Sugaring-Off Time!

As the days lengthen in April, excitement rises along with the sap in the maple trees. It's sugaring-off time!

Indians showed the first settlers how to collect maple sap and boil it down into a rich, flavourful syrup. This ritual has given birth to a flourishing industry that produces enormous quantities of maple syrup, sugar and taffy every year. In fact, 85% of all Canadian maple products come from Québec.

[La tire sur la neige] You can share in this rite of spring at one of the close to 400 sugar shacks around the province. Most are located near major cities. This is your chance to bask in a festive family atmosphere and savour such traditional Québec delicacies as pork and beans, maple-smoked ham, tourtière (meat pie), omelettes and enough maple-based desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. If you have any room left after the feast (and people always manage to find some somewhere), you can join in making maple taffy outside on the snow.

Later, enjoy some fresh spring air with a ride in a horse-drawn wagon, or take part in the celebrations at the Festival beauceron de l'érable (Beauce maple festival) in Saint-Georges and the Maple Festival in Plessisville.

Sugaring-off is one of Québec's most vibrant traditions. Come join in the fun!