Skiing (Hok Ski) Excursion in Jacques-Cartier National Park

Ski-Hok gives you a very different way to see winter in Quebec. Part cross-country ski and part snowshoe, these short, wide skis let you move through snowy forest, climb gently, and practice telemark-style turns on the way back. I love the quiet Jacques-Cartier forest and the fact that lunch, hot chocolate, equipment, and instruction are all included. I also like the small-group format, which lets guides such as Levi, Lorenzo, and Vicky spend real time helping beginners.

The catch is simple: this is not a snowshoe walk. You will work up a sweat, slip a few times, and tackle uphill and downhill movement on unfamiliar gear. The activity suits people with moderate fitness better than anyone seeking a gentle stroll, and winter clothing is your responsibility.

Key points

• Ski-Hok is its own winter sport: Expect a blend of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, not ordinary snowshoes.
• A real lesson comes first: The opening kilometres give you time to adjust straps, find your balance, and learn how to move.
• A refuge provides a welcome pause: Lunch and a hot drink break up the physical effort before the more technical section.
• Jacques-Cartier supplies the setting: Snowy woods, peaceful trails, and chances for striking forest and wildlife photos are central to the outing.
• The guide makes a big difference: Levi, Lorenzo, Vicky, Alex, and Johann are among the guides associated with this experience, with patience and hands-on help especially useful for beginners.
• Plan for a workout: The route includes climbing, descending, and telemark-style technique, so bring warm layers and be ready to fall once or twice.

What Ski-Hok feels like on the trail

The easiest way to understand Ski-Hok is to picture a cross-country ski that is shorter and wider, with a design made for moving through snow rather than racing along a prepared track. You strap the equipment to your boots, then use a shuffle-and-glide motion to travel across the park.

That sounds straightforward. It takes a little practice.

You need to learn how to keep your balance, manage the skis on uneven snow, and control your speed on slopes. The guides begin with the basics and use the first part of the route as a lesson. This is valuable because you are not expected to arrive already knowing how to ski. The early kilometres let you get used to the equipment before the route asks more of you.

The tour description is careful to point out that Ski-Hok is not snowshoeing. That warning matters. Snowshoes are usually forgiving when you step, while Ski-Hok asks you to coordinate both feet and maintain a steady rhythm. If you have cross-country or downhill skiing experience, you may pick it up faster. If you are new to snow sports, expect a learning curve and a few wobbly moments.

I like that the activity teaches a skill instead of simply taking you along a marked path. By the end, you should have a better sense of how to move safely in winter woods, even if you do not become graceful on every slope.

Leaving Quebec City at 9 a.m.

The day begins at 9 a.m. at the Centre Infotouriste de Québec, 12 Rue Sainte-Anne, in Old Quebec. Pickup is offered, but the information provided lists this location as the start point, so check your confirmation carefully if you expect to be collected elsewhere.

The air-conditioned vehicle takes you toward Jacques-Cartier National Park. The published schedule gives about an hour for the morning transfer, with arrival at the park around 10 a.m. The return follows the same pattern: the guided activity ends at 2 p.m., departure from the park is set for 3 p.m., and arrival back in Quebec City is expected around 4 p.m.

That makes this a full half-day commitment once transportation is included. You are not squeezing in a quick activity between breakfast and lunch. Instead, you get a properly paced winter outing without needing to arrange a rental car or navigate to the park yourself.

Bring something small to drink for the vehicle if you like, but do not overpack. The included equipment covers the Ski-Hok gear, while your clothing and personal items remain your responsibility.

Getting started at 10:30 a.m.

The guided activity begins around 10:30 a.m. after time to arrive and prepare. Your guide fits you with the necessary equipment and explains how it works. This first stage is more important than it may sound. Poorly adjusted straps or uncertain footing can make the whole outing harder, especially in cold weather when fingers lose dexterity.

