How sweet it is! Quebec's maple sugar industry is ready to welcome visitors
Images courtesy of Tourisme Montérégie
Quebec’s tourist trade is reaching out to those with a sweet tooth to get the news out that the sweetest season is now underway. Quebec’s maple sugar industry is ready to welcome visitors, who are able to directly head to the product’s source.
“Sugar shacks are an integral part of Québec’s cultural and culinary traditions, making them a truly authentic experience for visitors,” says Kathy Leclerc of Bonjour Quebec.
The season runs through April. An abundance of maple trees – which aren’t found in most of North America – led to the creation of the sugar shack industry.
Among offerings are such sweet delights as maple taffy, frequently laid out on a snow-covered table for people to enjoy. Sugar shacks, which faithfully open their doors in spring when maple sap is harvested, are now found in 14 of Quebec’s regions, with Leclerc reporting they provide varied experiences.
“Most commercial sugar shacks serve traditional meals along with maple taffy on snow, a beloved seasonal treat. However, not all sugar shacks sell maple products directly. It often depends on the number of maple trees they have for tapping,” she reports. “Meals are typically served indoors, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Springtime in Québec is usually mild and sunny, making it an ideal season to visit.”
Some sugar shacks remain open year-round. “Outside of the sugaring season, they often offer guided tours, interpretation activities, and traditional meals, providing a fascinating glimpse into Québec’s maple heritage,” Leclerc continues.
Québec’s sugar shack tradition is deeply rooted in the province’s history, with Indigenous peoples being the first to harvest and boil maple sap to create syrup. “Their knowledge and techniques laid the foundation for the sugaring practices we see today,” Leclerc adds.
Among sugar shacks ready to welcome visitors are:
- Sucrerie de la montagne: Hearty home-cooked menus are served in a scenic woodland environment at this year-round sugar shack atop Mont Rigaud in the Montérégie region. The signature dinner features sugar-cured country ham, meatball stew, wood-fired baked beans, and a traditional Beauce-region meat pie. Cozy cabins are available on-site for those who want to turn their dining experience into an overnight stay.
- Érablière le Chemin du Roy: Located in St-Augustin-de-Desmaures just 30 minutes outside of Québec City, this family-run sugar shack invites visitors to explore scenic walking trails and snow tubing before tucking into a delicious meal. The all-you-can-eat dinner (served Thursday through Sunday) includes an array of sugar shack favourites like maple sausages, baked beans, crispy pork rinds, and Acadian chiard, all accompanied by live music from local Québécois performers.
- Cabane à Pommes: Labonté de la Pomme’s Apple Shack elevates traditional Québécois cabin fare to deliver a truly gourmet dining experience inspired by the terroir of the Laurentians region. Prepared by chef-owner Sylvain Mercier, the farm-to-table menu showcases in-season ingredients such as apple-wood-smoked sausages and French onion soup with a hint of maple and local Oka cheese gratin. During the sugaring season, visitors can reserve a sit-down experience in the dining room or opt for a more casual picnic and cider pairings from the bistro counter.
- Cabane Panache: Montréal’s Verdun neighbourhood welcomes the annual Cabane Panache festival from March 20 to 23. Promenade Wellington transforms into a lively urban sugar shack camp complete with festive music, lumberjack shows, and tasty food and drinks. Local neighbourhood chefs serve up seasonal small plates ranging from $6 to $8 – think poutine with foie gras or ‘arancini à la tourtière’ with house-made ketchup – while the on-site bar menu features maple-smoked porter and warming whisky cocktails.
