Winter fun
Located an hour from Montreal, Granby and its surrounding area offers all sorts of winter activities to please the whole family.
Whether you opt for cross-country skiing, fatbike rides, snowshoeing or visiting the Zoo de Granby, you’re sure to go home with great memories of your stay. Take a look at our suggestions of activities and, remember, winter is made for playing outside!
Visit the Zoo in winter
The zoo’s winter edition opens on December 26th.
The Zoo de Granby in winter offers a unique experience in a fairy tale setting, at a fraction of the cost you would pay in summer! From Asia to Oceania, visitors can see all sorts of exotic animals while enjoying the cool, crisp air! See Amur tigers, snow leopards, Japanese macaques and wallabies… Our biologists will be on hand to tell you all about some of these animals’ secrets!
Don’t forget to stop by the mini-farm, the Odyssée Pacifique Sud Aquarium and the pavilion where the elephants and giraffes are housed for the winter. To top off your visit, try out the winter village slides!
Make sure to dress warm in order to fully enjoy this day spent outside.
Enjoy nature while cross-country skiing
Sports enthusiasts will be happy to find out that the Club de golf Les Cèdres offers a great many trails to enjoy. Whether you’re a classic or a skate-style skier, you’ll have access to over 30 km of skiing trails!
The Centre d’interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin offers beginner skiers two, approximately 6 km long, trails that go around the area’s marshlands, La randonnée and La Granbyenne.
Other places where this activity is offered : Parc national de la Yamaska and Parc écologique Jean-Paul-Forand.
Have fun on a fatbike
Have you ever tried out a fatbike? This bicycle is equipped with oversized tires that guarantees a brand new cycling experience! Cycle the many groomed paths of various lengths when visiting the Parc national de la Yamaska. More adventurous bikers will enjoy the 18 km long Grand-Tour where they’ll be able to admire a multitude of breathtaking views.
You can also ride fatbikes in downtown Waterloo on especially groomed bike trails. Once you’re done cycling, stop over at one of the local restaurants and order a take-out meal!
Other places where this activity is offered : Club de golf Les Cèdres, Cidrerie Milton and Centre d’interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin.
Try cycling our network of trails in the snow!
New! Roam l’Estriade from Granby (place de la Gare) to Waterloo (Western St.) riding a fatbike or on foot.
Go snowshoeing and explore the region
Spanning some 5 kilometres, the Parc des Montagnards’ paths are an enchanting venue for snowshoeing amateurs. Once you’ve reached the peak, take a well-deserved pause and take in the magnificent views of lac Brome and the Green Mountains!
The parc écologique Jean-Paul-Forand paths span a total of 6.3 kilometres along the western slope of mont Shefford. They are accessible to the whole family and can be enjoyed either on foot or with snowshoes, depending on the season.
Other places where this activity is offered : Cidrerie Milton, Parc national de la Yamaska and Club de golf Les Cèdres.
Bring your skates or sled down the hills
Beautifully located on the shores of lac Boivin, parc Daniel-Johnson has many winter offerings such as sledding hills, lighted ice paths and an ice ring to skate on as well as a hockey rink. You can also enjoy winter’s pleasures sledding down the hills at parc Terry-Fox.
Winter hiking
Easy and pleasant, the walking paths of the Centre d’interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin meander along the wetlands, allowing you to sample a diverse array of flora and fauna. Make sure to go up the 10 m observation tower and to take in the beautiful views of the region.
The Sentier de la rivière is an easily accessible path close to the new lac Boivin barrage, nestled in pristine and biodiverse nature offering gorgeous views of the rivière Yamaska. Several interpretation panels are set along the path to inform you on your walk.
Discover our new heritage circuit L’Impérial vous embauche!, a 2 km long tour that will, through a series of historical artefacts, immerse you into the daily life of factory of workers in 1939.
Amble through the two loops that make up the 2.3 km multifunctional circuit at the Cidrerie Milton. Before your leave, make sure to stop over at the gourmet boutique to pick up one of the business’ ciders to enjoy at home!
Other places where this activity is offered : Parc des Montagnards, Parc écologique Jean-Paul-Forand and Parc national de la Yamaska.
Try your hand at ice fishing
Ice fishing season is hot in the Eastern Townships! The Parc national de la Yamaska offers various ice fishing packages – equipment, tent and hole in the ice included! A guide is also available if you want to learn more about the area’s aquatic fauna. You can rent fishing gear and a heated fishing hut on lac Champlain. Ice fishers who have their own equipment can also enjoy their sport on lac Brome.
Discover skijoring
Tuesdays ans Thusdays are dog friendly days at the Club de golf Les Cèdres.
Skijoring, kickledding and canicross are all unique regional sports that you can try out with your favorite companion!
Where to eat
Reward yourself for your efforts and warm up after playing outside! Visit one of the region’s charming cafes and bistros and enjoy a great hot chocolate or a nice cappuccino.
Try out one of our gastronomical restaurants and meet congenial chef-owners who create tantalizing seasonal menus just to please you!
Where to sleep
Prolong the pleasure and stay the night at one of our hotels, B&Bs, chalets or motels! Some establishments offer packages that include some of the above-mentioned activities. Inquire when making your reservation.
