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There are over a dozen alpine centers and resorts in the area including Mont Tremblant, which is consistantly voted one of the best ski and snowboarding destinations in eastern North America. The central Laurentians between Ste. Adele and Ste. Sauveur have a heavy concentration of hills just a short drive from Montreal. At night the valley is ablaze with the dozens of brightly lite runs.
Recently the skiers and boarders have been joined in thier journey north by snowshoers, dog sledders and more and more often hardy winter campers. You'll also find some tubing and winter slidding centers for the kids, or the kid in you.
Backcountry Skiing and Touring
Mont Tremblant has an extended backcountry trail with heated huts for overnight skiers. Pack in your own supplies along with sleeping and cooking equipment. There is also a designated area for winter camping. Further south you'll find an over night hut available along the Canadian/Fleur de Lye Trails between St. Adolphe du Howard and Ste. Agathe.
If you're looking for a lodge-to-lodge (B&B-to-B&B) excursion you can take advantage of the Laurentains' two rail trails, the P'tit Train du Nord and the Aerobic Corridor. Along either corridor there are dozens of accommodations available. The corridors along with the nterconnecting trails allowing you to put together an outing which caters to any skill level and itinerary.
Mont Tremblant Provincial Park
The Long Randonee
94km, intermediate, linear. This is a beautiful tour particulary when done with a group of friends. There is no better way to see the park in winter. There are four backcountry huts available along the trail, which accommodate 16 to 20 people. The huts are spaced 10 to 20km apart and departures must be early enough to ensure you can reach the next hut before winter's early sundown. If you plan anything other than the loop in the Monroe area you'll need to arrange transportation. This area can experience temperatures of -40 and below. Temperatures can plummet quickly and unexpectedly, ensure that your equipment and skills are up to the challenge and never ski alone. Reservations are required and registration upon arrival is obligatory. For more information have a look at Out-There's Mont Tremblant Provincial Park.
Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve
While not as well know for winter recreation as Mont Tremblant, the reserve has an extensive trail system exceeding 300km. In addition there are 15 shared huts for backcountry skiers. There are two main areas with trails, Mont Bondi in the north and Lac du Sourd Sector in the more central region of the park. The Bondi sector is better suited to intermediates while the Sourd trails tend to be tougher and are better for more advanced skiers. The reserve is a back country area, make sure your skills and equipment are a match for your route and remember it can drop to -40°C in in this area. The reserve is located in the northern region of the Laurentians east of Mont Tremblant. For information, winter access and reservations check out the Sepaq site for La Reserve Faunique Papineau Labelle and make inquiries with the reserve regarding all the detials.
90km, beginner (spurs beginner-expert). A rail trail in summer the pathway cuts through the very heart of the region. While it's is rarely far from a town or village it passes by lakes, stream, rivers field and forest. The trial hasn't much in the way of a grade, making it perfect for those new to the sport. If you want more of a challenge there are dozens of spurs which are more demanding and connect you into the regions vast trail system. If you're looking for an extented outing you can choose from a wide variety of accomodations from grande hotels, to a warm and comfortable auberge or a small intimate B&B. St. Jerome to Mont Tremblant (Winter). All the trails access points are located north of Montreal off highways 15 and 117. Have a look a Out-There's P'tit Train du Nord for details.
Beginner-intermediate (spurs beginner-expert). Another of the regions rail trails, it follows through a less developed part of the region. The trial is accessible to all skill levels, for the more advance skier there are many connections to the Laurentians broader network of trails. The trail is being extended to connect to the P'tit Train du Nord at St. Sauveur in the south and Mont Tremblant in the north. The northern section currently allows snow mobiles, check with the trail organization to find out the current status of this section. There are a number of access points to the trial with the main access in the south in Morin Heights. Take the 15 (or 13 to the 640 then the 15) north from Montreal to exit 60 at St. Sauveur. Head west along the 329 and turn light at the lights into Morin Heights. At the first stop sign turn right again to the parking lot. (450) 226-1220, Morin Heights to Lac-des-Seize-Iles (Winter). For more information have a look at Out-There's Aerobic Corridor.
Rouge-Matawin Wildlife Reserve
The reserve is a true wilderness area located along the northern borders of Mont Tremblant Provincial Park. There are numerous areas for backcountry sking which are currently being developed. The reserve has warming huts and you'll find cabins and prospectors tents for rent within its boundaries. The reserve is a back country area, make sure your skills and equipment are a match for your route and remember it can drop to -40°C in in this area. The reserve is located in the northern region of the Laurentians east of Mont Tremblant. For information, winter access and reservations check out the Sepaq site for La Reserve Faunique Rouge Matawin and make inquiries with the reserve regarding all the detials.
Beginner-intermediate (spurs beginner-expert). Another of the regions rail trails, it follows through a less developed part of the region. The trial is accessible to all skill levels, for the more advance skier there are many connections to the Laurentians broader network of trails. The trail is being extended to connect to the P'tit Train du Nord at St. Sauveur in the south and Mont Tremblant in the north. The northern section currently allows snow mobiles, check with the trail organization to find out the current status of this section. There are a number of access points to the trial with the main access in the south in Morin Heights. Take the 15 (or 13 to the 640 then the 15) north from Montreal to exit 60 at St. Sauveur. Head west along the 329 and turn left at the lights into Morin Heights. At the first stop sign turn left to the parking lot. (450) 226-1220, Morin Heights to Lac-des-Seize-Iles (Winter). For more information have a look at Out-There's Aerobic Corridor.
