Culture, Recreation and Outdoors
Cultural, recreation and outdoor activities are a great way to discover a corner of the country! Here are some ideas. Please keep in mind that these activities have not all been evaluated by Kéroul.
Winter Activities
Downhill skiing
Ski Mont Owl's Head - Adapted Sports Foundation
Eastern Townships
The Adapted Sports Foundation adapted ski program is offered at Mont Owl's Head. The program, which takes place over four Saturdays, is affordably priced and includes a lift ticket, adapted equipment and two instructors for the day.
Other ski centres in Quebec that offer adapted downhill skiing
- Mont-Vidéo ski centre (Abitibi-Témiscamingue)
- Centre Plein air Mont-Kanasuta (Abitibi-Témiscamingue)
- Parc du Mont-Comi (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
- Parc régional Val d’Irène (Gaspésie)
- Ski Mont Orford (Eastern Townships)
- Mont Gleason ski resort (Centre-du-Québec)
- Le Massif de Charlevoix (Charlevoix)
- Mont Grands-Fonds (Charlevoix)
- Massif du Sud (Chaudière-Appalaches)
- Montagne Pin Rouge (Gaspésie)
- Mont-Tremblant ski resort (Laurentians)
- Mont Habitant (Laurentians)
- Ski Morin Heights (Laurentians)
- Mont Cascade (Outaouais)
- Sommet Edelweiss (Outaouais)
- Mont-Sainte-Anne (Québec City)
- Stoneham (Québec City)
- Ski Saint-Raymond (Québec City)
- Centre de plein-air du Mont-Lac-Vert (Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean)
You can also consult this extract from the 2017 edition of Québec for all. It provides the equipment offered by the different organizations and some explanations about them. Note that the information may not be up to date.
Cross-country skiing
Ski de fond Québec
The provincial organization Ski de fond Québec offers day-long, introductory adapted cross-country ski lessons throughout Quebec.
Sépaq parks
The Bic, Oka, Îles-de-Boucherville, Mont Saint-Bruno, Mont-Orford and Mont Tremblant national parks all have a Ski-Vel so that people with disabilities can explore the snow trails. The Ski-Vel is available free of charge at each park’s Visitors Centre from December to March, depending on snow conditions.
Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard winter triathlon
Laurentians
St-Adolphe-d’Howard introduced a winter triathlon consisting of snowshoeing (5 km), skating (12 km) and cross-country skiing (8 km). For inclusion purposes, the programming also includes a para-triathlon at a very affordable price. Lastly, the event includes challenges for the 50+ age group, for families and for young students.
Dogsledding
Kinadapt
Lanaudière
Kinadapt is an organization that offers sensory activities involving dogs and dog sled excursions. It uses a variety of classic sled models retrofitted for people with reduced mobility.
Snowmobiling
Arctic Aventure
Laurentians
Arctic Aventure is the only company in or outside of Quebec offering accessible snowmobile rentals. It has creatively adapted its own snowmobiles by adding adjustable backrests and a one-handed driving feature.
Water Activities
Accessible water activities
The famous Hippocampe isn’t the only solution for taking to the water! There are a number of options available to have all sorts of fun.
Accessible water games
Water games installed on rigid, level and non-slip surfaces are accessible to kids in wheelchairs. But personal wheelchairs are rarely designed to get wet! To meet this challenge, some municipalities are equipped with water-resistant wheelchairs so that kids can play in the water without damaging their own wheelchair.
Waterproof wheelchairs are available at the following locations:
- Parc de la Cité in Longueuil (Montérégie)
- Parc Pie-XII in Trois-Rivières (Mauricie)
- Parc Antoine-Pécaudy in Contrecoeur (Montérégie)
- Réservoir Beaudet in Victoriaville (Centre-du-Québec)
- Vélogare du Grand-Tronc in Victoriaville (Centre-du-Québec)
Adapted water skiing
Camp Massawippi
Eastern Townships
Camp Massawippi in the Eastern Townships gives disabled people under the age of 30 the opportunity to enjoy the water in a unique, with adapted water skiing using a wheelchair on skis!
