Lou Maxime Massie, 4, pets one of more than 70 dogs at Chiens Traineaux de la Petite-Nation in Quebec. (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Québec has a wild wintery side that many visitors miss. Located just across the Ottawa River from Canada’s capital, the Outaouais region on the western side of Québec is a flurry of fun for families who want to share outdoor adventures beyond the standard ski vacation.

Outaouais (the French name for both the Ottawa native peoples and the Ottawa River) is known as one of the most bilingual areas of this French-speaking province, making it an easy destination for Francophones and English-speakers alike.

Dog-sled at Chiens Traineaux de la Petite-Nation
Kids will brag to school friends for years about their dog-sledding adventure at Chiens Traineaux de la Petite-Nation. Upon arrival, visitors are serenaded by a pack of more than 70 canines, which howl with delight at the prospect of a romp through the snow. Children can sit in a sleigh driven by an experienced musher (kids ages 1 to 5 should sit in an adult rider’s lap, while children 6-plus can sit alone). For a heart-pumping thrill, older kids can even drive their own sleds (age 12 to 14-plus, depending on size and athleticism). Trainer Sébastien Ruiz says, “The dogs don’t want money or anything else. All they want is [for you] to pet them for a good job.”

Tube slide at Edelweiss
Children (and adults!) can't help but scream with a blend of thrill and laughter as they zoom down snowy hills in rubber inner tubes at Edelweiss. A ski lift deposits riders at the top of their choice of six tubing runs (from mellow to more thrilling options). Children should be able to sit in the tubes by themselves (around 3-plus years) but families can link tubes into a sliding train of sorts to descend the hills together. Eighteen downhill skiing trails are also available for wintry pleasure.

Pet wildlife at Parc Oméga
The stated mission of this wildlife park is “to share a bit of paradise and sensitize people to the beauty of nature and animals,” according to Océane Godde, the park's marketing manager. Parc Oméga draws more than 2,000 visitors on an average summer day, but in winter a family can have the park practically to themselves, with only 50 or so individuals entering daily. Purchase bags of carrots at the visitor center to feed the animals before driving through the trails. Keep windows at half-mast to avoid a herd of red deer or elk cramming their heads into your vehicle -- much to the nervous giggles and shrieks of passengers. You can also spot wild boar, buffalo (not to be fed because their humongous bodies can damage cars), and shy reindeer. In large enclosures, you can spy wolves, coyotes, arctic foxes and, if you're lucky, a groggy black bear up to stretch from winter slumber. Park the car to wander along designated walking trails where children can come nose-to-nose with the diminutive and gentle fallow deer.

Snowshoe or cross-country ski at Gatineau Park
Encompassing nearly 90,000 acres of wilderness, Gatineau Park is heaven for nature lovers, with more than 31 miles of maintained snowshoe trails and 124 miles of cross-country ski trails laced with pine, cedar and more than 50 other species of trees. As soon as children can walk steadily (at about age 3), they can explore the park via snowshoes or skis. Yurts, cabins and outdoor winter campsites are available for rent to those wishing to awaken in this real-life snow globe.

Colleen Lanin is the founder/editor of TravelMamas.com, a site for anyone who wants to travel with children … and stay sane!

More stories you might like:

• Romantic getaways -- with the kids
• 10 best presidential sites for kids
• Where to stay in Las Vegas with the kids

The Upper Geyser Basin at sunset in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo., where most wintertime visitors choose to tour by snowcoach or snowmobile.

Snowstorms used to mean long days spent making snow angels and having snowball fights followed by big mugs of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows. Alas, we're not kids anymore. But that doesn't mean we can't still get outside and play. There are lots of grownup winter activities, like, say, leading a pack of sled dogs across the Maine wilderness or snowshoeing over pathways carved back in the Ice Age (when it was considerably chillier). One thing that hasn't changed? That cup of hot cocoa still hits the spot.

Slideshow: The most thrilling wintertime activities 

Compete in your own Winter Games
Lake Placid, N.Y.

Ever watch bobsledders zooming down the track during the Olympics and think, "I could do that"? Well, in Lake Placid, you can. The town has hosted the Winter Games twice (in 1932 and 1980), and now caters to visitors seeking glory. Any reasonably fit person can take a bobsled run (with both a professional driver and a brakeman keeping things safe) at the Olympic Sports Complex. At the nearby Olympic Center, you can pretend you are Apolo Anton Ohno and speed skate around the oval. The center has activities for people of all ages, including a torch run, a snowboarding race and hockey slapshot contests. (518/946-2223, whiteface.com, prices for activities vary.)

