Snowy expanses as far as the eye can see, forming a magical landscape—a winter setting that fits the Laurentians like a glove. When its mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests are covered in pure white, the region shows another side of its personality. The bracing air, the blazing sun, and the ephemeral beauty of snowflakes swirling in the wind turn it into a veritable winter wonderland. All bundled up, it’s fun to play in the snow, especially when there’s no shortage of winter activities this time of year. Athletes and recreationists can play outside to their hearts’ content. Discover our winter activities to get off the beaten path:
Experience the nightlife of the Laurentian forests
Make the most of the winter darkness by discovering winter sports at night! Several fat biking companies in Mont-Tremblant do exactly this. D-Tour gives guided tours along the Diable River where you can explore nature with a headlamp. Or head to Vélo-Gare Tremblant, where the fat bike offerings combine action and history. Learn local lore from your guide on the nocturnal discovery on snow tour through the pedestrian village, the old town, and the downtown core. What’s more, the Sous la lune au Calvaire on March 7 provides an opportunity to experience a guided snowshoe at night. Rentals are available on site.
Explore the backcountry
Do you sometimes crave time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and see one-of-a-kind landscapes? At Parc régional du Poisson Blanc in Notre-Dame-des-Laus, enjoy a quiet and magical land. On snowshoes, explore the park’s groomed trails to reach incredible viewpoints. You can now also rent Hok skiing equipment to get started with this awesome winter sport that combines skiing and snowshoeing. For its part, Morin-Heights is renowned as the cross-country skiing capital of the Laurentians. In addition to its snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat biking trails, its outdoor network features approximately 20 backcountry trails for Nordic skiers. This winter, take your outdoor fun to the next level by getting off the beaten path!
A real getaway
Avoid big crowds during a stay in the Laurentians. With 87 km of cross-country skiing, the Diable sector in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant is the perfect place to seek refuge in the forest. In addition to several huts where you can warm up, have a snack or lunch, there are several ways to stay the night on the premises, such as winter camping, cottages, and ready-to-camp sites. To encourage visitors to stay in the park for a few days, the cross-country ski trails are free for overnight guests. Further north, Centre de plein air des Six Cantons in Rivière-Rouge provides total nature immersion. Choose from a variety of rustic cottages and huts. For even more adventure, some of these accommodation options are only accessible on skis, snowshoes, or by foot. Keep your eyes peeled for deer tracks and woodpeckers!
Take out your skates to explore the Laurentian forest!
Tired of normal rinks? In Mirabel, Parc régional éducatif Bois de Belle-Rivière is known for its variety of outdoor activities. In addition to discovering its multiple cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, you can skate along lit trails. Nearly 2.5 km of forest ice await! Further north, Parc John-H.-Molson in Saint-Sauveur also features a forest skating path that spans over 1.5 km. For more adventure, the park is open until 9:30 p.m. to give you the chance to explore the circuit using a headlamp. A popular resort town in the Laurentians, continue on to Saint-Sauveur and check out one of several restaurants and pubs to warm up and chat for the perfect après-skate!
This winter, get into alpine hiking
Scale the region’s mountains by discovering a new sport! Avalanche culture plein air Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard offers introductory courses to alpine hiking. Equipment rentals are also available on site. Looking to fine-tune your skills? Festival Rando Alpine Tremblant is scheduled for March 17 and 18 at Tremblant Resort. Check out the programme for new challenges, to hone your skills, and to take part in guided hikes for all levels. If you’re a bit more experienced, Parc régional de la montagne du Diable is home to 55 km of Nordic hiking trails. Reserved exclusively for the sport, the park’s trails are maintained but not tracked, letting you reach several unmatched views of the Baskatong Reservoir, Windigo Falls, and much more! You’ll soon realize that alpine hiking is the perfect way to admire winter landscapes.
Step out of the tracks with skate skiing
Various cross-country ski centres in the region offer skate skiing for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in Saint-Jérôme, Centre de ski de fond Gai-Luron has 5.2 km for you to put your skate skiing skills to the test, out of a total of 27 km of cross-country ski trails. The huts along the trails are the perfect place to warm up and have a snack. Rentals are available on site. To the north, the Wentworth-Nord Trail Network is a huge network of cross-country ski trails. Spanning 15 km, there are lots of places on the trails for you to practice skate skiing, regardless of your level. What are you waiting for? Head out now to discover Laurentians lakes and forests while skate skiing!
For all tourism-related questions: info-tourisme@laurentides.com or call: 450-224-7007 | 1-800-561-6673.