Ten important skateboard spots in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
1. Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Located just outside Quebec City, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is a breathtaking natural spot known for its impressive waterfall, but it also offers an underrated skateboarding area. The skate spot here is a hidden gem, combining natural beauty with urban elements. The area has a few small ledges, rails, and mellow street-style obstacles, making it a great place for beginners and intermediate skaters to practice their skills. The park itself is large and not overly crowded, providing a relaxed atmosphere where skaters can flow through the space while enjoying the surrounding nature.
While the main attraction is the waterfall, the skateboarding area’s peaceful surroundings make it an ideal location to skate while taking in a scenic view of the waterfall. This spot provides a serene contrast to the city’s more urbanized skate spots, making it unique.
2. Place d'Youville
Place d'Youville is one of the best-known skate spots in Quebec City, located near the heart of the Old Port. It's an urban plaza that hosts various street skating obstacles, including smooth ledges, banks, and stairs. The location is perfect for skaters looking for a variety of street features. With its large, open space, it allows skaters to experiment with technical tricks or long, flowing lines across the plaza. The spot tends to attract local skaters, and its central location means it's easy to access from nearby areas, whether by car, bus, or even by foot from the Old City.
What makes Place d'Youville especially great is its accessibility to skaters of all levels. Beginners can practice on the ledges and smaller obstacles, while more experienced skaters can go for big tricks on the stairs or perfect their grinds and slides. The spot also has a good community atmosphere, with skaters often hanging out and supporting each other.
3. Skatepark de Lévis
Just across the river from Quebec City, in Lévis, this park is one of the premier skateparks in the region. Skatepark de Lévis is a large, outdoor park that caters to skaters of all levels. It boasts a smooth concrete layout that includes a bowl, street section, and a variety of ramps, ledges, and rails. The flow of the park allows skaters to easily move between obstacles, and the wide open spaces mean that skaters can gather with friends to practice tricks or even film skate videos.
What makes this skatepark stand out is its sense of community. It’s a popular spot for locals, and there’s always something happening here, from friendly sessions to skate contests. The park is well-maintained and designed to cater to skaters who love both technical tricks and vert skating. Skatepark de Lévis is also equipped with lights, making it a great spot for night skating, offering extended hours for those who want to skate late into the evening.
4. Parc Cartier-Brébeuf
This public park, located in the Saint-Roch neighborhood, offers a great mix of natural beauty and urban skate spots. The park is known for its flat terrain and long, smooth sections that are perfect for cruising, as well as a few ledges and manual pads. It’s a low-key spot, often not crowded, making it ideal for skaters who want to practice technical tricks without the distractions of a busy skatepark. The park also has a nice community vibe, with plenty of room for skaters to practice their lines, grind ledges, or perform flatland tricks.
Parc Cartier-Brébeuf is also close to cafes and restaurants, so it’s a great place to hang out with friends after a skate session. Its combination of quiet spots, street-style elements, and scenic views make it an ideal choice for skaters looking for a relaxed but challenging environment.
5. Place du Vieux-Port
Quebec City’s Vieux-Port (Old Port) area is a vibrant space with a mix of historic charm and modern design. The waterfront area has smooth, open plazas and several small ledges, railings, and concrete spots that are perfect for street skating. The space also has steps and benches, which make it a great place for skaters to experiment with tricks like grinds and slides. The smooth concrete in the area allows for clean slides and technical tricks, making it a favorite spot for those who enjoy urban street skating.
What sets this location apart is the backdrop. Skaters can enjoy their session while overlooking the St. Lawrence River and the iconic Château Frontenac. The picturesque setting makes this spot not just a great place for skateboarding, but also a fantastic location for shooting skate videos or taking photos.
6. Skatepark de Sainte-Foy
Skatepark de Sainte-Foy, located near Laval University, is a large, modern skatepark that offers a wide variety of obstacles for skaters of all skill levels. The park has a street section with rails, ledges, and stairs, as well as a bowl section for skaters who enjoy vert skating. The layout of the park allows for a seamless flow between obstacles, making it easy to string tricks together. The concrete is smooth, and the layout encourages creative lines and technical maneuvers.
The park is well-lit, allowing for evening skating, and its central location near Laval University means it’s easily accessible for students and locals. This park is especially popular among those who enjoy both technical street skating and vert skating, providing something for everyone.
7. Parc Jeanne-d'Arc
Parc Jeanne-d'Arc, located in the Upper Town, is a classic Quebec City neighborhood park that offers a great environment for street skating. The park itself is not specifically designed for skating, but its smooth pavement, benches, and natural ledges make it an ideal location for street skaters. The small set of stairs, curbs, and ledges allow for a variety of tricks, including grinds, slides, and flips. It’s not a heavily trafficked area, so it offers a peaceful spot to skate without the usual distractions.
The advantage of Parc Jeanne-d'Arc is its location near the iconic Old Quebec area, which means skaters can enjoy a skate session in a scenic location and then explore the historic neighborhood. It’s a nice balance between nature and urban features.
8. Place de l'Université-du-Québec
Located near the Université du Québec à Québec (UQTR), this plaza is a popular hangout for students and skaters alike. It offers smooth pavement and several small features like ledges, stairs, and rails that are perfect for street skating. The area is known for its relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to skate with friends or meet new skaters. The layout of the plaza allows for a variety of tricks, from simple grinds to more complex technical combinations.
The proximity to the university also makes it a hub for local skaters who frequent the spot between classes or after school. The low-key environment is perfect for beginners, while more experienced skaters can push their limits with the available obstacles.
9. Parc des Champs-de-Bataille (Battlefields Park)
Known for its historical significance and lush green spaces, Battlefields Park is not just a place for a peaceful walk or a picnic—it’s also a prime location for skating. The park’s broad, paved paths are perfect for cruising, and the flat terrain provides ample space for practicing various street-style tricks. Although the park doesn’t feature built-in obstacles like rails or ramps, the natural surroundings, such as curbs, benches, and stone structures, make it a great place for skaters looking for a more creative experience.
With its stunning views of the Plains of Abraham and historic landmarks, Parc des Champs-de-Bataille offers a perfect mix of outdoor fun and urban exploration. It’s an excellent spot for skaters who prefer an open, less structured environment.
10. Parc de l'Anse-à-Cartier
Parc de l'Anse-à-Cartier is a scenic park located along the St. Lawrence River, featuring a smooth, wide pathway ideal for longboarding or cruising. The park also has a few ledges and other street features scattered throughout. While not as well-known as other skate spots in Quebec City, the peaceful, less-crowded environment makes it an excellent location for skaters seeking a quieter, more intimate skateboarding experience. The view of the river and the surrounding parkland adds an extra layer of charm to the spot.
What sets this park apart is its tranquil atmosphere, making it perfect for solo skaters or small groups of friends who want to escape the busier, more urban spots.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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