90km, beginner (spurs beginner-expert). A rail trail in summer the pathway cuts through the very heart of the region. While it's is rarely far from a town or village it passes by lakes, stream, rivers field and forest. The trial hasn't much in the way of a grade, making it perfect for those new to the sport. If you want more of a challenge there are dozens of spurs which are more demanding and connect you into the regions vast trail system. If you're looking for an extented outing you can choose from a wide variety of accomodations from grande hotels, to a warm and comfortable auberge or a small intimate B&B. All the trails access points are located north of Montreal off highways 15 and 117. Have a look a Out-There's P'tit Train du Nord for details. St. Jerome to Mont Tremblant (Winter).
Morin Heights
30km classic, beginner-expert, waxing room, chalet, fee. The area has an extensive trail system including one of the main access points for the Aerobic Corridor and over 50km of ungroomed trails. Take the 15 (or 13 to the 640 then the 15) north from Montreal to exit 60 at St. Sauveur. Head west along the 329 and turn left at the lights into Morin Heights. At the first stop sign turn left to the parking lot.
Mont Tremblant/St Jovite
125km, beginner-extreme, rentals, waxing room, instruction, fee. The trails streach from Mont Tremblant Resort to the village of Mont Tremblant and the the town of St. Jovite. Ranging from the very easy resort to villag e pathway to the extremely demanding trials coming off the mountain there's somethign here for everyone. The trials also connect to the P'tite Train du Nord at several points allowing you to make the system a part of an extended tour. For more information have a look at Out-There's Mont Tremblant Resort.
Val David/Far Hills (Val Morin)
130+km, beginner-expert, waxing room, rentals, chalet. Often referred to as eastern Canada's finest ski area these trails are very well designed, maintained and are fittingly very scenic. You'll find a lot of the Laurentinas earliest ski history revolves around this area with many trials having being used and built by the regions cross country pioneers like Tom Gillespie and Herman "Jack Rabbit" Johannsen. There are two centers with parking, one at Far Hills Inn and the other in the village just south of Route de l'Eglise. The trails intersect the P'tite Train du Nord at three different points allowing you to include them within your ski touring plans. The area has a number of well know resorts and lots of charming B&Bs. Far Hills (819) 322-2014. Val David (819) 322-7042
Mont Tremblant Provincial Park
The park is particulary picturesque in the winter and well worth a visit particulary if you've never seen it with its heavy blanket of snow. There area over 86km of patrolled and groomed trails as well as the Long Randonee Trail which has backcountry huts for overnight skiers. Both the Pimbina section, above Saint-Donat (Lanaudiere Region) and La Daible (Monroe - Laurentians) section northeast of Ste. Joviet have groomed trails and facilities. There are a number of different routes to accomodate different fitness and skill levels. There are warming huts along several of the trails. The park has recently refurbished serveral cabins which can be rented, if your interested make sure you book early.
The Long Randonee, linear, 94km. This is a beautiful tour particulary when done with a group of friends. There is no better way to see the park in winter. There are four backcountry huts available which accomodate 16 to 20 people along the trail. The huts are spaced 10 to 20km apart and departures must be early enough to ensure you can reach the next hut before sundown. If you plan anything other than the loop in the Monroe area you'll need to arrange transportation. Ensure that your equipment and skills are up to the challenge and never ski alone. This area can experience temperatures of -40 and below. Temperatures can plummet quickly and unexpectedly, ensure that your equipment and skills are up to the challenge and never ski alone. Reservations are required and registration upon arrival is obligatory.
The Diable
| Le Bois-Franc | 10.5km | Beginner and Intermediate | ||
| Le Poete | 5.7km | Beginner and Intermediate | ||
| Les Falaises | 9.8km | Beginner and Intermediate | ||
| Le Poisson | 12.0km | Beginner, Intermediate and Expert | ||
| La Perdriole | 3.6km | Beginner |
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| La Biche | 7.9km | Beginner |
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| Le Lievre | 6.5km | Beginner |
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| Le Malard | 17.8km | Beginner and Expert |
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| L'Ours | 16.2km | Beginner and Expert |
Le Pembina
| La Voliere | 1.9km | Beginner |
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| Le Ruisseau | 5.0km | Beginner | ||
| La Detente | 11.8km | Beginner and Expert | ||
| Les Cascades | 12.6km | Beginner, Intermediate and Expert | ||
| La Descente | 10.8km | Beginner and Intermediate |
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| La Cassagne | 17.1km | Beginner, Intermediate |
For more information have a look at Out-There's Mont Tremblant Provincial Park.
Oka has over 50 km of cross-country skiing, both track set and skating. The trails include the Colline du Calvaire (part of which is the mountain biking trail in the summer) which is made up of some really steep climbs along with some wicked down hills, a trial better left to the experts . Intermediate skiers are well served by the Colline de l'Est which takes advantage of the nature trails above the Grande Baie. For the novices, or those that just want to have a relaxing days ski, kick you way through the gentle rolling trails above the beach. These trails wind their way throughout the beautiful oak forests and have seemingly endless side trails to explore. For more information have a look at Out-There's Oka Provincial Park.
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Mont Tremblant Resort - The resort has several designated trails for snowshoeing. Rentals are available on site. Guided adventures can also be arranged including dinner packages and evening tours. Winter Camping, Huts and Cabins
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