A Week in Winter in Sherbrooke: The Ideal Itinerary to Savour Winter in the Eastern Townships
Spending a week in winter in Sherbrooke means choosing a destination where winter becomes a true way of life. Here, snow enhances the landscapes, the pace naturally slows, and every experience takes on a more authentic dimension. Between easily accessible mountains, charming villages, Nordic activities, and moments of pure relaxation, Sherbrooke and its surrounding region offer an exceptional playground for an extended winter getaway. By staying at OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke, you enjoy an elegant and perfectly located home base. Imagine a full week in winter in Sherbrooke, thoughtfully planned day by day, where each experience naturally finds its place between discovery, relaxation, and wonder.
Friday Evening – Arrival at OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke and First Holiday Feelings
After the drive, arriving at OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke marks a true transition. From the moment you step through the hotel doors, the atmosphere, contemporary design, and quality of the welcome invite you to leave daily routines behind. Settling into your room becomes a privileged moment: soft lighting, clean lines, refined materials, and the exclusive Moie Collection bedding, designed to provide deep, restorative sleep.
Ordering room service allows you to enjoy a meal without constraints, in the calm of your private space. This first evening is intentionally dedicated to rest, disconnection, and anticipation of the days ahead, a necessary pause before fully embracing a dreamlike winter week.
Saturday – Discovering Sherbrooke in Winter: Walks, Urban Art, and a Gentle Pace of Life
Exploring Sherbrooke in winter means discovering a city perfectly suited to wandering. The day ideally begins with a walk around Lac des Nations, where snow-covered paths follow the water and offer soothing views of the city. Winter brings a hushed, almost contemplative atmosphere, ideal for walking and photography.
The mural circuit, accessible via an audio guide, then transforms the city into a true open-air gallery. Each mural tells part of the local story, allowing visitors to understand Sherbrooke differently and at their own pace.
Wellington Street extends the experience with its boutiques, independent shops, and local addresses, perfect for shopping or simply soaking in the ambiance. A gourmet break in a café punctuates the day before heading to Mont Bellevue. Free to access, this viewpoint offers a unique late-afternoon perspective over an illuminated Sherbrooke, a simple yet deeply memorable moment.
Sunday – A Day of Skiing at Mont Orford
Sunday is ideal for escaping to the mountains without covering long distances. Just 23 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke, Mont Orford stands out as one of the most beautiful ski destinations in the Eastern Townships. Nestled in the heart of a national park, the site offers a striking winter setting, where snow-covered forests accompany every descent. The ski area appeals with the diversity of its runs, allowing intermediate skiers to fully enjoy themselves while offering rewarding challenges for more experienced skiers. Wide, well-groomed slopes sit alongside more technical trails, while the wooded areas provide a more immersive, almost wild skiing sensation.
Beyond skiing itself, Mont Orford is known for the quality of its snow conditions and the constant maintenance of its trails, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout the day. Views over the park’s winter landscapes add a contemplative dimension to the physical effort, inviting skiers to pause, breathe in the crisp air, and admire the horizon.
Monday – Culture and Nature: Sherbrooke Museums and André-Nadeau Outdoor Centre
For a winter week in Sherbrooke, Monday invites you to adopt a slower yet equally enriching rhythm. The morning begins with a cultural immersion in one of Sherbrooke’s museums, true gateways to the region’s history, art, and heritage. These visits help deepen your understanding of the local identity, explore diverse exhibitions, and enjoy a warm, reflective moment ideal for discovery.
In the afternoon, head to the Base de plein air André-Nadeau, a privileged spot to reconnect with nature without leaving the city behind. Well-maintained, snow-covered trails offer an accessible outing, perfect for a winter walk or snowshoeing, depending on conditions. The forest’s silence, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot, creates a profound sense of calm. This blend of culture in the morning and nature in the afternoon results in a perfectly balanced day, ideal for recharging while savouring winter at a more contemplative pace.
Tuesday – Coaticook in Winter: Ice Fishing and Must-Do Nordic Activities
During a week in winter in Sherbrooke, a winter escape to Coaticook naturally stands out as a way to vary landscapes and experiences. Located a short distance from Sherbrooke, this destination charms visitors with its accessible winter activities, perfectly suited for families and travellers eager to discover the outdoors differently. The day begins at the Parc Découverte Nature de Coaticook, renowned for its friendly, well-supervised ice fishing experience. For approximately 1.5 hours, visitors can try this iconic Québec winter activity by fishing for brook trout and rainbow trout in a safe and welcoming environment. Pricing makes the experience especially appealing, an ideal activity to include in a winter stay in Sherbrooke.
The afternoon continues at Parc de la gorge de Coaticook, one of the most impressive natural sites in the Eastern Townships, even in winter. During the colder months, the park becomes a true Nordic playground offering a wide range of activities. Adventurous visitors can try ice climbing, while others may prefer snow scooters or fat biking. For a more contemplative approach, snowshoeing and winter hiking remain excellent options. Although the famous suspension bridge is closed during winter, the gorge retains all its grandeur, offering spectacular views of frozen formations and snow-covered cliffs. This day in Coaticook perfectly illustrates the richness of winter activities around Sherbrooke, combining discovery, outdoor adventure, and shared enjoyment in a stay designed to fully embrace winter.
