If winter is starting to feel long, consider taking up a new sport to help pass the time. As a beginner, skiing can feel like an intimidating activity, but we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most beginner-friendly ski hills near Montreal:
Ski Mont Blanc
Where: 1006, route 117, Mont-Blanc, QC
Mont Blanc is a resort that has ski hills spread across three mountains: Mont Blanc, Mont Faustin, and Mont Blanc Nord. The resort has eight trails for beginner and novice skiers, so even if you are new to the sport, you have a variety of slopes suited to your level.
Mont Blanc also has wider ski runs and areas for slower skiers and snowboarders so you can safely take your time down the hill. Classes are offered for beginners, and practice lifts are at the base of the hill so you can be sure to know what to expect when you take on your first trail.
Sommet Saint-Sauveur
Where: 655, ch. Louis-Dufour, Saint-Sauveur, QC
This massive ski mountain offers guests 43 slopes, nine of which are beginner-level. Their sliding school has a variety of programs and classes open to beginners, claiming to be the best snow school in North America. If you are looking for lessons, you can join a group for 90 minutes for only $74 to get you started.
For one-on-one assistance, packages start at $99. Similar to the other ski hills mentioned, there are areas for slower skiers and snowboarders and a variety of practice areas to find your feet before hitting a slope.
Mont Tremblant
Where: Drive on Montée Ryan until Chemin Duplessis and follow signs for Tremblant Resort
Mont-Tremblant may be the largest ski hill in Quebec, but it also ranks as a great place for beginners. Due to the large number of ski slopes (a whopping 102), new skiers can take their pick of beginner hills and also take advantage of Mont-Tremblant’s extensive ski school and courses.
Mont Tremblant offers weeklong lessons for skiing and snowboarding. There are individual classes, private lessons, and a first-day introductory for those clipping in for the first time. What’s also great about Mont Tremblant is the beautiful ski village and restaurants. If you are a beginner there with friends who are taking on more advanced trails, you can take time to explore the village while waiting for your group to finish their ski day.
Ski Saint-Bruno
Where: 550, rang des Vingt Cinq E, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC
If you live in Montreal, Saint-Bruno is the closest hill to the city, which allows you to head out for a quick trip after work or on the weekends without dedicating a whole day to the slopes.
Saint-Bruno is much smaller than the other ski hills on the list but it still offers an array of training programs and lessons. You can get a relatively inexpensive yearly pass with unlimited access to the slopes, starting at $245.
Bromont Mountain
Where: 150, rue Champlain, Bromont, QC
Bromont is an exceptional ski resort to explore as it has all of the beginner-friendly courses and ski runs to get you started. Beginners can ski throughout the resort and if you are heading there with advanced skiers and snowboarders, they will also have their fill of tougher slopes.
The size of Bromont is a major bonus. It features 141 trails and glades, 104 night skiing slopes and trails all across seven mountainsides. Bromont is not short on amenities as there are tons of restaurants and rest areas.
Mont Rigaud
Where: 321, rue des Erables, Rigaud, QC
Mont Rigaud is another great ski hill for beginners as it features nine easy trails and slopes as well as areas for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. What really sets it apart is its proximity to Montreal. The mountain is located just under an hour from the city.
Centre De Ski De Fonds Gai-Luron
Centre De Ski De Fonds Gai-Luron
Centre De Ski De Fonds Gail Luron
Where: 2164, mnt Sainte-Thérèse, Saint-Jérôme, QC
Another great ski area near Montreal is the Fonds Gai-Luron centre located in Saint-Jérôme. Only an hour from the city, the centre has a vast trail system for those looking to learn to cross-country ski. Cross-country skiing is a great form of exercise as well as more accessible for those with mobility concerns.
Mont Sutton
Where: 671, rue Maple, Sutton, QC
Mount Sutton is another great ski hill for beginners close to Montreal and has high reviews. One of the top comments from skiers is the beautiful narrow trails that highlight the natural scenery around you.
At many points on the trails, it will feel like you are going through a vast forest. 19 out of the 60 ski trails are beginner-friendly and like any large ski resort, there are lots of lodges, rest areas, and amenities for skiers to use.
Ski Chantecler
Where: 432, Chemin Loup Garou, Sainte-Adèle, QC
One of the smaller ski hills on this list, Ski Chantecler is a great place to learn how to ski for a different reason than the others. It is very quiet. Many guests have noted that because it is a smaller hill with fewer attendants, there's much more room to ski and you can take each slope or trail slowly without worrying about getting caught up in a crowd. Like the others, Ski Chantecler does have lessons for new skiers so you can find your feet with confidence.
Ski Montcalm
Where: 3294, rue Park, Rawdon, QC
Ski Montcalm is just over an hour away from Montreal and is a beloved ski hill for beginners as slopes are "short and sweet" allowing newbies to take each slope slowly and safely.
Guests give the instructors high marks noting there are enough on hand to teach in both French and English. The price for lessons is also reasonable, starting at $70 for private sessions. There are 26 slopes, eight of which are suitable for beginners.
Station Belle Neige
Where: 6820 Rte 117, Val-Morin, QC
Station Belle Neige is a great small to medium-sized ski hill just over an hour from Montreal. Skiers can take it slow down the different slopes and there are a lot of beginners and children learning. It's definitely a family-friendly hill!
One thing to note is that if you are going with a group of advanced skiers who want to go down the hills quickly, this might not be the best set of slopes for them.
Station Belle Neige website