Ski Hills in the Laurentians
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Laurentian Mountains, Quebec.
The Laurentian Mountains are home to not only abundant history, culture and outdoor adventure, but also an enduring affection for the winter experience. Each year the region embraces the coming of the snow as it heralds the beginning of yet another ski and snowboard season.
Known for their superb, world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities, the Laurentians of Quebec are among the oldest mountains in the world. The range spans an area of 2,200,000 ha (5,400,000 acres) over four regions (Laurentides, Mauricie, Quebec City and Outaoais) and is not far from the provinces largest urban centres of Montreal and Quebec City, meaning the area’s many ski hills and resorts are easily accessible for both residents and international travellers.
LAURENTIDES
Located northwest of Montreal, the Laurentides Region is home to Quebec’s largest protected area, Mont Tremblant National Park, as well as numerous ski hills. Urban centres such as Mont Tremblant, St-Adolphe, Ste-Sauveur, Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carre, Val Morin and Val-David all boast ski hills that range from small beginner hills to outstanding competition-level facilities.
One of the most popular ski resorts in eastern North America, Tremblant has 95 runs over 265 ha (654 acres) as well as a 7-ha (18-acre) terrain park. The premiere ski destination with its incomparable skiing is within reach of anywhere in Montreal in less than two hours, making it easily accessible for both residents and international travellers. Visitors who loathe to leave the area can stay on site in the picturesque mountain village of Mont-Tremblant, located at the base of the mountain. The hill is home to numerous events over the winter, ranging from races and competitions like the TELUS Sikwam to special events such as the 24h Tremblant (24h de ski de Tremblant) and Quebec Ski Fest.
An hour and a half from Montreal in the town of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carre is the year-round destination of Mont Blanc. More affordable than Mont Tremblant, this resort is favoured by many residents from the Montreal area. Mont Blanc is set on the second highest peak in the Laurentian Mountains and caters to more intermediate and advanced skiers with over 40 runs, two gladed areas and a terrain park, as well as ski-in/ski-out accommodations.
Less than an hour from Montreal, ski enthusiasts can find excellent family and night skiing in the town of Ste-Sauveur. Of the three ski hills in this area, Mont Olympia and Mont Habitant offer the best family ski experience. Mont Saint Sauveur, one of Canada's largest night skiing hills, features 38 trails and a terrain park. Just half an hour further into the Laurentian is Belle Neige in the village of Val Morin, and Mont-Alta and Vallee Bleue Centre de Ski in the village of Val-David. These ski hills feature a variety of ski terrain and have runs that are appropriate for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Just across Autoroute 15 (Highway 15) on the shores of Lake St-Joseph is the village of St-Adolphe-d'Howard, which is surrounded by 88 lakes and amazing views of the majestic Laurentian Mountains. Located within the centre of the village is Mont-Avalanche, a ski hill with over a dozen runs and instructors certified by the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance.
MAURICIE
Covered mainly by forests and waterways, the Mauricie Region is situated midway between Montreal and Quebec City. While its two largest cities are Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan, the regions’ ski hills are found in the smaller centers of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Grand-Mere and the remote La Tuque.
Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel is nestled between Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan and the bustling town is a popular location for a variety of other winter activities, as well as alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Mont-Carmel ski hill offers a number of amenities, including 13 runs, a terrain park and a chalet with a fireplace, sofas, cafeteria, dining room, bar and ski shop.
Amalgamated with Shawinigan in 2002, Grand-Mere, is located 30 minutes from Trois-Rivières and is home to the Vallee-du-Parc ski hill. A great ski hill for families, the hill has a cafeteria, ski school and daycare. With a terrain park and 18 trails ranging from green to double black diamond, Vallee-du-Parc features the greatest vertical footage in the Mauricie Region, totalling 168 m (551 ft).
The gateway to upper Mauricie, La Tuque is situated two hours north of Trois-Rivières on Highway 155. A haven for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the city also houses the Centre Municipal de Ski Alpin. The small municipal ski hill features eight out of eleven runs lit for night skiing, as well as a terrain park and over a dozen marked snowshoe trails. After an evening of skiing, visitors can relax in the ski lodge and enjoy the on-site restaurant and lounge.
QUEBEC CITY AREA
Both residents and visitors of Quebec City make use each winter of the region’s two nearby world-class ski resorts, Stoneham Mountain Resort in Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury and Mont-Sainte-Anne in Beaupré. Located 45 minutes northeast of Quebec City, Mont-Sainte-Anne plays host to numerous international competitions and boasts an ideal mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs as well as a vertical drop of 625 m (2,050 ft). Of the 66 runs, 17 are set up for night skiing and offer the highest vertical night skiing in Canada. This well-rounded ski resort is also home to three diverse terrain parks, over 300 km (186 mi) of cross-country ski trails, 48 km (30 mi) of snowshoe trails and four ski lodges.
Known for being the largest night skiing resort in the country with 73 lit ha (180 acres), Stoneham Mountain Resort is ideally situated less than 30 minutes north of Quebec City. The resort spans three mountains and boasts four terrain parks and nearly 40 runs. Visitors wishing to stay at the resort will also find plenty of dining and lodging on the hill.
OUTAOUAIS
Located between the Laurentides region and Ontario, the Outaoais region is a winter playground that offers plenty of skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. An hour from Ottawa, not far from the border of the Laurentides region, is the town of Lac St Marie. The breathtaking mountain town is home to the ski resort Mont Sainte-Marie. Situated on the highest peak in the Outaouais region, the ski hill has 24 runs and a vertical footage of 380 m (1,250 ft).
