For the sports enthusiast who likes to participate while on vacation, many activities are available. With all the snow that falls on Québec City, skiing is naturally a popular pastime. Forty kilometres (25 mi.) east on Hwy. 138 near Beaupré is Mont-Ste-Anne, a favorite destination for alpine and cross-country skiing in eastern Canada; phone (418) 827-4561. Another popular spot is Camp Mercier (Réserve faunique des Laurentides); phone (418) 848-2422 for additional information.
Le Relais Ski Centre at Lac-Beauport, (418) 849-1851, is popular for alpine skiing. Stoneham, (418) 848-2415, ext. 710, or (800) 463-6888, ext. 710, is another popular ski slope, while Les Sentiers du Moulin in Lac-Beauport, (418) 849-9652, and the Plains of Abraham, (418) 648-2586, offer excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Skating is popular at Place d'Youville, (418) 641-6256; the Esplanade Park (Parc de l'Esplanade) off rue d'Auteuil, (410) 641-6311; and the Village Vacances Valcartier, (418) 844-2200.
In-line skating can be enjoyed at La Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, a 2.5-kilometre (1.6-mi.) linear park between Quai des Cageux and Côte de Sillery highlighting picturesque views of the St. Lawrence River. Traversed by pedestrians and bicycling enthusiasts as well, the green space features outdoor artwork, gardens, access to wooded hiking trails and two soccer fields.
AAA/iStockphoto.com
In the summer, swimming is one of the most fun things to do at the 36,100-student Laval University pool, (418) 656-7377. Public beaches are found in the Ste-Foy sector and in such nearby suburbs as Lac-St-Joseph, northwest of the city, and Lac-Beauport.
More than 20 golf courses are in the area. Popular clubs include Golf Métropolitain, (418) 872-9292, 5136 boul. Chauveau Ouest in the Ste-Foy sector; Lorette, (418) 842-8441, 12986 rue Monseigneur-Cooke in the Loretteville sector; and the Grand Vallon at 100 rue Beau-Mont, Mont-Ste-Anne, (418) 827-4653 or (888) 827-4579.
iStockphoto.com/Bobex-73
Tennis enthusiasts can find indoor and outdoor courts at Club Avantage Multi Sports, (418) 627-3343, 1080 rue Bouvier; Club de Tennis Montcalm, (418) 687-1250, 1141 boul. Champlain; and city parks containing 146 public courts. Phone (418) 641-6224 or (418) 641-6043 for information about recreation and parks in Québec.
For some unique indoor fun at a trampoline center, check out iSaute, (418) 478-2344, 185 rue Fortin.
If you're a fan of professional ice hockey, attend games at the Vidéotron Centre, 250 boul. Wilfrid-Hamel. The Ramparts de Québec, a Québec junior hockey league team, takes to the ice from September through March; phone (844) 267-4472.