Get the best view of the Northern Lights
Fairbanks, Alaska

Thanks to its proximity to the North Pole, and the lack of urban light pollution, this isolated area is one of the best places to take in the aurora borealis. The coloful ribbons of light are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth's atmosphere, and the crystalline skies here, about 360 miles north of Anchorage, come alive (the local university offers forecasts for viewing). If you're looking for some guidance, book a snow-coach tour. The trips depart at 10 p.m. from Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 60 miles from downtown Fairbanks. The staff sets up a heated yurt where you can warm up after viewing the lights while sipping hot beverages. (907/451-8104, chenahotsprings.com/winter-activities, $75 per person.)

Relax with a glass of ice wine
Traverse City, Mich.

There aren't many places in the U.S. with the appropriate conditions to make ice wine (most of it is produced in Germany and Canada). This town, a four-hour dive from Detroit, is graced with panoramic views of Lake Michigan, and the cold air coming off the lakes is perfect for chilling grapes. The wine makers at Chateau Grand Traverse use Riesling grapes that have been left on the vine after the harvest to freeze in the chilly northern Michigan air. The winery offers free tours and tastings of its other wines, and you can also sample wine made from cherries, the area's other bounty. (12239 Center Rd., 800/283-0247, cgtwines.com.)

Ski down untouched trails
Park City, Utah

Park City has three resorts and some of the country's best skiing, but the best way to get off the runs and really experience the countryside is on a Sno-Cat. Small groups of skiers pile into trucks with tracked wheels that can handle the area's diverse terrain and travel to parts of the mountain with "virgin" runs untouched by other skiers. Park City Powder Cats will take you to Thousand Peaks Ranch in the Uinta Mountains for up to 12 runs through quiet bowls and glades. (435/649-6596, pccats.com, from $449 for a day trip.)

Take a sleigh ride in the wilderness
Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Jackson Hole may be a premier ski destination, but a much less publicized highlight of a visit to the town is a sleigh ride at the nearby 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge. From mid-December to early April, visitors can enjoy a horse-drawn ride through the park to see thousands of elk. Guides with Bar T5 will also point out the park's other wildlife, such as eagles and trumpeter swans. (Free shuttle buses depart from the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, 800/772-5386, bart5.com, $18 for adults, $14 for children 5-12.)

Zoom through America's first national park on a snow coach

West Yellowstone, Mont.
Read more: http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/coolest-winter-places-in-america,8281/#ixzz1luz43m8L

Roads at the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park are not plowed in winter. If you want access to this part of the park, populated by bison, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep, you'll need to rent a snowmobile or book a snow-coach tour. Some vehicles come equipped with handlebar warmers and you can even rent cozy layers if you didn't pack enough for the frigid air. The park's abundant animal population doesn't seem to mind the chill. (destinationyellowstone.com/play/snow-coach, from $105 for trips not including park fees.)

Snowshoe the Ice Age trail
Chetek, Wis.

Don't be intimidated: Snowshoeing on Wisconsin's nearly flat Ice Age National Scenic Trail is totally doable. The state's National Scenic Trail encompasses about 620 miles of marked pathways that feature landscapes left behind when glacial ice carved the Earth more than 12,000 years ago. In winter, a section of this trail is open to snowshoers at Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area. Rent your snowshoes from the visitors' center (free, but donations are encouraged) and loop the 6.5-mile trail, studded with frozen mini-lakes and countless 5-foot-tall boulders. (13394 County Hwy M, 888/936-7463, dnr.wi.gov.)

Take the reigns on a dog-sledding tour
Millinocket, Maine

This paper-mill town, a three-hour drive north of Portland, has charm to spare. Among its most popular winter sports is dog sledding, but this isn't just a simple guided ride. Maine Dog Sledding Adventures at Nahmakanta Lake is actually a training program. Here, guests learn how to harness and drive a team of five to six Alaskan huskies. Mush! (207/731-8888, mainedogsledding.com, from $375 for half-day trips for up to four people.)

Cross-country ski by lantern light
Silver City, Mich.

The Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, affectionately known as the Porkies, offer 92 square miles of terrain for cross-country skiing. But you haven't really experienced the beauty of this pristine wilderness until you've traveled the trails by lantern light. Every Saturday through February 2012, a mile path will be lit by kerosene lanterns, with a comfort station at the midway point for a warm-up. (906/885-5275, skitheporkies.com, $30 for ski rental.)

