3 Ideas for an Affordable Winter Getaway

Outdoor activities can be surprisingly affordable and are a wonderful way to embrace the joys of winter! And with its vast forests and mountainous terrain, Portneuf is a natural playground for anyone who loves the great outdoors.

Vallée Bras-du-Nord boasts 80 kilometres (50 miles) of trails that are open year-round, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. In winter, it’s a great place to go hiking, snowshoeing, fatbiking, and even hok skiing—a cross between downhill skiing and snowshoeing that’s a blast in deep snow.

Parc naturel régional de Portneuf, JPG.MOV

Parc naturel régional de Portneuf is another gem of a destination for nature lovers. The Sainte-Anne river gorge is surrounded by spectacular icy cliffs that make for stunning winter hiking. There’s also Les Portes de l’Enfer, which has seven different trails for classic cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoeing trails.

Réserve naturelle du Marais-Léon-Provancher is a beautiful saltwater marsh with gorgeous views of the icy St. Lawrence River. This well-kept secret is lovely to explore on foot, snowshoes, or cross-country skis. Definitely one to add to the list!

Villa éco dans la Vallée Bras-du-Nord

Affordable base camps for outdoor adventures:

• Vallée Bras-du-Nord: Forest yurts and rental cabins
• Parc naturel régional de Portneuf: Cottages, glamping tents, and forest huts near the park’s snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails
• Hôtel Roquemont: Comfortable rooms, a craft brewery, and a restaurant, all under the same roof!

Need to relax and unwind? The gorgeous scenery in Portneuf makes it a perfect place to kick back and recharge those batteries. Whether that means cozying up by the fire with a good book or heading out on a hunt for local finds, there are plenty of ways to slow down and enjoy the good life. 

Alex Bertrand

Another option is to spend a relaxing afternoon or evening in good company at a craft brewery. And Portneuf has plenty, including La Fosse, La Shed, L’Esprit de Clocher, Le Roquemont and Les Grands Bois. All are excellent spots for local beer and a tasty, well-priced meal. 

Cooking or simply staying in for a few meals can help stretch those vacation dollars. Luckily, Portneuf produces an abundance of delicious local ingredients. To fill up on Portneuf specialties and prepared meals, stop by Les Gourmandises d’Alfred in Cap-Santé.

Affordable base camps for rest and relaxation: 

• Escale au Lac: Tiny cottages with free access to a wood-fired thermal experience
• Domaine du Grand-Portneuf: 40 forest villas in Pont-Rouge with access to an onsite gym, hot tub, and sauna
• Microchalets du Roquemont: New, fully equipped tiny cottages with views of the forest and private hot tubs
• Au Chalet en Bois Rond: A log cabin village with a wide variety of onsite activities, including snowshoeing, skating, and snow tubing

When it comes to spending time as a family, the simplest activities are often the most enjoyable. After all, the real goal is just to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the great outdoors. Luckily, Portneuf is the perfect place for an affordable family getaway.

For families that love downhill skiing or would like to try it out, Ski St-Raymond is a great option, with cheap lift tickets and all-natural snow. The hill has eight runs, two chairlifts, and 110 metres of vertical drop. For those who are less confident on skis, the snow tubing only costs a few dollars!

Centre nature Saint-Basile

Another fun place to go snow tubing is Centre nature Saint-Basile. Want to try fatbiking as a family? They have fatbike rentals and trails too!

Affordable base camps for a family getaway: 

• Centre Vacances Lac-Simon: A family nature resort with cottages and dormitories, plus a ton of onsite activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, ice fishing, and more!
• Chalets Tourisma: Rental cottages located throughout the Portneuf area

To learn more about the Portneuf region and plan your stay, visit www.tourisme.portneuf.com

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