The cold has the advantage of thickening the ice on the region’s lakes and rivers. This is essential for ice fishing! Introduce your family or friends to ice fishing this winter. The region’s waterways are teeming with trout, even in winter! Fish in the private lakes of Kenauk Nature or treat yourself to an ice-fishing package at the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon to tease the fish. Who do you think will catch the biggest fish?   

Take advantage of the snowpack to enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the Outaouais trails. Enjoy over 500 kilometers of classic cross-country and skating trails. Challenge yourself and test your stamina by participating in a cross-country skiing event. Every Friday in February, the Friends of Gatineau Park invite you to put on your snowshoes in the evening and admire the moonlight and twinkling stars along the trails. Reserve your spot today to learn more about the park's flora and fauna.  

Looking for an exciting family adventure? Glide through the snow on a dog sled in the middle of the forest with Gatineau Sled Dogs! Improvise as a musher for a day or let your instructor guide you and your furry, energetic animals. Afterwards, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and cuddle your new canine friends.  Enjoy a memorable experience with the International School of Earth Studies. Meet a pack of Seppala Siberian Huskies in a private workshop, interact with them in the kennel, and learn about dog sled equipment.  

If you’re still stuck for inspiration despite all our suggestions, close your eyes and choose at random from our list of 100 activities to do this winter!   

This Valentine's Day, give the gift of refined chocolate from ChocoMotive. This local exclusive is as sweet as it is delicious and will appeal to all sweet tooths. The first chocolate maker in North America to develop this type of product, ChocoMotive showcases artisanal expertise, local terroir, and indigenous ingredients in its organic, fair-trade creations. Stop by their Montebello boutique to choose the perfect treat. 

For an extraordinary Valentine's Day experience, reserve a table at the OmegaBon Restaurant, located in the heart of Parc Oméga. As soon as you arrive, the magic begins: curious arctic foxes come to greet you through the large windows during your meal. The restaurant will offer a special Valentine's Day menu, perfect for an evening of sweetness and discovery. Keep an eye out for the menu release and prepare for an unforgettable experience. 

Fancy a custom-made Valentine’s Day? Check out our guide for a perfect Valentine’s Day to help you plan. 

From February 6 to 22, the Outaouais region will be in full Olympic mode! Whether you prefer cheering on the athletes from a giant screen at a lively pub or strapping on your skis for an adrenaline rush on the trails, the region offers the best of both worlds.  

From February 6 to 22, head to Chelsea Pub to experience the excitement of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in a friendly atmosphere. Gather your loved ones around a good meal and a house cocktail while watching the athletes compete on the screens. 

On February 16, participate in the Art from the Archives : Olympic Posters event, an initiative of Library and Archives Canada. During this special edition, create your own Olympic poster with your family, drawing inspiration from Montreal graphic design from the 1960s and 1970s. The activity is free, and all materials are provided. Register now, as space is limited! 

Then, try your hand at curling at Fairmont Le Château Montebello! In an enchanting setting, you will learn the basics of this sport, slide the stone like a pro, and get caught up in the game of precision. Take part in a clinic or a full lesson with an instructor. Fun and laughter are guaranteed! 

Ski mountaineering is making its debut at the Winter Games, and you can experience this discipline firsthand at the Centre Vorlage, the only place in the Outaouais region with certified alpine hiking trails. Test your limits on Fox Run, a short, intense climb perfect for back-to-back descents. Or, opt for La Grande Boucle, a longer course ideal for endurance. Whether you're curious or an adrenaline junkie, purchase your pass and climb the mountain at your own pace! 

Mont Ste-Marie, the highest peak in the Outaouais region, is an ideal playground for downhill skiing enthusiasts and offers ski mountaineering options for those who want to climb the mountain before skiing back down. 

Head to these locations to experience the Winter Olympics in style! Settle in comfortably in front of the giant screens, enjoy a delicious pub-style meal, and toast with a cold, local beer. No matter what event you watch, whether it's freestyle skiing or a hockey final, you'll be right in the heart of the action! Plan your outing with friends in advance—the atmosphere promises to be electric throughout the competitions! 

If you want to try more winter sports inspired by the Games, read our article on winter outdoor activities to learn where to lace up your skates, skis, or snowshoes in the Outaouais. 

From January 30 to February 16, Winterlude returns for its 48th edition with a theme that celebrates Canada's winter identity. This year's event marks the 25th anniversary of Canada's space mission and the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call. Explore the Snowflake Kingdom, where you can enjoy classic tube slides. Then, head to Confederation Park to see the grand return of ice sculptures! You can follow certain moments live from the Olympic Games on a giant screen, not to mention the karaoke and DJ performances that will set the mood! Winterlude also celebrates diversity and Indigenous and Northern cultures with a rich program of shows, exhibitions, interactive installations, and street performances. 

