A Week in Winter in Saguenay: the ideal itinerary to experience winter on a grand scale
Treating yourself to a week in winter in Saguenay means accepting a change of scale. Here, winter is not a backdrop, it is a full-fledged experience. Landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, snow transforms the region into a spectacular northern territory, and the pace of travel naturally slows. Between a vibrant cultural city, a majestic fjord, snow-covered mountains, and iconic winter adventures, Saguenay offers a deeply immersive escape without ever compromising on comfort. By staying at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, you enjoy an elegant home base, perfectly located to explore the Saguenay region in winter while returning each evening to a warm, restful environment.
Friday – Arrival at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay and first northern impressions
The drive itself, even before arriving at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, marks an almost instinctive transition. From the very first moments at your destination, the contemporary ambiance, clean design, and attentive welcome invite you to leave everyday hustle behind. Settling into your room becomes a privileged moment, where soft lighting, refined materials, and exclusive Moie Collection bedding create a cocoon ideal for deep rest.
This first evening is not about rushing, but about slowing down, absorbing the atmosphere, and projecting yourself into the days ahead. Whether you choose an intimate meal through room service or simply enjoy a moment of calm, this evening acts as a necessary pause before fully surrendering to a week in winter in Saguenay.
Saturday – Chicoutimi in winter: culture, city, and nature without compromise
Discovering Chicoutimi in winter means understanding how culture and nature coexist harmoniously in Saguenay. The morning is ideally suited for a cultural immersion, with visits to emblematic museums such as the Musée du Fjord, a true key to understanding the territory, its history, and its unique geography. The Pulperie de Chicoutimi Museum, housed in a former industrial complex, plunges visitors into the region’s economic and social past, revealing the working-class and creative soul of Saguenay. These visits not only deepen your understanding of the destination but also anchor the stay in a richer, more meaningful dimension.
In the afternoon, without even leaving the city, Rivière-du-Moulin Park offers a surprising immersion in nature. Snow-covered trails are perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or winter hiking, allowing you to breathe in the crisp air and fully feel the season. In the evening, depending on the time of year, Chicoutimi comes alive with seasonal events such as Saguenay en neige (February 5 to 15, 2026) or the Hivernades de Chicoutimi in late February, adding a festive and welcoming touch to an already full day.
Sunday – Monts Valin in winter: snowshoeing in an exceptional northern setting
During a week in winter in Saguenay, discovering the Vallée des Fantômes in the Monts Valin stands out as one of the most striking and memorable experiences of the stay. Located about 40 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, this legendary valley owes its reputation to a spectacular natural phenomenon: accumulations of snow and frost transform conifers into monumental silhouettes, frozen in almost unreal, ghost-like shapes. In winter, the landscape feels otherworldly, offering visual intensity rarely seen in Québec.
Exploring the Vallée des Fantômes on snowshoes allows for full immersion in this extraordinary northern universe. Marked trails wind through a transformed forest, where every turn reveals new natural sculptures shaped by wind and snow. The silence is profound, broken only by the muffled crunch of snow underfoot, enhancing the feeling of complete disconnection. More than just a winter activity, the Vallée des Fantômes embodies the very essence of Saguenay in winter: grand, mysterious, and deeply inspiring. It is a day that leaves a lasting impression and alone justifies a winter stay in Saguenay.
Monday – Ice fishing on Ha! Ha! Bay and outdoor winter pleasures
Monday highlights traditions deeply rooted in the region’s northern identity. Head to the Baie des Ha! Ha! in winter, about 40 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, to experience authentic ice fishing in Saguenay. This emblematic Québec winter activity invites both contemplation and shared moments in a calm, friendly atmosphere.
After this immersion on the ice, the day continues with a more dynamic activity at the 150e ice loop, an outdoor skating rink set in a pleasant natural environment. Gently gliding across the ice, surrounded by snowy landscapes, offers a simple yet deeply comforting sense of freedom. This balance between traditional winter activity and outdoor movement creates a perfectly paced day, ideal for embracing the slower rhythm of a week in winter in Saguenay.
Tuesday – Saguenay Fjord in winter: a contemplative hike in the national park
About one hour from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, Saguenay Fjord National Park in winter offers one of the most striking experiences of the stay. Here, the fjord reveals its full majesty, with steep cliffs plunging into partially frozen waters, creating a landscape of raw and impressive beauty. Exploring the site by snowshoe or winter hiking along the Saguenay Fjord leads to spectacular viewpoints where the immensity of the territory naturally imposes itself.
Each trail becomes an invitation to contemplation. Soft, diffuse winter light enhances the contrasts between dark rock, pristine snow, and icy water. The prevailing silence creates an almost meditative atmosphere, encouraging introspection and awe. This day at the fjord is one of the most memorable moments of a winter stay in Saguenay, offering a deep connection to the land and an intimate understanding of the northern grandeur that defines the region.
Wednesday – Snowmobiling in Saguenay and aerial views: winter in spectacular form
At the heart of a week in winter in Saguenay, Wednesday marks a turn toward pure adventure, the kind that quickens the heartbeat and leaves lasting memories. Saguenay in winter is a premier snowmobiling destination thanks to the vastness of its territory, the quality of its trails, and the diversity of its landscapes. With Saguenay Aventures, two experiences are available depending on your desired intensity and duration. The first is a full-day guided snowmobile excursion in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, about one hour from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, covering long distances through snow-covered forests, open valleys, and spectacular panoramas where snow seems endless.
