Chic-Choc Mountains: The Winter Adventure Mecca in Quebec You’ve Never Heard Of
Growing up in Arizona, the Chic-Choc Mountains (pronounced shick-shock) of Eastern Québec are almost quite literally on the opposite side of North America. So you’ll understand why I had never heard of them before. Thankfully, my lack of understanding ended in March of 2026, when I had the opportunity to visit the lesser-known, less-visited winter mecca.
Over the course of a week, I explored Gaspésie National Park on snowshoes and splitboard, and rode fresh powder on Murdochville’s hallowed resort and backcountry runs. It was a fantastic experience and one that outdoor adventurers and snowboarders/skiers alike will love.
If you’re looking for a new region to hit the slopes, I think you’ll love the Gaspé Peninsula of eastern Québec.
Five Days in the Chic-Choc Mountains of Eastern Québec
Coming from Denver, this was technically a seven-day trip in its entirety. I went from Denver to Montreal (overnight), then made a quick touchdown in Québec City before landing in Gaspé. From there, a 2.5-hour drive to Mont Albert sealed the deal on our travel day.
Then, the five days in the Chic-Choc Mountains you’ll see below. Then it was another 24 hours of travel, including an overnight in Toronto, to get home.
But it was worth it! The Chic-Choc Mountains are impressive and a heckuva place for a winter adventure.
Day 1 – Driving through the Chic-Chocs to Mont Albert
We loaded into the small twin-engine turboprop and were on our way. A short touchdown in Québec City gained us a few more passengers, and 75 minutes later, most of the plane was walking down the steps at the Gaspé Airport.
I stopped in town for lunch at the cute Cafe Des Artistes, quickly realizing that I was surely the only American and definitely the only person who didn’t speak a lick of French. After a delicious sandwich, I began the drive to Murdochville to pick up my splitboarding gear.
Chic-Chac Resort has everything you’ll need, including avalanche gear. Not needing to pack all my gear made traveling so much better. From there, I continued down to the St. Lawrence River and counterclockwise to reach Mont Albert and Gaspésie National Park.
With the light fading, I headed down to the river 30 yards from the entrance of the Gîte du Mont-Albert to take in the sights and stretch my legs after a day of driving.
Day 2 – Intro to the backcountry in Gaspésie National Park
My first full day in Gaspésie National Park was a fun one.
I grabbed some food and coffee at the hotel’s delicious breakfast buffet. After enjoying eggs, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, and more, I gathered all my gear and headed just two minutes down the road to the Discovery Center.
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Morning in the Classroom
Today was ‘Intro to Backcountry.’ The first half-day was spent in the classroom, focusing on safety during a backcountry tour. This included avalanche safety, reading the daily reports from Avalanche Québec, using a beacon, and more. It was incredibly educational and useful.
Afternoon in the backcountry
Around noon, we headed out and drove the 20 minutes to the Enerest Laforce Trailhead to begin our afternoon touring. It had been years since I was actually strapped into skis, and I felt quite wobbly.
For the day, we honestly didn’t do too much. Still, it was a beautiful day in the Chic-Chocs. After 25 minutes of skinning, our guide stopped us and began digging a hole to show us the snow quality at different depths.
This was fantastic to see because underneath the 3-4 inches of snow was an icy layer. While we were on flat terrain, this corroborated the morning avalanche report. With soft snow on top of a hard layer, an avalanche could be triggered in some locations.
After seeing the snow quality, we continued our tour to the summit of Mont Ernest Laforce. We zigzagged our way up the mountain, reducing our avalanche risk and keeping the effort level lower than going straight up.
Once our group of five reached the top, the wind was howling! This made for a very quick stop. As the only splitboarder in the group, I had to transition from skis to a snowboard. It’s not the fastest process, especially when the wind chill feels like it was in the single digits.
Heading Down
One by one, our group descended from the flat mountain top, joining our guide who left first. I left last, snapping photos of everyone’s descent. After a few more descents and meet-ups, we finally stopped for lunch out of the wind. It felt like a different world down there.
15 minutes later, with bellies full of chicken salad sandwiches, we stripped off our skins again and headed back up (though not to the summit). As dark clouds approached, our guide told us this was our last descent of the day.
Again, I transitioned from skis to a snowboard, trying my best not to sink into the soft, deep snow. From there, we headed down, weaving through untouched powder and thin trees that dotted the slope.
Unfortunately, the powder eventually ended, and we joined the nearly flat walking trail. And as the snowboarders reading this know, flat terrain is enemy number one! I unstrapped and walked the final .33 of a mile to the trailhead as ominous-looking clouds formed above us.
