We're considering surprising the kids for a Christmas trip where there most likely will be snow, and we love the idea of going to Quebec. Our biggest concern is flying there--we will be flying standby on Delta, and it seems that flights out of Newark are few and the planes are small. However, if we do get up there (and we know we could potentially drive or take a train if it came to that) we'd love to stay at the Chateau Frontenac either for six nights or for three and perhaps stay at a lodge so the kids could enjoy some winter sports. Any recommendations on where to go for that? We're not skiers but are willing to give it a shot, and my ten-year old son envisions himself as a snowboarder if he could only find some snow. Ice skating, dog-sledding--I know these are all possibilities, but what places could you recommend? Should we stay in the city and drive to skiing places are or stay at a lodge, too? How crowded does it get with out-of-town people at Christmas? Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

Quebec City is absolutely lovely at Christmas. You might want to check out flights by Air Canada from Newark, which transfer you to Quebec City via Montreal.

One of the neat things about Quebec City is that you are not far from lots of recreational properties to the north and east.

You can easily drive from the Chateau Frontenac to any of the major ski resorts, and then be back in the city again for dinner.

You will be guaranteed snow, but the roads are very well maintained.

If you decide that you would like to spend a few days in the country, you might want to check out the websites of:

1. Mont Ste. Anne (to the east of Quebec City) - which is a longer drive than the others, but has the highest (nearby) hills
2. Stoneham Ski Centre (to the north)
3. Village Vacance Valcartier (also north) - which offers snow tubing, snow slides, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, etc. and is a great deal of fun for families who do not ski. (There are some very funny videos on YouTube that you can search.)
4. Lake Beauport (also north, close to Stoneham) which also offers night skiing.

While the Chateau Frontenac is a huge property, I would suggest that you book it fairly soon, as Xmas is a popular time. There is ice skating available adjacent to the Chateau.

I spend Xmas in Quebec City every year with my family, and I would not say that it is crowded, although this year may be different as QC is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

I am in QC now, and yesterday I went to see 274 art objects loaned from the Le Louvre as part of the 400th anniversary celebrations. (The exhibit ends in October, alas.) The city is absolutely packed with tourists now.

Happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks so much! I was hoping you would respond! The kids would love Village Vacances Valcartier--oh, my!!! If we do end up going, I don't know how I'm going to be able to keep this from them! I'll definitely go ahead and book Frontenac since we can always cancel 48 hours before. I'll look over the rest of what you sent, and I'll let you know if I have other questions. Thanks so much!

We're plannig a trip to QC and Montreal, leaving here on Thanksgiving. I've been looking at dogsledding line but the web sites I've seen don't indicate when their season starts? Will we be too early for good snow? (Arriving Nov 27)

Quebec City gets more snow and earlier snow than Montreal. Last year, the snow came arrived in mid-November in QC (and Toronto got it at the same time). It was an unbelievably snowy year. There is guaranteed snow in QC for Christmas, but before that, it could be hit and miss.