an hour and a half from Monts-Valin National Park. We had purchased an eSIM at the airport so we could navigate during our outings, share updates while traveling, make reservations, and stay connected on the road.

One thing that makes me smile is how differently Waze and Google Maps can route the same journey. This time, Google Maps sends us along narrow mountain and country roads because the Monts-Valin lie well to the west of where we are staying. We are on schedule, so we decide to trust the route and continue.

The drive turns out to be fascinating. We pass isolated homes, beautiful scenery, and tiny hamlets made up of perhaps 10 or 15 houses. It is easy to imagine how pleasant life here might be in summer, but winter must present a very different set of challenges.

After about an hour and a half on these small roads, we reach Monts-Valin National Park. Beyond the entrance sign, the road gradually winds deeper into the forest and the landscape becomes more mountainous. Everything is covered in snow, although it is not the fresh, heavy snowfall we experienced the previous year in the Laurentians. The fir trees are not coated in a thick white layer, suggesting the last snowfall was some time ago. Still, with recent temperatures between -15°C and -20°C, the snow has remained firmly in place, and the area looks beautiful.

We arrive at the parking lot of the park’s Discovery and Visitors Centre about 30 minutes earlier than planned. Since we have rented the snowshoes for the entire day, there is no need to rush.

Inside the center, we collect our equipment and receive a wonderfully warm welcome. The two staff members share plenty of advice about the park, other activities in the region, and nearby places to eat. We complete the rental forms and provide our license plate number, which allows the team to check whether visitors have returned by the equipment deadline. If a car remains in the parking lot, it can signal that someone may be delayed or in difficulty. The staff take excellent care of us and the kids throughout the process.

They select four pairs of snowshoes for us and point out that our boots are slightly bulky for the bindings. They are the only boots we have, however, and they work well enough. We also wrote a full article about renting winter clothing in Quebec with Émilie from Tuque et Bicycle Experience, one of our partners. We have rented our winter gear from them for two years, which saves us from buying clothing we would rarely use at home.

With all four pairs fitted, we leave the center at around 10 a.m. under bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. It is still about -15°C, but once we start moving, the cold becomes far less noticeable. The first few steps along the trail feel almost magical. Nobody complains, and we quickly rediscover the pleasure of walking on snowshoes, just as we had in the Laurentians the previous year.

We are under no illusion: despite having the equipment for the whole day, none of us is accustomed to walking long distances on snowshoes. We live on a tropical island in Guadeloupe, after all. With the kids, we also know that fatigue may determine when we turn back. Mélanie and I agree that the goal is not to race or cover 30 kilometers. We simply want everyone to enjoy walking through a quiet, sunny winter forest. We set off without pressure and decide to see how the day unfolds.

Knowing that we have a 5-year-old who will not walk for miles, the woman at the front desk recommends a trail that allows us to turn back whenever Téo begins to tire. The experience feels so natural that we immediately think snowshoeing would become a regular activity if we lived here. It offers a peaceful, affordable, and low-impact way to explore places that would otherwise be difficult to reach on foot in winter.

We follow the fully snow-covered trail through a beautiful winter landscape. The snow may not be fresh, but the fir trees are still white and the atmosphere is peaceful. After about 30 minutes, we reach the first junction and decide to continue. The route leads deeper into a heavily wooded section where we follow tracks left by other snowshoers and cross-country skiers, although we meet only two people during the entire outing. It is exactly the kind of family experience we came to Canada for: enjoying the moment together while gathering stories and photographs to share on the blog.

After roughly an hour and 45 minutes, we emerge from the densest part of the forest onto a gently rising section beside a frozen lake. We have become better at recognizing frozen lakes because they appear as broad, treeless openings in the landscape. From the road, it is not always obvious at first that these white expanses are bodies of water, especially when everything is covered in snow. Here, the view across the lake is beautiful, and the sunshine makes the cold much easier to appreciate.

The kids enjoy themselves too, although they repeatedly argue about who should be first and who is moving fastest. They are at an age where everything becomes a competition, so Mélanie and I occasionally have to step in before the chasing and pushing ends with someone face-first in the powder. Overall, though, everyone is having a good time. We stop briefly in the woods for hot tea from a thermos, cereal, and a few cookies. Bringing snacks is essential on this kind of family hike, especially with young children.

After about an hour and a half of walking, Téo begins to complain and lose interest. We remind ourselves that turning around still means another hour and a half on the trail. That is an important consideration with children: it is easy to keep going without accounting for the entire return journey. We decide to head back, and the walk to the center passes without any problems. We arrive at around 1 p.m., where the same friendly staff welcome us again. A hot chocolate and a coffee from the small counter are exactly what we need.

The center is in the heart of a national park, so there is no full restaurant or substantial food service on site. The staff recommend a small, inexpensive local snack bar called Chez Caro, about a 20-minute drive away on the Saguenay side. It is simple, but exactly what we are looking for.

It was a wonderful experience. For anyone visiting Quebec in winter, snowshoeing deserves a place on the itinerary. Even with children, a few hours on the trails can be a memorable outing. I hope our experience inspires you to try it for yourself.

Here are a few practical details to help you plan your visit.

Travel time will depend on where you are staying in the region. We were based in the countryside near Alma, around an hour away. To make the Discovery and Visitors Centre easier to find, you can view its exact location on Google Maps here.

Renting a car is generally the most practical way to explore Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean independently. As on our other trips, we used DiscoverCars to compare rates from several rental companies and found a very good deal. Comparing offers before booking is well worth the effort.

Although there is no conventional hotel inside the park, several appealing places to stay are located nearby, making it easier to enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other winter activities. Here are three options to consider:

• Les Hébergements de l’Éternel: These unusual domes and mini-chalets are set in a natural environment close to Monts-Valin Park. The fully equipped studios offer mountain views and access to a spa.
• Le Chalet de Claude: This spacious, fully equipped family chalet sits at the foot of the Monts-Valin. It includes a garden, terrace, and year-round amenities, making it a convenient base for hiking, skiing, biking, and exploring nearby parks and lakes.
• Auberge Cap au Leste: Perched above the Saguenay Fjord in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, this nature-focused property offers rooms and wooden chalets tucked into the forest, along with expansive views, an on-site restaurant, and year-round outdoor activities.

You can also use the map below to find accommodations in the part of the region that best suits your plans.

We used HomeExchange for the first time on this trip and had a wonderful experience. To learn more about the concept or sign up, you can use our referral link and receive 250 points when you join.

Monts-Valin National Park is especially famous for the Vallée des Fantômes, a landscape frequently seen on social media. We knew the outing would be too demanding with the kids, but it appears well worth considering if you have the time and fitness for a full day in the mountains.

I hope this article has inspired you to go snowshoeing in the park.

See you soon,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I had the opportunity to explore the beauty of this country I love on several different occasions and in different places (Canadian Rockies, the Island of Newfoundland for 1 month, Yukon and Québec)!

Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!