Wednesday – North Hatley and Magog: Winter Elegance and Simple Pleasures
Just 20 minutes from OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke, the village of North Hatley beautifully embodies the art of living in the Eastern Townships. In winter, its quiet streets, lined with elegant homes and snow-covered scenery, naturally invite you to slow down. Taking the time to stroll, admire Lake Massawippi frozen by the cold, and stop in a café for a warm drink becomes an experience in itself. This suspended moment allows you to soak in the village’s hushed atmosphere, far from the bustle, and to appreciate winter in all its softness.
The afternoon continues in Magog, where winter is enjoyed in an active yet accessible way. When conditions allow, the Pointe Merry skating trail offers a unique outdoor skating experience in the heart of nature. Gliding gently across the ice, surrounded by winter landscapes, is a simple yet deeply memorable activity. This combination of charming village life and gentle outdoor activity creates a perfect balance between contemplation and movement.
Thursday – A Full Day of Relaxation at PAŪS Spa Expérience and Boefish
After several days filled with discovery, Thursday is entirely devoted to wellness and slowing down. PAŪS Spa Expérience, directly accessible from OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke, allows you to enjoy a day without constraints, travel, or a strict schedule. Personalized massages, the thermal experience, hot baths, and moments of rest in the relaxation lounge offer a true reconnection with yourself. In winter, these moments become even more enveloping, as warmth contrasts beautifully with the cold outside.
The day continues gently with a manicure or aesthetic treatment, before taking a seat at Boefish for dinner. Renowned for the high quality of its meats and fresh fish, the restaurant offers refined cuisine, perfect for concluding this relaxing day. This car-free, coat-free, stress-free pause quickly becomes one of the highlights of the week in winter in Sherbrooke, a reminder that travel is also about knowing when to slow down.
Friday – Skiing at Sutton or a Romantic Escape to Bromont
Friday opens the door to two distinct winter experiences, depending on your mood. About one hour away, Mont Sutton appeals to skiers seeking a more natural and authentic experience. Its winding trails, often bordered by wooded areas, offer an immersive glide through the forest. Sutton is particularly appreciated for its laid-back atmosphere and varied terrain, ideal for a sensation-filled day on the slopes. Trying the Yooner, a fun and original winter activity, allows you to experience the mountain differently and adds an extra touch of adrenaline to the day.
For a more romantic escape, Bromont, montagne d’expériences, is an ideal alternative. In addition to its accessible, well-designed ski area, Bromont offers the famous Soirées au sommet in the evening. These intimate events provide a unique experience combining refined gastronomy, music, and exceptional panoramic views of the region. Depending on the theme, wine and jazz, candlelit evenings, or live performances await you. Dates should be verified, as these evenings are not held every Friday.
Saturday – Mégantic: Immersion in Nature and an Exceptional Starry Sky
An excursion to Mégantic National Park allows you to experience winter in the Eastern Townships from a spectacular perspective, surrounded by vast, preserved landscapes. The day is dedicated to outdoor activities: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and sliding offer options for all levels. Snow-covered trails and open panoramas create a profound sense of freedom, making this an ideal way to end the week on an active and rejuvenating note.
In the evening, the experience transforms with a visit to the Astrolab, renowned for the exceptional quality of its night sky. Stargazing becomes a magical moment, made possible by the absence of light pollution. This activity is offered on Saturdays only, from January 24 to March 21, as well as on March 5 and 6, 2026, with reservations are required. It is a rare experience that leaves lasting memories, long after this winter week in Sherbrooke.
Sunday – Final Moments at OTL and a Gentle Return Home
The final day is designed as a smooth transition back home. Sleeping in allows you to fully enjoy the comfort of the room and the Moie Collection bedding. The morning continues with a visit to the pool or gym, depending on your preference, before savouring a few more quiet moments.
For guests in premium rooms, the thermal experience is included until 4 p.m. on departure day, offering the perfect opportunity to extend the sense of well-being until the very last moment. The return journey unfolds slowly, filled with memories and the feeling of having truly taken the time to experience winter in Sherbrooke, between discovery, relaxation, and authentic pleasures.
Living a week in winter in Sherbrooke means choosing to slow down and immerse yourself in a season rich in contrasts. Between accessible mountains, charming villages, Nordic activities, and moments of relaxation, each day offers a different experience, always balanced and inspiring. Winter here becomes a playground that is both soothing and energizing.
Staying at OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke means enjoying an elegant home base where high-end comfort, included breakfast, free parking, and proximity to attractions simplify the experience. You return home with lasting memories, a rested mind, and the feeling of having experienced winter differently, in all its beauty and authenticity.
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FAQ – Things to Do During a Week in Winter in Sherbrooke
What are the best winter activities around Sherbrooke?
Downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, skating, winter hiking, and stargazing.
Where can you ski near Sherbrooke?
At Mont Orford (23 minutes away), Mont Sutton, Mont Owl’s Head or Bromont (about 1 hour away).
Which activities are suitable for families?
Ice fishing in Coaticook, sledding, nature walks, and skating.
Can you combine activities and relaxation during your stay?
Yes, thanks to PAŪS Spa Expérience, located directly at OTL.
Do some activities require advance reservations?
Yes, ice fishing, the Astrolab, and certain seasonal activities require reservations.
Why choose OTL Gouverneur Sherbrooke in winter?
For its high-end comfort, strategic location, and included services.