Day 3 – Snowshowing in Gaspésie National Park – 8.25 miles, 2000 feet of gain
While I enjoy backcountry touring, I love snowshoeing! I had almost an entire day, and the staff at the Discovery Center recommended going up to Mont Olivine. So I did!
You start at the Discovery Center, walk down the driveway, cross the road, and hop on the trail. I took a slightly longer route, walking on the opposite side of the river to start. This side has more elevation gain, but I figured I’d get a different view.
The first 2.25 miles are generally flat until you reach the Serpentine Wiewpoint. From here, it steepens quickly. You’ll gain 700 feet in a mile. Thankfully, you’ll get a small reprieve with flat terrain before reaching the junction that leads to the Mont Olivine summit.
The next section to the top is moderately challenging, gaining about 500 feet over a mile.
The top of Mont Olivine
As I climbed higher and higher to the top of Mont Olivine, the surrounding Chic-Choc Mountains, including Mont Albert, came into view. It was gorgeous seeing this snow-covered terrain.
Once at the top, I surveyed the landscape, soaking in all the sights and sunny skies, and enjoyed a quick lunch. But the skies were darkening to the south, which meant it was time to make my way back down.
I made great time heading down, stopping again at the Serpentine Viewpoint to eat more and layer up. I then covered the flat portion of the trail with little effort. This time, though, I completed the loop along the river, making sure to stop by the frozen Saint Anne Waterfall.
In all, I hiked a little over 8 miles with 2000 feet of gain. (The official stats said 7.45 miles and 1,300 feet.)
After warming up at the Discovery Center, I began my 1.5-hour drive to Murdochville to continue the winter Chic-Choc itinerary.
Day 4 – Backcountry Ski/Splitboard Day
Day four of my Chic-Choc mountain itinerary was supposed to be backcountry touring, but conditions did not align. Cold, icy conditions closed things down. But hope was on the horizon. Murdochville was in store for some 25+ inches of snow that evening and into the next day.
After 8 miles on snowshoes the day before, I was a little sore, so a quieter day wasn’t too bad. Still, I was monitoring the snow, and once enough had fallen, I would gear up and head over to Mont Miller, just 100 yards away, and skin up the mountain for a run or two.
Mont Miller
By the time I had my skins on and began moving up the mountain, it was dumping! An easy six inches had already dropped. It was perfect conditions.
I estimate I climbed about 600 feet up the mountain, parallel to the T-Bar, before turning left and going to the main slope. Here, I put my board together, tried to unfreeze the inside of my goggles (no luck), and began cruising down the run, weaving through the powder like a hot knife through butter.
For all the effort going up, it was a fast, yet exhilarating run down. Once at the bottom, I intended to skin up once more. Disappointingly, my skins were being finicky in the snow and wouldn’t stay on my skis. I eventually called it a day and headed back to the motel to warm up.
Day 5 – Powder Day Splitboarding in the Chic-Chocs
I woke up elated! It was still snowing, some 15+ inches already, and there was no end in sight. I headed over to the ex-church, now turned into Chic-Chac Headquarters, for coffee and breakfast.
Here, I met my guide, Charles. We did a quick debrief and breakdown of what the day would look like. From here, I headed back to my room to gear up.
A little after 9am, we were in line for the T-Bar at Mont Miller, watching the never-ending stream of snowflakes fall from the grey clouds above.
Fresh Pow-Pow in Murdochville
The runs were perfect! And almost empty. Because of the huge storm, they closed one of the two ways into Murchdochville. So, if you weren’t already in town, you weren’t coming. I’m pretty sure the resort population topped out around 50-60 people.
We stuck to the main route straight down the mountain. With so much fresh powder and hardly anyone else doing that route, we could continue to do fresh lines again and again.
With five amazing runs in the tank, we headed back to CC Headquarters for lunch. A bowl of warm soup, a cup of hot tea, and a sandwich made the perfect combination. Afterward, we headed out to Mont Porphyre, one of the backcountry areas that Chic-Chac resort has ‘created.’
They offer catskiing, guided alpine touring, and heliskiing throughout the Chic-Choc Mountains.
Charles and I were snowmobiled 2/3s up the mountain, where we hopped and strapped in.
Day 6 – Murdochville to Québec City
On my final day of the trip, it was supposed to be an easy day. Grab breakfast at Chic Chac Headquarters, pack up, and drive the hour to the coast and the Gaspé Airport.
Plane schedules at other plans. My flight out of Gaspé was delayed nearly 4+ hours (I actually have no idea if they ever left). So, I decided to drive the six-ish hours from Murdochville to Québec City, guaranteeing I made my flight back to the US.
