When the cold weather season comes to Duplessis, the words of famous Natashquan poet Gilles Vigneault couldn't ring more true: "My country's not a country, it's winter!" The region's wide open spaces turn into a huge snow-covered playground where the chills are guaranteed to thrill.
Duplessis is perfect for short snowmobile rides by the St. Lawrence in the Port-Cartier/Sept-Îles area or longer trips along the Route Blanche in Basse-Côte-Nord or the backcountry of Caniapiscau.
Throughout the region, beaches, lakes, mountains, and parks are all paradise in miniature for snowshoeing, dogsledding, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, skating, ice fishing, and even ice climbing! Whatever you like to get up to, come get a real taste of winter in our sports, leisure, and outdoor centers!
With some 2,000 km of trails, the Duplessis region is the place snowmobilers dream about between December and April. Along the coast or in the backcountry, enjoy abundant snow and incomparable experiences in surroundings unlike anything else Québec has to offer. Ride the magnificent 500 km-long Trans-Québec Trail #3, explore the vast wilderness of the Caniapiscau area with its northern lights and caribou herds, or travel the 523 km Route Blanche between Natashquan and Blanc-Sablon in Basse-Côte-Nord. Whatever your choice, get ready for a ride on the wild side-Duplessis style!
Winter expedition
Whether you plan to snowmobile, snowshoe, or dogsled your way across the region, your expedition through our winter wonderland will be both an adventure and a fabulous opportunity to experience our tremendous northern landscapes for yourself! Size up our huge region and go wherever your heart takes you. Whatever your adventure, it's bound to be unforgettable!
Downhill Skiing
The Port-Cartier/Sept-Îles area boasts a ski area with incredible views of the bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, all set to a backdrop of boreal forest. Get set for hours of family fun downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, tubing, or living it up at the kiddies' amusement park! Equipment rental and restaurants onsite.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
For fans of cross country skiing and snowshoeing, getting the most out of winter on the north shore is a breeze: the weather's positively inviting, there's sunshine galore, and a thick blanket of snow covers everything in sight. With marked trails and backcountry skiing just a snowball's throw away from towns and villages and often right beside the sea, the Duplessis region is the outdoor winter playground you've always dreamed of.
Ice Fishing
Winter adds a touch of magic to fishing. Frozen rivers and lakes make it a whole new experience. Everything's so white, so dazzling, so transformed. And getting there is half the fun. Snowmobiling, dogsledding, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing become part of the adventure. Come drop a line for smelt, brook trout, whitefish, and more. For information on regulations in effect, call a Côte-Nord Wildlife Protection office.
Rental A sudden urge to go snowmobiling? The Duplessis region is well-equipped for all your needs! We rent you the vehicle as well as the clothes that go with it! So go on an adventure at the drop of a hat: we’ve got you covered from head to toe! The region also offers the services of experienced guides for family, tourist or sports activities, as well as guided tours.
Must see activities 
