Québec City, Canada
Québec City is the capital of the province of Québec and the region's second largest city after Montréal. One of the oldest cities in North America, the first city built as a permanent settlement and the only remaining fortified city walls in North America north of Mexico, Québec City is full of history and heritage. The city walls, known as the 'Historic District of Old Québec' were declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 by UNESCO. Having been fought over by the British and French the city is steeped in European charm, architecture and culture.
With architecture more reminiscent of an Alpine fairytale as opposed to a North American cityscape, Québec's architecture is summed up by taking one look at the stunning, 19th century, Château Frontenac — a world famous Fairmont hotel. Wonder through the Plains of Abraham, the park in the heart of Québec City on the banks of the St Lawrence River, where the French and English armies battled centuries ago.
Take a stroll along the cobbled streets of the Grande Allée, filled with trendy bars and unforgettable bistros, or Le Petit Champlain, filled with local Québécois arts, crafts and produce. Go and see Place Royale and the oldest stone church in North America, built in 1688 when the French first arrived.
Québec City also hosts great winter festivals, ranging from the adrenaline-fuelled Red Bull Crashed Ice — imagine skiercross on ice-skates through the city streets — to the Québec Winter Carnival — one of the world's largest winter festivals, filled with snow slides, shows, sleigh rides, ice skating and all things snowy and fun.
Skiing Québec City's Resorts
If you fancy skiing around Québec the nearest major resort is Mont-Sainte-Anne, only 40 minutes away, which means you can combine some great skiing with staying in a fantastic city. With 2145 acres of skiing, 65 runs and 3 terrain parks the area is definitely worth the short drive or bus transfer from Québec City. From Québec City you can also access the resort of Stoneham and Le Massif.
The perfect way to enjoy this wonderful part of Eastern Canada is to treat yourself to a few days in Québec City, enjoying the city and the skiing on offer in Mont-Sainte-Anne, either before or after visiting the fantastic slopes of Mont Tremblant — only three hours away. Combining Eastern Canada's great snow, beautiful scenery and European influenced culture.