Guides are a major part of the value here. Levi has been praised for patience with beginners and for making instruction enjoyable. Lorenzo has helped nervous older participants and taught the technique carefully. Vicky has been described as organized and ready to help with straps, climbs, slips, and falls. Alex and Johann have also led outings, with Johann helping participants get set up and taking photos and video along the route.

You should still listen closely and ask for help early. Do not wait until you are exhausted or uncomfortable. A good guide can adjust your technique before a small problem becomes a tiring one.

The first section is designed to build confidence. You practice moving over snow, finding a useful pace, and handling modest changes in grade. Some outings have found the terrain fairly level with slight slopes, while other conditions make the route feel more demanding. Snow depth, weather, and your own fitness will shape the day.

The refuge lunch break

After the opening section, the group reaches a refuge for a dinner or lunch break. The timing makes this stop welcome. Ski-Hok uses more energy than a casual walk, and warming up with food and a hot drink gives you a chance to reset before the harder part of the route.

Lunch is included, with a vegetarian option available if requested after booking. A hot beverage is also provided. Hot chocolate has been a favorite part of the outing, and one guide has prepared it during the break. Food is described as cozy and satisfying, though you should not expect a restaurant meal or a choice-filled buffet.

The refuge also gives the day a strong sense of place. You are not simply stopping at a roadside café. You are taking a break inside the park, surrounded by winter woods, before heading back onto the trail. For many people, this pause becomes one of the most memorable parts of the outing because it balances the physical work with a warm, social moment.

If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, ask before the day. The supplied information confirms a vegetarian choice, but it does not promise other special diets.

The technical section and telemark-style turns

After lunch, the route continues into a more technical area. This is where the activity separates itself from an easy snow walk. You work on climbing and descending, including a telemark-style movement that helps you turn and control your skis on a slope.

Going uphill can feel like a cardio session. Going down requires calm footing and attention. You may slip, especially while learning, but the guides are there to help you recover and continue safely. Several participants have described the activity as challenging, invigorating, or a good cardio workout. One particularly useful warning is that the outing felt harder and more athletic than expected.

Take that seriously. You do not need to be an expert skier, but you should be comfortable with moderate physical effort. The activity is not recommended for young children or people with mobility issues, based on the practical limits described by past participants. It can work for older adults with reasonable fitness, especially with a patient guide, but you should be honest about your balance and stamina before booking.

The technical section is also where the instruction pays off. Instead of merely surviving the skis, you begin to understand how body position and foot placement affect your movement. You will probably appreciate the difference between a controlled turn and an accidental slide.

A peaceful return through the park

Once the more technical work is complete, the group returns to the starting point. The final stretch gives you time to enjoy the park rather than focus only on technique. Jacques-Cartier National Park is the visual star of the day, with snow-covered forest, open white views, and a strong feeling of quiet.

The outing is well suited to photography. The winter woods provide unusual angles and clean snowy scenes, and there may be chances to photograph wildlife. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, so you should book this for the setting and activity, not for a promised animal encounter.

The peacefulness is part of the appeal. This is a good choice if you want a taste of Quebec’s outdoors that feels far removed from Old Quebec’s stone streets. It is less suitable if you want a polished resort activity, a fast ski run, or a relaxed ride with little exertion.

The route and conditions can change how the day feels. A calm day with good snow may seem playful and manageable. Deep snow, fresh snowfall, or slick conditions can make each step harder. The activity runs in all weather conditions when possible, but it depends on adequate snow and suitable conditions.

What the $119.14 price includes

At $119.14 per person, the price is reasonable if you would otherwise need to rent equipment, arrange transport, pay park-related costs, and find food. The package includes the air-conditioned vehicle, professional guide, all necessary equipment, lunch, a hot beverage, taxes, fees, and handling charges.

That list matters for a winter outing. Equipment rental alone can add cost and hassle, while driving to an unfamiliar snowy park can be stressful. Having the gear and instruction handled in one booking makes the day easier for a first-time participant.

