What are Quebec mandatory winter tire laws on mountain passes?

In Quebec, winter tires bearing the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) icon are legally mandatory on all passenger vehicles from December 1 to March 15 under the Highway Safety Code. On high-elevation routes like Route 389 (Col Gagnon), Route 299 (Chic-Chocs), and Route 381 (Grands-Jardins), studded tires or tire chains are strongly recommended during winter storms.

What are driving conditions on Route 389 to Fermont (Gagnon Pass)?

Route 389 connects Baie-Comeau to Fermont across 570 km of unpaved and paved northern boreal forest terrain, crossing Col Gagnon (620 m). It features single-lane wooden bridges, heavy iron ore truck traffic, limited fuel stops, and severe winter snowdrifts. Check Québec 511 before travel.

What permits are required for hiking Torngat Mountains passes in Nunavik?

Trekking in Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve on the Quebec / Labrador border requires advance registration with Parks Canada and mandatory Inuit bear guard accompaniment or certified satellite communication gear due to high polar bear density.

Quebec Mountain Passes & Alpine Treks Live Status (Québec 511 / MTMD)

Route 389 · Côte-Nord to Fermont Open

Gagnon Pass (Col Gagnon)

620 m (2,034 ft) · Route 389 North Shore · Baie-Comeau to Fermont

High boreal plateau highway pass on Route 389 crossing former mining town of Gagnon. Key freight link connecting Quebec North Shore to Labrador Iron Ore Trough.

Gagnon Pass road conditions Gagnon Pass open or closed

Route 169 / 155 · Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Open

Taché Pass (Col Taché)

540 m (1,771 ft) · Route 169 / 155 Axis · Laurentian Highlands

High Laurentian pass on Route 169 connecting Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean with Quebec City and the Mauricie region.

Taché Pass road conditions Taché Pass open or closed

Route 381 · Charlevoix Highlands / Grands-Jardins Open

Portneuf Pass (Col de Portneuf)

800 m (2,624 ft) · Route 381 · Baie-Saint-Paul to Saguenay

Mountain pass traversing Parc national des Grands-Jardins in the Charlevoix UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Known for arctic tundra vegetation and steep climbs.

Portneuf Pass road conditions Portneuf Pass open or closed

Route 132 · Gaspésie Gateway Open

Matapédia Valley Mountain Crossings

320 m (1,050 ft) · Route 132 · Amqui to Matapédia & New Brunswick Border

Scenic Appalachian mountain pass valley route linking Bas-Saint-Laurent with the Gaspé Peninsula and Chaleur Bay.

Matapédia Valley road conditions Matapédia Valley mountain crossings

Route 289 / 173 · Notre-Dame & Sutton Ranges Open

Appalachian Mountains Quebec Passes

650 m (2,132 ft) · Eastern Townships & Chaudière-Appalaches

Network of high mountain passes crossing the Notre-Dame and Sutton ranges of the Quebec Appalachians along the US border.

Appalachian Mountains Quebec road conditions Appalachian Mountains Quebec pass conditions

Route 299 · Parc national de la Gaspésie Restricted High Elevation Snow

Chic-Choc Mountains Passes (Route 299)

875 m (2,870 ft) · Route 299 · Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to New Carlisle

High altitude mountain pass highway traversing the Chic-Choc Mountains beneath Mont Jacques-Cartier (1,268 m). Heavy snowfall, winter tire mandate, and avalanche risks.

Chic-Choc Mountains road conditions Chic-Choc Mountains pass conditions

Torngat Mountains National Park · Nunavik Boundary Open

Torngat Mountains Passes & Treks

1,250 m (4,101 ft) · Nunavik / Labrador Arctic Border · Alpine Fjords

High arctic mountain pass wilderness treks in the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve on the Quebec / Labrador border. Polar bear safety guide required.

Torngat Mountains trail conditions Torngat Mountains hiking conditions

Route 125 / 329 · Laurentides Shield Open

Laurentian Mountains Passes (Col de la Montagne Noire)

590 m (1,935 ft) · Route 125 / 329 · Saint-Donat to Mont-Tremblant

High Laurentian Shield pass corridor connecting Saint-Donat with Mont-Tremblant in the high Laurentians north of Montreal.

Laurentian Mountains passes road conditions Quebec winter roads

Pass / Route	Elevation	Highway / Corridor	Region / Range	Status	Authority
Gagnon Pass (Col Gagnon)	620 m (2,034 ft)	Route 389 North Shore	Côte-Nord / Boreal Shield	Open	Québec 511 (MTMD)
Taché Pass (Col Taché)	540 m (1,771 ft)	Route 169 / 155	Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean	Open	Québec 511 (MTMD)
Portneuf Pass	800 m (2,624 ft)	Route 381 Grands-Jardins	Charlevoix Highlands	Open	Québec 511 & SÉPAQ
Matapédia Valley	320 m (1,050 ft)	Route 132	Appalachian Gaspésie Gateway	Open	Québec 511 (MTMD)
Appalachian Passes	650 m (2,132 ft)	Route 289 / 173	Notre-Dame & Sutton Mts	Open	Québec 511 (MTMD)
Chic-Choc Passes (Route 299)	875 m (2,870 ft)	Route 299 Gaspésie	Chic-Choc Mountains	Restricted Snow	Québec 511 & SÉPAQ
Torngat Mountains Passes	1,250 m (4,101 ft)	Arctic Wilderness Trek	Nunavik / Labrador Border	Open	Parks Canada & Avataq
Laurentian Passes	590 m (1,935 ft)	Route 125 / 329	Laurentides Shield	Open	Québec 511 (MTMD)

Quebec Mountain Passes Live Conditions & Road Status

Gagnon Pass (Col Gagnon)

Taché Pass (Col Taché)

Portneuf Pass (Col de Portneuf)

Matapédia Valley Mountain Crossings

Appalachian Mountains Quebec Passes

Chic-Choc Mountains Passes (Route 299)

Torngat Mountains Passes & Treks

Laurentian Mountains Passes (Col de la Montagne Noire)

Quebec Passes & Treks Quick Index

Quebec Mountain Passes: Frequently Asked Questions

Quebec Mountain Passes Live Conditions & Road Status

Gagnon Pass (Col Gagnon)

Taché Pass (Col Taché)

Portneuf Pass (Col de Portneuf)

Matapédia Valley Mountain Crossings

Appalachian Mountains Quebec Passes

Chic-Choc Mountains Passes (Route 299)

Torngat Mountains Passes & Treks

Laurentian Mountains Passes (Col de la Montagne Noire)

Quebec Passes & Treks Quick Index

Quebec Mountain Passes: Frequently Asked Questions

Pass Title