Then, head to the Snowflake Kingdom - Winterlude site in Gatineau. You're guaranteed to feel like a kid again! Take a photo with the Glamotte family, explore a maze, complete obstacle courses, meet the Gatineau Olympiques players, and participate in the first Afterslide evening with your family. Climb aboard the first Ferris Wheel at Winterlude and enjoy the view of the site and the surrounding area from over 15 meters up. Check out the full program for details and schedules of the various activities. 

In February, celebrate cultural diversity and community involvement at the 7th annual Black History Month event at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. The theme is De l’héritage à l’action : les jeunes leaders d’aujourd’hui! (From Heritage to Action: Today's Young Leaders!), an inspiring program awaits you. On February 5, meet passionate entrepreneurs at the UQO's Black Community Entrepreneurship Fair. On February 12, Peggy Civil will motivate you during a leadership conference. On February 19, delve into history with a screening of the film Hidden Figures. Finally, on February 26, enjoy Mibenson Sylvain's comedy show for an evening of laughter and reflection. Other activities will enrich the program throughout the month. 

On February 5 and 19, recharge your batteries at Place Laval. Head to downtown Gatineau to enjoy performances by the artists present for Jeudis en mode DJ. DJ CheeseBacon will perform on February 5, followed by DJ BUN BUN on February 19. Celebrate winter with music at these free events in the heart of Old Hull. 

From February 12 to 14, Igloofest Gatineau will take over Place des Festivals Zibi. Dress warmly and shake it up with friends on the coldest dance floor in the world. Take part in activities in the Igloovillage, enjoy food from street trucks and discover new artists through fiery performances. 

Experience a thousand-year-old tradition on February 14 by celebrating the Lunar New Year at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa! To celebrate the Year of the Horse, mint your own commemorative token and take home a unique souvenir. This free activity is a great way to learn about coin production, and guided tours are also available for an additional fee. 

Attention, book lovers! The Salon du livre de l’Outaouais will take place at the Palais des congrès de Gatineau from February 19 to 22. For its 47th edition, the SLO invites you to celebrate the stories you read, the actions you take, and the connections you make. Meet hundreds of authors, discover powerful works, and immerse yourself in a veritable cultural explosion. Follow the SLO to new venues for Spectacles hors-les-murs! Participate in literary events and shows at Le Minotaure bar, À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale, and the Canadian Museum of History. Immerse yourself in lively, engaging, and vibrant literature. 

From February 6 to 8, take part in the 60th edition of the longest and oldest cross-country ski tour in North America, the Canadian Ski Marathon. Each skier sets his or her own challenge, choosing a distance between 15 and 160 kilometers in two days and trying to complete it. Online registration is open through February 5. Last-minute registrations are also possible; contact the organization directly for details. 

On February 8, take on a frosty challenge by participating in The Nordic Race, a new winter race organized by Nomades du Parc for Winterlude. Whether you choose the 1-, 5-, or 12-kilometer race, prepare to run on a trail groomed that morning alongside the Gatineau and Outaouais rivers and Leamy Lake. This is the only timed race in Gatineau this winter. You will receive a bib, a medal, a photo finish, an official buff, and a post-race snack. Take the free shuttle from the Robert Guertin Center parking lot and celebrate winter in motion! 

From February 13 to 15, the Gatineau Loppet takes over Gatineau Park. Join Canada’s largest cross-country skiing event. Online registration is open until February 9. Last-minute registrations will be accepted on site. 

On February 25, attend the cocktail reception of L’Outaouais en cuisine, a gourmet competition organized by Tourisme Outaouais in partnership with the École hôtelière de l’Outaouais. Discover the culinary talents of the region’s chefs by tasting sweet and savory bites carefully prepared by the chefs and their student brigades. At the end of the evening, two prizes will be awarded: the Jury’s Prize and the Public’s Favorite. Join us and vote for your favorite bites. Get your tickets now, seats are limited! For more suggestions, check out the full schedule on our Festivals and Events page.   

Discover The Outaouais Market, a cooperative that celebrates the region's local products and artisans. Located in the heart of Gatineau, this regional online farmers' market brings together a vast selection of fresh, organic and homemade products. Whether you're looking for delicious artisan cheeses, savoury meats, freshly baked breads or unique gourmet creations, you'll find something to delight your taste buds. Take advantage of this opportunity to support local producers while exploring the authentic flavours of the Outaouais. You can even opt for delivery throughout Greater Gatineau! Outaouais. Fall under the spell of Origine Aventure! It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. Stay in a mini-chalet on stilts and escape into the heart of the forest. Go snowshoeing on the nearby trails and enjoy the different views of the surrounding area. Ripon has never seemed so magical. +Tourisme Outaouais is on TikTok! Follow us for inspiring content and even more ideas for exploring our beautiful region. + For more suggestions, check out the official Outaouais tourist guide for 2025–2026! Explore the region’s activities and plan your itinerary based on the area you want to visit.