The second option, gentler yet equally immersive, is a half-day electric snowmobile experience departing from La Baie, just 30 minutes from OTL. Quiet and environmentally friendly, it offers a different perspective on the territory in perfect harmony with the winter landscape. To elevate an already memorable day, a helicopter tour with Héli-Extrême, located minutes from La Baie, provides a breathtaking aerial view of the Saguenay Fjord in winter. Flights lasting 15 to 40 minutes include various circuits, crossing the fjord, flying over Saguenay, La Baie, or the snow-covered Monts Valin. From the air, the region reveals its full grandeur, confirming Saguenay as one of Québec’s most spectacular winter playgrounds.
Thursday – Relaxation and wellness at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay: slowing down to savour more
After several sensation-filled days, Thursday is a deliberate invitation to slow down, care for yourself, and enjoy comfort without leaving the hotel. During a week in winter in Saguenay, this pause becomes essential to rebalance body and mind. Without even putting on a coat, PAŪS Spa Expérience and its thermal experience at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay offer a welcome moment of softness. Hot baths, thermal contrasts, relaxation areas, massages, Hydrafacial® treatments, and personalized care create an enveloping atmosphere where time seems suspended. The warmth of the facilities contrasts beautifully with the cold outdoors, enhancing the sense of well-being.
This day free of travel, schedules, and noise becomes a true luxury. In the evening, Boefish Restaurant in Saguenay completes the experience with refined cuisine highlighting premium meats and fresh fish, prepared with precision. This wellness-focused day reminds us that a winter trip to Saguenay is not only about adventure, but also about the art of slowing down and savouring each moment.
Friday – Dog sledding in Saguenay: experiencing authentic northern emotion
It is impossible to imagine a week in winter in Saguenay without the iconic dog sledding experience. About 30 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, Alaskan du Nord and Les Balades Solo offer immersive outings that plunge travellers into the most authentic northern imagery. Guided by the dog teams, you are carried along at their rhythm through snow-covered landscapes of striking beauty, where silence is broken only by the dogs’ breathing and the glide of the sled runners.
Options vary to suit all travellers, from full-day excursions with lunch to shorter outings of 1, 3, or 4 hours, by day or evening. Beyond the activity itself, dog sledding is a true encounter with winter, a deeply emotional experience that leaves a lasting impression. For many, it becomes one of the most powerful memories of a winter stay in Saguenay, embodying the very essence of the North.
Saturday – Skiing at Valinouët in winter: gliding through one of Québec’s finest snowy resorts
During a week in winter in Saguenay, a ski day feels natural, and Valinouët in winter is among the region’s most appreciated resorts. Located about 45 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, it is known for its exceptional, often abundant and long-lasting snow conditions. Nestled in a spectacular forest environment, Valinouët offers a ski area that is both accessible and stimulating, with trails winding through an authentic northern setting.
Intermediate skiers find an ideal playground, while those seeking a challenge enjoy steeper runs and wooded areas that add an immersive dimension. The resort’s calmer rhythm allows you to savour each descent and take time to admire the snowy scenery. For those wishing to vary winter activities in Saguenay, the site also offers snowshoeing and fat biking. And for travellers eager to explore elsewhere, Mont Bélu, about 30 minutes from OTL, provides a pleasant alternative for a more intimate ski day in a soothing natural setting.
Sunday – Final moments at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay and extending winter’s magic
The final day of a week in winter in Saguenay is designed as a gentle transition, a moment to slow down one last time and savour the benefits of the stay. Sleeping in becomes almost ritualistic, enjoying the calm, comfort, and Moie Collection bedding designed for restorative rest until the very end. The morning unfolds at an unhurried pace, with a visit to the pool or gym, followed by a few more moments of calm.
For guests staying in premium rooms, the thermal experience is included until 4 p.m. on departure day, extending the sense of well-being and allowing for a relaxed departure. It is the perfect opportunity to return to the warmth of the baths and mentally imprint the memories of this northern escape. For those not in a rush, the journey can continue with a loop around Lac Saint-Jean in winter, discovering more emblematic landscapes under their white blanket. You leave with a peaceful mind and eyes still filled with snow and light, certain that you have experienced Saguenay in winter in all its depth, between adventure, contemplation, and the art of living.
Experiencing a week in winter in Saguenay means allowing yourself to be amazed by the grandeur of the territory, the richness of winter activities, and the depth of northern landscapes. Between a majestic fjord, snow-covered mountains, iconic traditions, and premium moments of relaxation, each day becomes a complete experience. Staying at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay means choosing an elegant base to explore winter differently, and leaving with powerful, lasting, and deeply inspiring memories.
FAQ – Activities during a week in winter in Saguenay
What are the best winter activities in Saguenay?
Snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and winter hiking.
How long does it take to reach attractions from OTL Gouverneur Saguenay?
Most outdoor activities are located between 30 minutes and 1 hour away by car.
Is Saguenay a good destination for an extended winter stay?
Yes, thanks to the diversity of landscapes, activities, and ease of travel.
Can adventure and relaxation be combined during the stay?
Absolutely, with the on-site spa, thermal experience, and Boefish Restaurant.
Why choose OTL Gouverneur Saguenay in winter?
For its premium comfort, strategic location, and privileged access to the region’s most beautiful winter sites.