Known for their superb, world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities, the Laurentians of Quebec are among the oldest mountains in the world. The range spans an area of 2,200,000 ha (5,400,000 acres) over four regions (Laurentides, Mauricie, Quebec City and Outaoais) and is not far from the provinces largest urban centres of Montreal and Quebec City, meaning the area’s many ski hills and resorts are easily accessible for both residents and international travellers.
LAURENTIDES
Located northwest of Montreal, the Laurentides Region is home to Quebec’s largest protected area, Mont Tremblant National Park, as well as numerous ski hills. Urban centres such as Mont Tremblant, St-Adolphe, Ste-Sauveur, Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carre, Val Morin and Val-David all boast ski hills that range from small beginner hills to outstanding competition-level facilities.
One of the most popular ski resorts in eastern North America, Tremblant has 95 runs over 265 ha (654 acres) as well as a 7-ha (18-acre) terrain park. The premiere ski destination with its incomparable skiing is within reach of anywhere in Montreal in less than two hours, making it easily accessible for both residents and international travellers. Visitors who loathe to leave the area can stay on site in the picturesque mountain village of Mont-Tremblant, located at the base of the mountain. The hill is home to numerous events over the winter, ranging from races and competitions like the TELUS Sikwam to special events such as the 24h Tremblant (24h de ski de Tremblant) and Quebec Ski Fest.
An hour and a half from Montreal in the town of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carre is the year-round destination of Mont Blanc. More affordable than Mont Tremblant, this resort is favoured by many residents from the Montreal area. Mont Blanc is set on the second highest peak in the Laurentian Mountains and caters to more intermediate and advanced skiers with over 40 runs, two gladed areas and a terrain park, as well as ski-in/ski-out accommodations.
Less than an hour from Montreal, ski enthusiasts can find excellent family and night skiing in the town of Ste-Sauveur. Of the three ski hills in this area, Mont Olympia and Mont Habitant offer the best family ski experience. Mont Saint Sauveur, one of Canada's largest night skiing hills, features 38 trails and a terrain park. Just half an hour further into the Laurentian is Belle Neige in the village of Val Morin, and Mont-Alta and Vallee Bleue Centre de Ski in the village of Val-David. These ski hills feature a variety of ski terrain and have runs that are appropriate for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Just across Autoroute 15 (Highway 15) on the shores of Lake St-Joseph is the village of St-Adolphe-d'Howard, which is surrounded by 88 lakes and amazing views of the majestic Laurentian Mountains. Located within the centre of the village is Mont-Avalanche, a ski hill with over a dozen runs and instructors certified by the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance.
MAURICIE
Covered mainly by forests and waterways, the Mauricie Region is situated midway between Montreal and Quebec City. While its two largest cities are Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan, the regions’ ski hills are found in the smaller centers of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Grand-Mere and the remote La Tuque.
Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel is nestled between Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan and the bustling town is a popular location for a variety of other winter activities, as well as alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Mont-Carmel ski hill offers a number of amenities, including 13 runs, a terrain park and a chalet with a fireplace, sofas, cafeteria, dining room, bar and ski shop.
Amalgamated with Shawinigan in 2002, Grand-Mere, is located 30 minutes from Trois-Rivières and is home to the Vallee-du-Parc ski hill. A great ski hill for families, the hill has a cafeteria, ski school and daycare. With a terrain park and 18 trails ranging from green to double black diamond, Vallee-du-Parc features the greatest vertical footage in the Mauricie Region, totalling 168 m (551 ft).
The gateway to upper Mauricie, La Tuque is situated two hours north of Trois-Rivières on Highway 155. A haven for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the city also houses the Centre Municipal de Ski Alpin. The small municipal ski hill features eight out of eleven runs lit for night skiing, as well as a terrain park and over a dozen marked snowshoe trails. After an evening of skiing, visitors can relax in the ski lodge and enjoy the on-site restaurant and lounge.
QUEBEC CITY AREA
Both residents and visitors of Quebec City make use each winter of the region’s two nearby world-class ski resorts, Stoneham Mountain Resort in Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury and Mont-Sainte-Anne in Beaupré. Located 45 minutes northeast of Quebec City, Mont-Sainte-Anne plays host to numerous international competitions and boasts an ideal mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs as well as a vertical drop of 625 m (2,050 ft). Of the 66 runs, 17 are set up for night skiing and offer the highest vertical night skiing in Canada. This well-rounded ski resort is also home to three diverse terrain parks, over 300 km (186 mi) of cross-country ski trails, 48 km (30 mi) of snowshoe trails and four ski lodges.
Known for being the largest night skiing resort in the country with 73 lit ha (180 acres), Stoneham Mountain Resort is ideally situated less than 30 minutes north of Quebec City. The resort spans three mountains and boasts four terrain parks and nearly 40 runs. Visitors wishing to stay at the resort will also find plenty of dining and lodging on the hill.
OUTAOUAIS
Located between the Laurentides region and Ontario, the Outaoais region is a winter playground that offers plenty of skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. An hour from Ottawa, not far from the border of the Laurentides region, is the town of Lac St Marie. The breathtaking mountain town is home to the ski resort Mont Sainte-Marie. Situated on the highest peak in the Outaouais region, the ski hill has 24 runs and a vertical footage of 380 m (1,250 ft).
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