Adaptive Sports Foundation
Eastern Townships
The Adaptive Sports Foundation provides an adapted summer sports program including water skiing, tubing, canoeing and kayaking.
Adapted kayaking
Réservoir Beaudet in Victoriaville
Centre-du-Québec
The city of Victoriaville has a kayak equipped with a transfer platform and a lift for anyone who needs help getting in and out of the kayak. Head to Réservoir Beaudet to enjoy this activity!
Consult Du plein air accessible pour tous for photos.
Envirokayak
Montérégie
Envirokayak in Brossard offers adapted kayaking training and introductory courses.
Adapted canoeing
Pointe-Claire
Montréal
The Pointe-Claire Nautical Activities Department has stable and adapted equipment allowing individuals with reduced mobility to use a canoe.
Club de canotage de Shawinigan
Mauricie
The Club de canotage de Shawinigan offers adapted canoeing for people with physical or intellectual impairments.
Adapted rowing
Club nautique de Sherbrooke
Eastern Townships
Private adapted rowing lessons are offered at the Club nautique de Sherbrooke! Free trials available.
Adapted SUP / stand-up paddleboard
SUP stands for stand-up paddleboard. It is also called paddleboard for short. An AlterGo article explains what this increasingly popular new sport is all about!
Adapted SUP - Adaptavie
Québec City and Area
Adaptavie is conducting an adapted SUP project. The participant sits on the board, which is equipped with a back support. Since early summer, the organization has been offering adapted SUP nature excursions in the Québec City area. Its Facebook page is very active.
O'sijja
Montréal
Another option for adapted SUP is O'sijja - SUP adapté. The organization, is more and more active around the area, especially during festivals and events.
Adapted sailing
AQVA
Pointe-Claire (Montréal)
The Association québécoise de voile adaptée (AQVA) offers people with physical and/or sensory impairments—even those that are very severe—the opportunity to sail independently. The Sip 'n Puff system allows them to steer with their mouth.
Adapted scuba diving
Freedom at Depth Canada
Gatineau
Freedom at Depth Canada provides scuba-diving training to people with disabilities. Participants can earn certification.
Plongée Capitale
QuebecPlongée Capitale offers diving courses on demand to people with physical disabilities (Handicapped Scuba Accociation program)
Accessible pontoon boating
Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
Laval
The Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles offers pontoon boat excursions for up to 48 passengers.
Centre Plein Air L'Étincelle
Lanaudière
The Centre Plein Air L’Étincelle offers group stays for clients with physical and/or intellectual impairments, providing a variety of accessible activities including pontoon boating.
Accès Plein-Air
Lanaudière
The Accès Plein-Air camp provides an array of accessible activities including pontoon boating, and offers group stays. Other accessible activities include water games, canoeing, swimming and rabaska.
Hippocampe
The Hippocampe: The Famous Aquatic Wheelchair
The Hippocampe is a beach wheelchair specially designed to operate on sand. This water-resistant equipment has two rear wheels and one front wheel. With its detachable wheels, you can use balloon wheels to go into the water, inflatable wheels for buoyancy and skis for snow.
Where can I borrow a Hippocampe in Quebec?
Beaches
A growing number of Quebec beaches offer adapted facilities and equipment. This includes accessible paths, beach access mats and Hippocampes, the popular beach wheelchairs that so many people enjoy!
Laurentians
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use (for the beach or trails)
- Accessible washroom facilities including shower and toilet
- Paved multi-use trail
- Entry and parking fee
- TLCS accepted
Washroom facilities are locked at all times. Guest must ask for the key at the reception office.
Montérégie
- Hippocampe wheelchairs available for use
- Accessible swing
- Wading pool with access ramp
- Accessible picnic tables
- Accessible toilets (unverified)
- Entry fee
- TLCS accepted
Montérégie
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use (free)
- Accessible toilets (unverified)
- Paid parking but free beach access
Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Beach access mat
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
- Free entry
- Partially accessible washroom facilities
- Refer to the Kéroul sheet for further details
- See TVA report.
