Route 175 Laurentides Road Conditions

Cross the Laurentides Reserve on Route 175 — know the pass conditions before you climb out of Quebec City. This guide introduces seasonal risks along the Route 175 corridor. Open your route in TripCaptain to check the forecast, compare departure times and follow changes as you travel.

Winter Driving Pattern

Route 175 climbs from about 100 m (328 ft) at Quebec City to roughly 850 m (2,789 ft) as it crosses the Réserve faunique des Laurentides, and the weather at the top rarely matches the city you left. The reserve is one of the province's snowiest corridors, with seasonal snowfall that often passes 600 cm (nearly 20 ft), and heavy snow can keep falling on the climb long after Quebec City has cleared. Blowing snow turns the open, elevated stretches into whiteouts, dropping visibility below 400 m (¼ mile) with little warning. Overnight lows in the reserve routinely reach around −30 °C (−22 °F), so black ice forms on the grades and shaded curves even when the streets below are bare. Long sections through the reserve are remote and unserviced, which means a closure or a stall leaves few places to stop and little cell coverage. Because conditions can flip between Quebec City and the summit within an hour of driving, the safest departure is the one you pick after checking the reserve's forecast — not the city's — so you know before you leave whether to go now, wait out a squall, or hold until the road is open.

Common Hazards on This Corridor

• Heavy snow through the reserve: The Réserve faunique des Laurentides is one of Quebec's snowiest stretches, with seasonal snowfall that often passes 600 cm (nearly 20 ft). Snow can keep piling up on the climb long after Quebec City has cleared, and the road can narrow to a single packed lane before crews reach it.
• Blowing-snow whiteouts: On the open, elevated sections, wind lifts loose snow and drops visibility below 400 m (¼ mile) in seconds. Check whether the road is open and whether advisories are posted before you enter the reserve — a whiteout inside it leaves nowhere to pull off.
• Black ice on the grades: Long climbs and shaded curves ice over because the reserve stays colder than the city, often near −30 °C (−22 °F) overnight. Ice can hold on the summit stretch even when Quebec City's streets are bare and dry.
• Moose on the road: The reserve is prime moose country, and animals step onto the highway at dawn, dusk, and after dark. A moose stands tall enough to clear your headlights, so slow through the wooded stretches and scan the shoulders, especially in the dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Route 175 safe to drive today or in winter?

Route 175 is a maintained highway and is driven year-round, but the Réserve faunique des Laurentides can be a very different drive from Quebec City on the same day — heavier snow, lower visibility, and ice on the climbs. It's safe when you match your departure to the reserve's conditions rather than the city's, carry winter gear, and turn back if a whiteout sets in. TripCaptain checks your exact route and departure time against the forecast along the corridor, so you can see whether to leave now, wait out a squall, or hold until the road is open.

How often does Route 175 close through the reserve, and why?

Closures happen most winters, usually for whiteouts, heavy snow, or crashes on the remote climbs, and there is no convenient marked detour — the alternative is a long way around. When the highway is shut, the official pass status is what decides when it reopens, so check it before you commit to the reserve rather than turning back partway through.

Do I need winter tires or chains on Route 175?

Yes to winter tires. In Quebec, winter tires are required by law on passenger vehicles from December 1 through March 15, and the reserve is exactly where they earn their keep. Chains aren't standard for passenger cars here, but carry traction aids and recovery gear for the long unserviced stretches, and make sure your tires are in good shape before you climb.

What is the best time of day and year to cross the reserve?

In winter, aim for midday in daylight, after crews have been through and before the afternoon light fades — and avoid dawn, dusk, and overnight, when ice and moose are both worse. After a storm, wait until the road has been cleared rather than leading the pack. Late spring through early fall is the easiest window, though snow can fall in the reserve in almost any month.

How high and how long is Route 175 through the reserve?

Route 175 climbs from about 100 m (328 ft) at Quebec City to roughly 850 m (2,789 ft) as it crosses the reserve. Quebec City to Saguenay is about 200 km (125 mi), with a remote reserve stretch of roughly 130 km (80 mi) where services and cell coverage are sparse — plan fuel or charging and stops around that gap.

What should I carry, and what if I get stranded in the reserve?

Carry warm layers, a blanket, food and water, a fully charged phone, a small shovel, and a full tank or charge before you enter the reserve, and tell someone your route and expected arrival. If you're stranded, stay with your vehicle — it's shelter and it's far easier to spot than a person on foot — run the engine sparingly for heat, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and wait for help rather than walking out across the remote stretch.

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