Quebec Ice Canoeing: A Chilling Thrill & Cozy Sauna Review

Okay, picture this, if you will, there’s the Old City of Quebec, covered, almost like a painting, in a layer of sparkling snow. It’s proper inviting, it feels, sort of, like you’ve walked right into a postcard. Yet, instead of just, well, strolling along some quaint cobblestone streets, imagine yourself doing something a bit… bolder, should we say? We are talking, obviously, about ice canoeing on the very chilly, that’s certain, St. Lawrence River. Now, add, only because we can, the prospect of warming yourself up later with a great big mug of something hot plus a sauna. Interested? Keep reading, maybe!

What Is Ice Canoeing, Anyway?

So, what on Earth, you could ask, very rightly, is ice canoeing? Well, truth be told, way back when, before there were bridges or, for instance, icebreakers, people around here utilized canoes to cross the icy river in the winter. It really was that serious, like their lives relied on it. Now, this kind of transport has turned into quite a seriously awesome, for sure unique, extreme sport. Teams of five take turns paddling and pushing their canoes across a mixture of open water and ice floes. It sounds intense, and yet, it genuinely is quite something! It is not like a simple paddle in the park.

Very arguably, it’s a true test, just the honest reality, of strength, stamina, also, it is rather crucial, teamwork. Imagine that you’re pushing a canoe across an ice floe, trying desperately, actually with some urgency, not to slip into, wow that river seems awfully, the freezing water. Then you’re suddenly, perhaps more accurately, paddling like crazy to avoid being swept away by the current. You work in bursts. It gets intense. And yet, when you are done you’ll definitely feel like you’ve really achieved something proper special. A few companies around Quebec offer an experience where, to balance this madness, at the end, they then warm you up afterwards with hot chocolate plus, wait for it, a sauna! Does sound worth it!

Our Ice Canoeing Experience with “Sauna Surprise”

Alright, we did it. Actually we signed up for, honestly booked, a guided ice canoeing trip that featured a reward, rather lovely reward it appeared, a hot chocolate sauna session. Very arguably, that last bit certainly, perhaps mainly, helped to swing the decision for one or two of our team. We chose a company that had proper good reviews and one that seemed, based on what people had said, really good at keeping everyone totally safe. Very wisely, especially when doing any extreme sport, always look closely, very keenly even, at the safety record of any vendor. As I was saying, we weren’t sorry we took this advice. The day itself was, mostly thanks to them, an out and out blast, you see.

The experience began, properly enough, with a safety briefing. So we got given, that’s the actual truth, very, very thick waterproof suits plus ice cleats for our boots. Putting these items on felt more or less like turning into, should we suggest, a cross between the Michelin Man and a penguin – definitely restrictive yet very much necessary! We traipsed down to the shores of the St. Lawrence, where we met our guide, a person so evidently, or to express it better apparently, enthusiastic about ice canoeing that we all almost instantly began to feel quite relaxed about the adventure in front of us. Not entirely though!

Right then, so we all piled into a canoe (or, quite rightly, technically, an ice canoe) and set off. At first, almost unsurprisingly really, it was somewhat clumsy. There were a lot of arms and legs all over the place, yet pretty quickly we did get, it seemed, the hang of it, almost anyway. It really is pretty challenging, this pushing the boat across ice while other folks paddle at the same time! Some of the ice floes, to let you know, were remarkably slippery, actually that bit can be understated. I felt quite convinced that one of us could have gone headfirst into the river at any given moment! Nevertheless, it stayed pretty thrilling. Every single now and then the sun shone very strongly, causing the snow to sparkle so much that it hurt your actual eyes. On other occasions we really had to dig our cleats into the ice just to get some level of grip. The river, too, looked beautiful.

As a matter of fact, falling into the water was more or less prevented, perhaps down to beginner’s luck rather than something impressive or amazing! We reached the halfway point without issues (though, let it be said, with tired arms), and it meant that, because of that, we could stop for pictures and a small, very, quick breather. Our guide then pointed out some, well really just lots of interesting facts related to, unsurprisingly perhaps, Quebec City plus the history of ice canoeing itself. Then it was back in the canoe, where, it should be told, we faced very tiring headwinds as we completed the circle to get back. That’s hard, that’s for sure!

Finally, oh my life were we very glad, back on dry land, a warm place to dry off. I cannot understate that a sauna has never been more warmly received. The warmth really was absolutely fantastic, literally it soaked into our freezing bones as if our skeletons were just parched! So with, obviously, big cheesy grins, we each sank back against, literally in many cases collapsing onto, the wooden benches. Hot chocolate then followed – not just hot chocolate you see, this was what people here call “proper” hot chocolate. Rich, sweet and completely satisfying, you see! I really can’t think of a single more fantastic way that you might finish an utterly unforgettable adventure, that’s what I think anyway!

Is Ice Canoeing Hard?