Sled around a high-country hamlet
Silverton, Colo.

Forget cars. In winter, residents of Silverton prefer to get around on kicksleds (essentially chairs placed on 6-foot-long steel runners). The townsfolk are so committed to winter fun that they refrain from plowing after the first bountiful snowfall so that the fresh powder will pack into a perma-crust for smoother sledding. Guests and non-guests can rent sleds (as well as skis, snowshoes, and other equipment) from the Wyman Hotel, and take advantage of the area's average annual snowfall of 150 inches. (1371 Greene St., 970/387-5372, thewyman.com, doubles from $125, kicksled rental $10 for guests and non-guests.)

See freaky ice formations beneath the earth
Lava Beds National Monument, Calif.

Winter temperatures in this part of northern California average in the 40s during the day and the 20s at night. Not chilly enough? Go underground into some of the local caves, where the air hovers at the freezing point year-round. To safely journey into the caves at Lava Beds National Monument, rent a helmet and headlamp from the visitors' center. Then go 100 feet beneath the Earth's surface into the Crystal Ice Cave, where freaky ice formations include a 20-foot-high crystal curtain. (530/667-8113, nps.gov/labe, $10 per vehicle for a seven-day entrance.)

More from Budget Travel

• Nominate the 15 places kids should see before 15
• 5 Caribbean islands to discover now
• 25 dazzling snow scenes
• 15 of America's favorite regional sweets
• 12 elevators you have to see to believe
• The dirty truth about hotel ratings

Winfried Rothermel / AP

People watch the Triberger waterfalls at the Black Forest in Triberg, southern Germany during temperatures far below zero, on Feb. 7, 2012.

Anna Schuermann / EPA

A hiker stands behind icicles as he takes snapshots of a frozen waterfall in Bad Urach, Germany, on Feb. 7. The cold wave sweeping across Europe is expected to bring even more snow and frigid temperatures in the upcoming days.

Martin Schutt / AFP - Getty Images

A car drives through the snowy landscape on the Grosser Inselberg mountain in eastern Germany, on Feb. 6. The deadly cold snap that has gripped Europe for more than a week wrought more havoc across the continent, straining emergency services, grounding flights and pushing the death toll past 200.

Patrick Pleul / EPA

Packed ice floes are seen from the Stadtbruecke Bridge in Frankfurt Oder, Germany, Feb. 7. The drifting ice has come to a standstill along more than 140 kilometers of the Oder River on the border between Germany and Poland.

Christof Stache / AFP - Getty Images

A pedestrian walks between snowy stairways in the Olympic park in Munich, southern Germany, on Feb. 7. Temperatures plunged to new lows in Europe where last two week-long cold snap has now claimed more than 220 lives and forecasters warned that the big freeze would tighten its grip at the next time.

Malte Christians / EPA

Young men play ice hockey on the frozen Outer Alster in Hamburg, Germany, on Feb. 7. The frozen Outer Alster could be used at one's own risk since yesterday. In some places the ice is 18 cm thick.

Uwe Meinhold / AP

Ice crystals hang from a water wheel at the technical museum in Annaberg-Buchholz, eastern Germany, on Feb. 7, 2012.

The extreme weather hitting Europe this winter has caused some surreal and beautiful scenes across the continent. Sadly, the picturesque images of iced-covered towns mask the impact the freezing temperatures have on the people experiencing them. In the Ukraine alone there have been over 130 people confirmed dead, and temperatures as low as minus 22 Fahrenheit are expected to continue for another week. There are now fears of deadly flooding that will follow as the climate warms up.

Related content:

• See more images of the severe winter in Europe on PhotoBlog
• Deadly floods follow in iced-over Europe
• Slideshow: Winter Wildness

Marco Sabadin / AFP - Getty Images

A small boat passes on a canal covered with ice on Monday in Venice, Italy. Temperatures fell to 14 degrees Fahrenheit in Milan on Monday as 59,000 households remained without electricity in Italy and officials declared a gas supply emergency.

Luigi Costantini / AP

A view of the Cannaregio channel, partially iced because of unusually low temperatures, in Venice on Monday. Schools will be closed in Rome on Tuesday, as Italy copes with unusually heavy snow for the Mediterranean country. So far, ten deaths have been linked to winter weather, including two people who were crushed under a collapsed roof south of Rome, and a 91-year-old woman in the northeast port of Trieste who was knocked down by strong winds. In the north, rescuers had to pluck people from their homes, as piles of snow reached 3 meters (10 feet) in some areas. In Milan, Italy's fashion and financial capital, temperatures fell to 10 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, and the authorities opened a section of the city subway to shelter some 100 homeless people.

