Sherbrooke in February

February weather, activities, events & insider tips

February Weather in Sherbrooke

-3°C (26°F) High Temp

-16°C (3°F) Low Temp

61 mm (2.4 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

Winter Festival season peaks in February with ice sculptures, maple taffy on snow, and authentic Québécois winter celebrations that locals participate in year-round
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing conditions are optimal - 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) consistent base with groomed trails at Mont-Bellevue and Parc du Mont-Orford
Indoor cultural venues operate extended winter hours and offer warming stations, making museum and gallery hopping comfortable with heated underground connections
Hotel rates drop 40-50% from summer peaks, with downtown boutique properties offering winter packages including breakfast and parking for CAD $120-180/night

Considerations

Temperatures regularly feel like -25°C (-13°F) with wind chill, requiring serious winter gear and limiting outdoor activity windows to 2-3 hour segments
Daylight is limited to 9.5 hours (7:15am-4:45pm), restricting outdoor photography and sightseeing time significantly
Ice storms occur 2-3 times per month, making driving hazardous and occasionally closing attractions for 24-48 hours

Best Activities in February

Mont-Bellevue Winter Sports Complex

February offers the season's most reliable snow conditions with 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) base. Cross-country ski trails are professionally groomed daily, and snowshoeing paths wind through sugar maple forests. Equipment rental on-site costs CAD $25-35/day. The warming huts are strategically placed every 2 km (1.2 miles) along trails.

Booking Tip: Reserve equipment 24-48 hours ahead during weekends. Day passes typically cost CAD $15-25. Look for operators offering heated changing facilities and trail maps in English. Check current trail conditions in the booking section below.

Eastern Townships Sugar Shack Tours

February is prime maple syrup season when sap runs are most active. Traditional cabanes à sucre serve hearty Québécois fare - tourtière, baked beans, and fresh maple taffy made on snow. Tours include sleigh rides through working maple groves and explanations of the tapping process in action.

Booking Tip: Book weekend tours 2-3 weeks ahead as locals book family outings. Tours typically run CAD $45-65 per adult including meal and demonstrations. Look for operators offering indoor seating and English-speaking guides. See current sugar shack experiences in booking section below.

Underground City Walking Tours

February weather makes Sherbrooke's network of underground passages and heated pedways essential knowledge. These guided tours connect major hotels, shopping areas, and cultural sites while avoiding brutal wind chill. Tours include stops at local artisan shops and explain the city's winter survival architecture.

Booking Tip: Indoor tours run regardless of weather, making them perfect backup plans during ice storms. Tours cost CAD $20-30 and last 90 minutes with multiple warming stops. Book through operators offering small groups and local historical knowledge. Check available tours in booking section below.

Ice Fishing Experiences on Lac Magog

February provides 60-80 cm (24-31 inches) of safe ice thickness for authentic Québécois ice fishing. Heated ice huts are equipped with augurs, rods, and bait. Catches typically include yellow perch and northern pike. Many operations include hot soup and maple-glazed donuts served in heated shelters.

Booking Tip: Half-day experiences cost CAD $80-120 including equipment and shelter rental. Book with operators providing insulated boots and emergency warmers. Weather-dependent activity with 24-hour cancellation policies. See current ice fishing options in booking section below.

Musée des Beaux-Arts and Cultural Circuit

February's harsh weather makes indoor cultural immersion ideal. The museum circuit includes contemporary Québécois art, regional history exhibits, and rotating winter-themed installations. Connected by heated walkways and offering extended winter hours until 8 PM on weekends.

Booking Tip: Multi-venue passes cost CAD $25-35 and include three major cultural sites. Purchase online for skip-the-line access during weekend rushes. Look for operators offering guided cultural tours with transportation between venues. Check current museum tours in booking section below.

Snowmobile Trail Networks

February offers 250 km (155 miles) of groomed snowmobile trails connecting to Trans-Quebec network. Trails wind through frozen forest landscapes and connect mountain chalets serving hot meals. Guided tours include safety training and equipment fitting for beginners.

Booking Tip: Full-day rentals cost CAD $150-220 including helmet and suit. Book 3-5 days ahead with operators requiring valid driver's licenses and safety briefings. Look for tours including lunch stops at remote chalets. See current snowmobile tours in booking section below.

February Events & Festivals

Early to Mid February

Fête d'Hiver de Sherbrooke

Three-week winter festival featuring ice sculpture competitions, traditional music performances, and maple syrup tastings. Local artisans demonstrate traditional crafts in heated pavilions, and food vendors serve hot tourtière and mulled cider throughout downtown.

Mid February

Carnaval de Magog

Weekend celebration 30 km (18.6 miles) from Sherbrooke featuring dog sled demonstrations, ice canoe races, and traditional Québécois music. Family activities include maple taffy making and snowshoe races for all skill levels.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -30°C (-22°F) with non-slip soles - sidewalks ice over daily and city salt application is limited on side streets

Heavy winter coat with wind protection - wind chill regularly drops felt temperature 10-15°C (18-27°F) below actual air temperature

Thermal underwear layers (merino wool preferred) - essential for any outdoor activities lasting more than 30 minutes

Waterproof gloves plus liner gloves - temperatures require double protection and ability to remove outer layer for photos/phone use

Warm hat covering ears - 40% of body heat lost through head in temperatures below -10°C (14°F)

Face protection (balaclava or scarf) - exposed skin can develop frostbite in under 10 minutes during wind chill events

Sunglasses - snow reflection with UV index 2 still causes glare and eye strain during sunny periods

Hand/foot warmers (disposable) - backup heating for extended outdoor activities like skiing or ice fishing

Lip balm with SPF - dry winter air and cold cause severe chapping within hours of exposure

Small backpack for layers - temperature swings of 15°C (27°F) between indoors and outdoors require constant clothing adjustments

Insider Knowledge

City buses run on reduced winter schedules with 15-20 minute delays common during snow - use the RTC mobile app for real-time tracking and heated bus shelter locations

Local businesses close early (6-7 PM) during severe weather warnings - stock up on supplies before Environment Canada issues alerts which happen 2-3 times monthly

Tim Hortons locations serve as unofficial warming stations for locals - acceptable to linger with small purchases during extreme cold snaps

Pharmacies sell emergency winter supplies (warmers, ice grippers, thermal socks) at 30-40% lower cost than tourist-focused outdoor gear shops downtown

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating wind chill factor - tourists see -5°C (23°F) forecast and dress for that temperature, not realizing it feels like -20°C (-4°F) with 30 km/h (18.6 mph) winds

Booking outdoor activities for full days - locals limit outdoor exposure to 2-3 hour segments with indoor warming breaks to prevent hypothermia and frostbite

Assuming rental cars include winter tires - legally required December-March but not always included in tourist rentals, making some rural attractions inaccessible