Good question! You have every right to ask. Actually the truthful, in a manner blunt, answer is, very certainly, yes. However, don’t allow this to prevent you from trying it. It is certainly, just for sure, a challenge. We all needed a reasonably acceptable, almost just OK, level of physical fitness, because really, the constant pushing and pulling does quite soon take its toll. One element to consider is that there are moments where some team members are needed to jump out and push the canoe across the ice. Other members will paddle to assist them as much as possible and to keep the boat straight. In any case this really does need strength plus good balance, of course. Really this adventure is much more tough than anything else. Don’t forget you’re combating both wind plus the current of an enormously powerful and pretty damn chilly river, you see.

Now, you do not need, actually quite the opposite is the truth, to be an Olympian. The tour people really tend, perhaps unsurprisingly, to pace the activity to match their clients’ skill plus levels of stamina. The main thing you have to do, that’s crucial, is listen really closely to the advice they give and push your limits. Truthfully you’re then quite very likely, at the end, to surprise yourself. Another fact that does help is to be part of a team where everyone knows everyone else, plus where everyone gets on. It means that you are really more likely, because of that, to pull together properly. Still it seems like proper, hilarious fun with work colleagues.

What to Wear Ice Canoeing

Well here we need to talk, right away, about layering, folks. Dress as if you’re headed out into, literally almost facing the challenges of, some seriously terrible Arctic conditions – then you will, or could be, OK! Usually (yet perhaps check first just in case) the tour operator offers, very certainly they should, a waterproof outer suit that should keep out almost any wind plus moisture, generally, anyway.

• Base Layers: Get, at least borrow, moisture-wicking base layers, for example some merino wool or a synthetic fabric. You want that type of material that keeps any moisture away from the skin. Actually being wet and extremely cold can be a dreadful and awful mix.
• Insulating Layers: Add one or even two insulating layers over those. Fleeces tend to work rather very well. Down is a really wonderful shout also, if it seems, when you look outside, that the weather might stay completely dry.
• Socks: Purchase some warm, wool socks. Maybe consider taking two pairs. Freezing toes are the worst, it really doesn’t feel good.
• Gloves or Mittens: Get both, if feasible. Start with a pair of liner gloves, and then use waterproof mittens or, as an option, outer gloves on top. With any luck you’ll still be able to use your fingers right at the very end.
• Headwear: Get something warm, and also something that covers your actual ears completely, and you could be as snug as anything. A balaclava provides super nice warmth if the cold worries you a great deal, that’s absolutely certain.

Who Is Ice Canoeing Suitable For?

Ice canoeing will fit perfectly for someone looking for one heck of, or another way of explaining it an actually fantastic, adrenaline rush. Anyone having, maybe seeking, something completely out of the ordinary. You definitely get some bragging rights from finishing the activity. Though, that being said, the main reason for signing up ought, properly, be because of how rewarding it becomes as part of a team, I do suggest, and the sense of triumph that comes, more or less just arrives, following facing and, amazingly, also conquering some tricky elements. If you are reasonably, or sort of, physically fit and also eager, literally eager, to push those personal boundaries of yours, actually why not check it out!

Booking Your Trip: Some Tips

• Book ahead: Ice canoeing seems to get pretty sought-after during peak tourist months in Quebec City, so actually it’s a good plan, quite wise it can be, to reserve your trip early. Seriously, so don’t expect to, for example, turn up and instantly find spaces!
• Check what’s included: Get real clear with your supplier regarding what the tour actually offers. Can you anticipate waterproof gear plus the hot chocolate plus sauna?
• Read Reviews: Take just a small bit of the time to scroll via several online reviews so you get a really proper better insight on just how professionally they deliver their experience. Take some advice relating to what people who’ve tried them before already have, you know. It is really very very good, this really can matter greatly.
• Ask About Safety: Don’t become shy relating to asking outright as regards the provider’s safety procedures or what their back-up strategies may include if, worst imaginable moment, things go wrong somewhere along that tricky old icy river.

Okay, truth told you absolutely could have an truly outstanding day ice canoeing on the Saint Lawrence. This particular mix that involves taking on extreme cold as a member of a group, with a bit of stunning Quebec scenery, finishing, that being all the best bit by miles as everyone will surely confirm, in an awesome sauna and also drinking a massively oversized portion of excellent hot chocolate makes one just fantastically unforgettable adventure.

It seems rather exhausting to mention it can feel a little extreme to a few souls (I’d be one, if I am to be actually completely truthful!). On this occasion and yet so so much I just wouldn’t encourage someone like you and a group of mates out from this sort of great moment!

Here is a final round-up of really what were the greatest points just as a little refresher of precisely why on Planet you truly would need this very great bit, not long before your plane begins to prepare itself for flying, you have every last opportunity of squeezing a wee jaunt round Canada here folks. It really may give you those travel itches like you just knew that it really does, eh?

• Absolutely fabulous as a true physical obstacle for you
• Truly a truly amazing and special means of soaking up everything it means in Canada at this precise stage, right!
• Those brag values simply won’t stop folks, as your pals and family find absolutely stunning moments you all truly have. Great!

Overall folks, remember at your holiday’s close the way that often travel isn’t exactly what is being sold here – or simply visiting tourist things!

For your complete benefit its nearly what your heart starts to shout loudly that counts – really getting fully embedded well and correctly for that very special moment just is why it can simply truly prove what it did at times! Just be mindful of those waters mind, guys and folks.

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