The drive along the St. Lawrence River is beautiful, and thankfully, the weather was clear once I made it out of the Chic-Choc Mountains.
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Are the Chic-Choc Mountains worth visiting?
I fully believe the Chic-Choc Mountains of Québec are worth visiting. After hearing so many people say that a visit to this area (especially in winter) is a bucket-list moment, I came to understand how special it is.
While these are the massive peaks of the Canadian Rockies or the sheer granite faces of Yosemite National Park, this area is special for how unique it is compared to the rest of the province. It has so much untapped nature, and for those looking to board or ski, top-tier terrain.
If you happen to find your way out to the Chic-Choc Mountains, you’re in for a real treat!
Planning your trip to Québec
How to get to the Chic-Choc Mountains?
There are two main ways to reach the Chic-Choc Mountains for winter adventures.
The fastest is by plane. You’ll likely start in either Montreal or Québec City, fly into Gaspé, then rent a car, and drive for one hour to Murdochville. (To reach Mont Albert, it’s another 1.5 hours.) This is also the priciest option.
The next way is to drive. It’s a long, but beautiful route along the St. Lawrence River. With good conditions, you can do this in six hours. Even with Canadian fuel prices higher than those in the US, it’s a far more economical way to do things. (Gas prices in Canada are around $7 a gallon.)
Where to stay in the area?
In Mont Albert and Murdochville, there aren’t many options. Luckily, the two below are pretty great, and I’m sure you’ll be satisfied!
In Murdochville, I stayed at the Motel l’Olympique, at the base of Mont Miller. I literally walked out the front door (avoiding a slip on the ice) and 5 minutes later, was strapping my skis on to skin up the mountain. Yes, it’s that close.
It’s a great place to stay, and all I had to do was walk across the road to get to the Chic-Chac restaurant for my meals.
And for Mont Albert, the four-star Gîte du Mont-Albert was amazing. It’s perfectly located, where you can walk out the front door and start your hikes without having to start a car engine. Plus, there’s full-service dining, a spa, and a bar for afternoon hangouts. The staff was incredibly hospitable, and I highly recommend it.
Staying Safe in the Backcountry
It’s imperative to understand the terrain in the Chic-Choc Mountains, come prepared, and know the avalanche risk. When the danger is great, it’s better to play it safe than risk your life. There’s no official Search and Rescue in the area. If you get in trouble, you’re almost on your own.
- Travel one at a time through exposed terrain
- Check the avalanche forecast before you go
- Avoid being under cornices that could collapse
- Carry and know how to use your rescue gear
- Avoid slope angles between 30 and 45 degrees. These are prime avy spots.
How cold can it get?
It can get cold! When I was there, it had had a mini warm spell into the 30F’s. But when I left, the wind chill was below 5F. In winter, it’s not unusual to have highs in the teens or low twenties.
How much snow does the Chic-Chocs get each year?
This area tends to get 10-12 feet of snow per year (120-144 inches). Due to its location, its snowfall is boosted by humidity rising off the St. Lawrence River, rising quickly over the tall cliffs that line the southern shores.
So even without constant storms, there’s still consistent snowfall throughout the winter.
Is there a language barrier?
Not really. At least not in the touristy parts. In Murdochville and Mont Albert, I was able to communicate completely fine. Even though French is the official language, most people still speak English.
It was funny when I was driving back to Québec City; I stopped at McDonald’s for a quick bite. When I started speaking English, I swear the cashier’s look was almost one of complete shock. Who knows the last time she heard English!
What are the National Parks on the Gaspé Peninsula?
In addition to Gaspésie National Park (Mont Albert), you’ll find Forillon National Park just outside of the town of Gaspé, Miguasha National Park on the southern side, and lastly, Bonaventure Island National Park and Percé Rock to the south of Gaspé.
What is the CAD-to-USD conversion rate?
Currency conversion tends to be about 25% cheaper for Americans visiting Canada. So if something is $10 CAD, it’ll show up on your credit card as $7.50 USD.
Most travel credit cards now have zero foreign transaction fees, but make sure yours do, or else you’ll pay a small fee.
Final thoughts on visiting the Chic-Choc Mountains
I had a blast exploring the Gaspé Peninsula. This was an area that was completely new to me, and I had little knowledge of it before the trip. But after spending a week in the Chic-Choc Mountains, I totally see why visitors love and admire this area.
No matter the season, Gaspésie National Park, Murdochville, and Gaspé have something to offer. All that is left is booking the trip!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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