The value is strongest for beginners. Experienced cross-country skiers may not need much instruction, but they still benefit from transport, the unusual Ski-Hok equipment, the guided route, and the included meal. The small-group structure adds value because the guide can correct technique and help with equipment instead of simply pointing you toward a trail.

The exact group size deserves a quick check. The activity is promoted as a small group limited to eight people, while the additional information gives a maximum of 10 participants. Either way, it is intended to be a small outing rather than a large coach group, but confirm the expected size when your booking is confirmed.

Clothing matters more than the price

Winter clothing is not included, and you should treat this as a serious preparation point. Wear a warm coat or jacket, hat, gloves, and several layers. Hiking boots, leather boots, or sneakers are listed as suitable footwear, though your choice should be warm, secure, and compatible with the provided equipment.

Hand and foot warmers are a smart extra. They have been especially useful on winter outings in the park. Since you will stop for instruction, lunch, and equipment adjustments, you may alternate between active warmth and standing still in the cold.

Avoid dressing only for the temperature in Quebec City. The park may feel different, and you will need clothes that handle snow and effort. Layers let you remove one if the climb gets hot and put it back on during the refuge break or vehicle ride.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for winter rather than hoping for a mild forecast. If snow is insufficient or weather becomes unsuitable, the activity may be canceled. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Ski-Hok to you if you want an active introduction to Quebec’s winter outdoors and enjoy learning something new. It works particularly well for couples, families with older children, and friends who are comfortable with a moderate workout.

You do not need advanced skiing ability. The guides teach the technique, and patient instruction is one of the experience’s strongest features. Still, beginner does not mean effortless. You need enough balance and stamina to manage several hours outside and handle slopes.

Think twice if you have mobility issues, dislike falling, or want a gentle forest outing. Young children may find the equipment and physical demands frustrating. Someone who is nervous but reasonably fit can probably manage with help, especially with a guide such as Lorenzo or Levi, but someone with serious balance concerns should choose another activity.

The tour is also a good fit if you have already tried ordinary snowshoeing and want something more active. It is not a substitute for a standard snowshoe tour, and the difference should guide your decision.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Winter is the busy season, and the operator notes that reaching the team by phone can be difficult, so email or text is the better way to ask questions.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and poor weather or insufficient snow can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Because the activity is booked well ahead on average, around 36 days in advance, do not leave a preferred winter date until the last minute.

Should you book the Ski-Hok outing?

Book it if you want a memorable, active winter day and like the idea of learning a Quebec-specific way to travel through snow. The included gear, guide, meal, hot drink, and transport make the $119.14 price strong, especially for first-timers.

Skip it if you want ordinary snowshoes, a low-effort walk, or a guaranteed wildlife sighting. The best decision comes down to fitness and expectations. Prepare for a real workout, wear warm layers, bring hand and foot warmers, and accept that a few slips are part of learning. If that sounds fun, Jacques-Cartier National Park offers a fine setting for trying something new.

FAQ

Where does the Ski-Hok excursion start?

It starts at the Centre Infotouriste de Québec, 12 Rue Sainte-Anne, Québec, QC G1R 3X2, Canada.

What time does the tour begin?

Departure from Quebec City is scheduled for 9 a.m. The guided Ski-Hok activity begins at the national park around 10:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The guided activity lasts about four hours, from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The full outing, including transport, runs from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Is this a snowshoeing tour?

No. Ski-Hok combines elements of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It uses different equipment and requires you to learn skiing-style movement.

Is equipment included?

Yes. All necessary Ski-Hok equipment is included, along with instruction from a professional guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and a hot beverage are included. A vegetarian lunch option is available if requested after booking.

What clothing should I bring?

Bring winter clothing, including a warm coat or jacket, hat, gloves, and layers. Hiking boots, leather boots, or sneakers are listed as suitable footwear. Winter clothes are not provided.

How fit do I need to be?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity includes uphill and downhill movement, and some sections can be athletically demanding.

What happens if there is not enough snow?

If snow conditions are insufficient, or if bad weather prevents the activity, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.