Manuel Silvestri / Reuters

A boat floats in a frozen lagoon in Venice on Monday. Bitterly cold weather sweeping across Europe claimed more victims on Sunday, brought widespread disruption to transport services, and left thousands without power with warnings that low temperatures would continue into next week.

More images from freezing weather in Europe in PhotoBlog.

Related story: Venice rebels againts cruise ship intrusions

Follow @msnbc_pictures

Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters

Tourists protect themselves with umbrellas from the falling snow in front of Rome's ancient Colosseum on Feb. 3.

Massimo Percossi / EPA

A man cycles through a snow storm in Rome, Italy, on Feb 3. Reports state that the severe cold has killed more than 100 people across Europe, where temperatures have in some areas have plummeted.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

Women walk near the Trevi fountain during snowfalls on Feb. 3 in Rome.

AP reports:

Thick snowflakes fell in Rome on Friday, a rare occurrence for a capital usually blessed by a temperate climate, and other parts of the country experienced frigid temperatures unseen in years.

The snowfall prompted authorities to stop visitors from entering the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, the former home of Rome's ancient emperors.

The last substantial snowfalls in Rome were in 1985 and 1986, though there have been other cases of lighter snow since then, including in 2010.

Read the full story.

See recent photos of the harsh winter Europe is experiencing.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

Scooters and motorbikes are covered with snow as they are parked downtown Rome on Feb. 3. A rare mantle of snow blanketed the historic center of Rome on Friday as temperatures in the Alpine region of Piedmont in northern Italy went as low as minus 22 Fahrenheit.

Tiziana Fabi / AFP - Getty Images

People walk on St Peter's square covered by snow on Feb. 3 at the Vatican. A rare mantle of snow blanketed the historic center of Rome on Friday.

Robert Harding Picture Library Ltd. / Alamy

Salt Lake City is a prime hub for skiing, in part because you can stay downtown and drive a half hour to the slopes.

This winter’s forecast: plenty of snow, and even more travelers fleeing it.

Slideshow: Where the hot spots for winter travel are

That’s the message, at least, in this year’s America’s Favorite Cities survey. Every year, Travel + Leisure readers vote on dozens of qualities in 35 U.S. cities — from the best microbrews and museums to the most pet-friendly vacations.

Last year, Salt Lake City took the gold medal in the winter category, but this year, the snowy Utah city — along with Denver — skidded down the mountain of readers’ affections, while warmer cities took their places, literally, in the sun. Compounding the situation, "The Farmers’ Almanac" is predicting another big-snow winter for parts of the U.S., especially in the Northeast.

“More people appear to be flocking to warmer climates,” confirms Suffolk County, N.Y., travel agent Tim Joseph, who is seeing an uptick in snowbird-style bookings for this winter. “But I suspect it has as much to do with the weather as the economy.” Caribbean destinations, he points out, offer many affordable all-inclusive resorts — and that’s one reason he loves Puerto Rico’s San Juan, a top 5 city in the survey. “It’s also a real foodie city, and it’s still relatively low on the list for many travelers, so it’s not too crowded.”

San Juan may be getting a little more crowded this year, along with classic snowbird destinations such as Miami, Honolulu and Phoenix, which all landed in the top 10. Winter-frigid Anchorage, Minneapolis and Chicago occupied the bottom slots out of the 35.

Yet it’s worth noting that plenty of top 20 cities aren’t beachy paradises. Instead, they have mild winters, seasonal events and often the best prices of the year. Take Houston — which barreled into the top 10 this year — where cooler temps, along with the world’s biggest rodeo championship, make the city come alive.

In other top 20 cities, winter just means having the city to yourself. You’ll find shorter lines at theme parks in Orlando and San Diego, and you’ll have an easier time getting tables at hot restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

“I’m not looking for 90-degree beach weather,” says publicist Sue Jean Chun, who regularly goes to New Orleans during winter — though not for Mardi Gras. “I just want a city where food and music are the focus.”

The Connecticut resident also enjoys another simple winter pleasure in the Crescent City: “being able to walk out the door in jeans and a light sweater,” she says, “rather than a puffy jacket and beat-up boots.”

More articles from Travel + Leisure

• America’s strangest people
• America’s most sports-crazed cities
• See T+L slideshows
• Check out T+L's blog