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
- Entry fee (parking included)
- Accessible toilets (unverified)
Eastern Townships
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
- Paid parking
- Accessible toilets (unverified)
Jean-Doré Beach at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Montréal
- Two Hippocampe wheelchairs available for use
- Accessible sidewalk to move around facilities
- Accessible toilets (unverified)
- Entry and parking fee
- TLCS and Access 2 Card accepted
Parc régional des Îles-de-Saint-Timothée beach
Montérégie
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
- Entry fee (parking included), except for residents
- Accessible toilets (unverified)
- Accessible trails
- Accessible picnic tables
Parks and sports centres
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Hippocampe wheelchair rental
- Adapted bicycle rental
- Safety helmets provided
- Accessible trails
- Map of safe cycling route provided
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Hippocampe wheelchair rental
- Adapted bicycle rental
- Safety helmets provided
- Accessible trails
- Map of safe cycling route provided
Pavillon des Croisières internationales
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Hippocampe wheelchair rental
- Adapted bicycle rental
- Safety helmets provided
- Accessible trails
- Map of safe cycling route provided
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Hippocampe wheelchair available for use
- Accessible pool (lift, adapted steps, access ramp)
A Hippocamp wheelchair can be borrowed at the Centre Mario-Tremblay. This equipment can be used at the swimming pool or beach and on the city’s trails.
Outdoor pools
Certain outdoor swimming pools in and around Montréal provide aquatic wheelchairs. For the most part, swimming is free but each pool and borough manage their rates. Be sure to check in every case.
Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex
Montréal
- Two Hippocampe wheelchairs available for use
- Reserved parking
- Adapted locker rooms and washroom facilities (unverified)
- Entry and parking fee
- TLCS and Access 2 Card accepted
LaSalle borough
- Lift
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Locker room with accessible toilet and shower
Plateau-Mont-Royal borough
- Lift
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Locker room with accessible toilet and shower
Plateau-Mont-Royal borough
- Lift
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Locker room with accessible toilet and shower
Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Pool access ramp
- Locker room with accessible toilet
- Reserved parking
Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Pool access ramp
- Locker room with accessible toilet and shower
Saint-Laurent borough
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Pool access ramp
- Locker room with accessible toilet and shower
Longueuil
- Pool access ramp
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- Locker room with accessible toilet and shower
Longueuil
- Pool access ramp
- Aquatic wheelchair available for use
- The locker room is not accessible.
Most of the information on swimming pools comes from the AlterGo publication entitled Suivez le guide! Le guide de loisirs montréalais 2016 pour les personnes ayant une limitation fonctionnelle (in French).
Hippocampe wheelchair rental
André-Viger
Several outlets
If you cannot borrow a Hippocampe, you can rent one! André-Viger has three Hippocampes available for rent at $250 per week, for use in Quebec or abroad. Reservations are recommended due to high demand!
Land Activities
Accessible parks
The following Quebec parks are particularly accessible.
- Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises (Eastern Townships)
- Parc national d’Oka (Laurentians)
- Parc national du Mont-Orford (Eastern Townships)
- Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville (Montérégie)
- Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno (Montérégie)
- Parc régional des Îles-de-Saint-Timothée (Montérégie)
- Parc national du Mont-Tremblant (Laurentians)
- Parc national de Frontenac (Eastern Townships)
- Forillon National Park (Gaspésie)
- Bois de l'Équerre (Laurentians)
Hiking
Hiking in the wilderness can be challenging for people with reduced mobility. Several types of equipment, such as a wheelchair handled by a companion, can help alleviate certain challenges.
The Hippocampe is one of the most popular devices. Go to the drop-down tab on the subject to find out more.
Joëlette
The Réseau Autonomie Santé (RAS) organization and the Ville de Victoriaville offer Joëlettes for rent.
