From Primal Ice to Five-Star Nice
A winter journey of contrast—where Old World luxury builds toward a once-in-a-lifetime night inside a hotel carved entirely from ice.
WithFairmontVillage Vacances Valcartier
- 5-star accommodation
- ABC Trips Fave
- Family-Friendly
A Tale of Two Castles: The Art of the Québec Winter
Québec City in winter is not a place to be endured; it is a place to be celebrated. This 4-night getaway is built around the “Proper” way to do the cold—balancing the historic, castle-on-the-hill grandeur of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac with the crystalline mystery of the Hôtel de Glace. You begin by settling into the Fairmont, unpacking once, and letting the cobblestone streets of Old Québec serve as your playground. From the ramparts of the Upper Town to the boutiques of Petit-Champlain, you’ll discover a city that feels more like a European capital than a North American outpost.
The heartbeat of this journey is the transition to the Hôtel de Glace. Rather than a logistical headache, we treat this as a “clutch” experience—your room at the Fairmont remains yours, waiting with your luggage and a warm shower, while you head out to spend a night in a literal ice cathedral. You’ll sip cocktails from glasses carved from frozen blocks, soak in Nordic hot tubs under the stars, and retreat to a thermal sleeping bag in a themed ice suite. It is a bucket-list night of “brave soul” bragging rights, bookended by the five-star comfort of the Château.
Your final days are a deep dive into the food, culture, and natural drama of the region. Whether you are witnessing the frozen spray of Montmorency Falls, exploring the Musée de la civilisation, or tasting the terroir of Île d’Orléans, the pace remains intentionally unhurried. You’ll end the trip with a sense of quiet satisfaction, having navigated the extremes of the season with effortless luxury. This is winter travel done right—reflective, celebratory, and entirely unique.
Day by day
The itinerary.
Arrive in Québec City and transfer directly to the Fairmont, perched dramatically above the St. Lawrence River. Check in, unpack once (this matters), and settle into château life. Spend the afternoon wandering the cobblestone streets of Old Québec—Upper Town ramparts, Lower Town boutiques, or maybe a café stop to fight jet lag with pastry and espresso.
For dinner, keep it elegant but easy—either in-hotel or a short stroll away. You want cozy, not try-hard. An early night is encouraged; tomorrow is about setting the scene for your frozen adventure.
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning—optional spa time, a quick visit to Petit-Champlain, or a chilly stroll along the Dufferin Terrace promenade. Mid-afternoon, transfer to Hôtel de Glace. Before dinner, tour the ice galleries, themed suites, ice chapel, and bar. Dress like you’re spending the night in the sub-zero wilderness, but warm up with a contradictory cocktail: poured cold into a glass hand-machined from a solid block of ice.
Enjoy the live band or DJ and huddle around the fireplace if needed. Dinner is warm and hearty. Later, you’ll be briefed on how to survive (comfortably) in your ice suite. Hitting the saunas and hot tubs immediately before crashing is a pro move. Thermal sleeping bags and Nordic spa access ensure a surprisingly solid night’s sleep.
Wake up at Hôtel de Glace, enjoy a hot breakfast at the sister hotel, and transfer back to the Fairmont—where your room is waiting exactly as you left it. No repacking, no schlepping. This is the move. Late morning is deliberately slow: spa, steam room, or just staring out the window pretending you’re royalty.
In the afternoon, consider a guided Old Québec walk or a food-focused experience exploring local markets and bakeries. Dinner tonight is the big one—fine dining, wine-forward, celebratory. You earned it by sleeping in a literal ice castle.
Your final full day goes deeper. Options include the Musée de la civilisation, the frozen drama of Montmorency Falls, or an optional day trip to the scenic food-haven of Île d’Orléans. Keep lunch casual and local. The afternoon is free for last-minute wandering, shopping, or one final spa session.
End the trip with a relaxed farewell dinner—less formal than the previous night, more reflective. Toast to doing winter right with the vibe of ‘We did this properly.’
Enjoy one last morning in your castle-on-the-hill before a seamless checkout. The transfer to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is a quick 25-minute drive, ensuring your departure is as stress-free as your arrival. Wave goodbye to the spires of the Frontenac, taking with you the glow of a winter getaway that felt both historic and entirely surreal.
Where you'll stay
Your homes on this trip
Hotel
Hôtel de Glace
A one-night, once-in-a-lifetime experience where art, architecture, and Arctic imagination collide—sleep inside a hand-carved ice hotel just outside Quebec City, Canada.
Details
Hotel
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
A storybook château towering above Old Québec, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac blends Old World grandeur with modern luxury in one of Canada’s most iconic settings.
DetailsIncluded
- Accommodations: 4 nights of premium lodging (3 nights at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and 1 night at Hôtel de Glace).
- The ‘Clutch’ Backup: Your room at the Fairmont remains reserved and accessible during your night at the Ice Hotel for total luggage and shower convenience.
- Daily Breakfast: Hot breakfast provided each morning, including the morning of your Ice Hotel departure.
- Ice Hotel Experience: Guided ‘survival’ briefing, thermal sleeping bag rental, and full access to the Nordic Area (hot tubs and saunas).
- Welcome Drink: A signature cocktail served in a hand-machined ice glass at the Ice Bar.
- Transfers: Private ground transfers between the airport, Fairmont, and Hôtel de Glace.
Not included
- International Airfare: Flights to and from Québec City (YQB).
- Lunches and Dinners: Since budgets and tastes vary, we leave most meals up to you.
- Optional Activities: Entrance fees for the Musée de la civilisation or guided day trips to Île d’Orléans.
- Spa Treatments: Massages or specialized treatments at the Fairmont’s Moment Spa.
- Gratuities: Customary tips for drivers, guides, and hotel staff.
- Travel Insurance: We highly recommend a comprehensive policy for winter travel. Get a quote
On film
Watch the episode
Staying at Hôtel de Glace: North America's Ice Hotel
We brave a night at Hôtel de Glace, North America’s only ice hotel, then thaw out exploring charming Quebec City—an unforgettable winter adventure.
Episode notes + more filmsGallery
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