Thirty-six Queensbury High School students and nine Schuylerville students braved the cold from Feb. 6-8 to experience all that a winter in Quebec City has to offer. Led by Queensbury teachers Meghan Chance and Emily Metzger and Schuylerville teacher Kelly McKinley, the students donned their snow gear for three days of dogsledding, snowshoeing and sightseeing. 
Students snowshoed through the forest just south of Quebec City. Students then paired up and learned how to drive a dog sled and took turns mushing through the forest with the dogs. Right down the way from the sledding adventure, the students were introduced to a traditional Cabane a sucre (Sugar Shack), complete with traditional foods, music, dancing, and learning how to play the spoons along with the band. Maple syrup was drizzled on everything, and the owner of the Cabane led a workshop on how to make maple butter.
On day 2 students learned all about Quebec City and its history during a bus and walking tour of the city, especially the old part of the city and Quartier Petit Champlain. Hopping on the bus once more, the group geared up for an afternoon outdoors. The first stop was at Montmorency Falls, a set of three waterfalls north of the city that are taller than Niagara Falls! Then students were off to the Ice Hotel with its beautiful carved sculptures and intricate designs. Some students took a run down the tubing mountain at Village Vacances Valcartier. Finally, the students lined up for a front-row seat to the Winter Carnaval Parade to kick off the festivities.
On the third day, the students hiked up to the Plains of Abraham to learn about the battle between the English and French forces where both Generals Montcalm and Wolf were killed.
The group warmed up by exploring some interactive exhibits focusing on indigenous peoples of Quebec at the Musée de la Civilisation. Then they braved the cold again to slide down the Glissade (toboggan run) at the Dufferin Terrace near the Chateau Frontenac followed by time to shop, eat and explore the Carnaval for the afternoon.
“The students were such a great group to travel with,” Chance said. “Hopefully they have some fun memories to take away from this trip!”
Click here to see photos from the trip to Quebec City.