Dahü Challenge
Eastern Townships
For the last few years, the Adaptive Sports Foundation has organized the DAHÜ Challenge during the Bromont Ultrarace. Team members have to establish a good communication system between themselves, including the person with reduced mobility in the Dahü.
Sherbooke Shared Runs
Eastern Townships
The Sherbrooke Shared Runs—group runs where the main runner travels by Kartus—take place every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. around Lac des Nations, departing from in front of the tennis courts at Parc Jacques Cartier.
Course Lumière race
Montréal
Every year, in conjunction with MEC, the Association sportive des aveugles du Québec (ASAQ) organizes a race in the dark for runners with and without visual impairment. The Course Lumière race is held on an evening in September at Parc Maisonneuve.
ASAMM walks
Montréal
The Association sportive des aveugles de Montréal métropolitain (ASAMM) organizes a host of athletic activities every week. Most of these are held outdoors in parks and on the street. For example, there are a number of walking groups, such as those in Montréal-Nord, St-Bruno, Longueuil and Mont-Royal. Every walker with a visual impairment is accompanied by a sighted guide.
Playgrounds
An accessible playground is one that takes into account the needs of as many children as possible and their companions. This means that children are able to get around the playground in a wheelchair, access several of the play modules in a seated position, find their way around using a white cane and easily understand boundaries indicated by colours.
- Parc Mars, Saguenay (Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean)
- Parc Alcide-Reid, Saguenay (Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean)
- Parc Rosaire-Gauthier, Saguenay (Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean)
- Parc Pie-XII, Trois-Rivières (Mauricie)
- Centre François-Michelle, Ahuntsic (Montréal)
- Parc Ferland, Saint-Léonard (Montréal)
- Parc Desjardins-du-Millénaire, Saint-Zotique (Montérégie)
- Parc de l’Île-Bell, Mont-Laurier (Laurentians)
- Parc Wilson, Verdun (Montréal)
- Parc des Vétérans, Centre-Sud (Montréal) - partial
- Parc Hector-Toe-Blake, Ville-Marie (Montréal) - partial
- Parc Multisports, Saint-Jérôme (Laurentians)
- Parc de la Confédération, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Montréal)
Adapted cycling
Accès Cycle
Gaspésie
Accès Cycle is an organization offering sports activities to disabled people in Gaspésie. An individual membership card provides unlimited bicycle use, low-cost kayak rentals and a companion service by appointment. For non-members, prices are higher but still affordable.
Maison du vélo, Gatineau
Outaouais
The Maison du vélo in Gatineau, operated by Le Grenier du petit sportif, loans bicycles for free for the day, including a new electric bike with a platform for a person in a wheelchair. The Maison du Vélo also offers a tandem bicycle.
Vélogare du Grand-Tronc
Centre-du-Québec
The Ville de Victoriaville lends adapted bicycles to residents and visitors. Cyclists can borrow tandem bicycles with seats one in front of the other, side-by-side tandems or tandems with a platform to enjoy the region’s 58-km network of bike paths and its various parks and green spaces.
City of Saguenay
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
The Ville de Saguenay offers disabled people an adapted bicycle rental service in its three boroughs, at Parc de la Rivière-du-Moulin in Chicoutimi, at Parc de la Rivière-aux-Sables in Jonquière and at the Pavillon des croisières internationales in La Baie. At each rental outlet, a safe route is recommended to users and safety helmets are provided. Cyclists have the choice of a handcycle, a tandem, a tricycle and a Hippocampe wheelchair.
Horseback riding
Before one can assist a disabled person in recreational, educational or therapeutic horseback riding, several courses are required, and equestrian centres must be accredited by the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA).
Centre d’Équithérapie La Remontée
Chaudière-Appalaches
The mission of the Centre d’Équithérapie La Remontée is to give every visitor with special needs the chance to experience the emotional, mental, physical, psychological and social benefits of horseback riding.
Director: Ms. Hélène Caron
Rock climbing
Accès Grimpe
Accès grimpe is an NPO whose mission is to make indoor and outdoor rock climbing accessible to people with a functional limitation. It organizes regular outings.