Editor's Choice: A Huge Winter Park Is About To Open Near Montreal, Complete With An Illuminated Slide & DJ
There’s nothing boring about getting a full-body workout while minimizing the impact on your joints and there’s nothing difficult about swooping through fluffy white stuff on a beautiful day.
And while a trip to a luxurious alpine resort can break your bank (and your bones) skinny-skiing is relatively safe and affordable.
This season, with the pandemic continuing to cancel just about everything in town, cross-country skiing is a good way to have socially-distant fun on the slopes with your friends.
And whether you’re a hot dogger or a newbie, Montreal boasts a treasure trove of cross-country ski areas that provide a great way to explore the outdoors.
Jardin botanique de Montréal
Address: 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est
Why You Need To Go: There are three kilometres of cross-country ski trails on the garden's grounds.
Access is free but staff are asking users to keep to the trails to protect plants hidden under the snow.
Website
Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Address: 14905, rue Sherbrooke Est
Why You Need To Go: This vast 261-hectare nature preserve located at the eastern end of the island has 12.4 kilometres of cross-country ski trails that wind their way through woods and marshland, according to the city website.
Website
Parc-nature du Bois-de-L'Île-Bizard
Address: 2115, chemin du Bord-du-Lac
Why You Need To Go: One of the richest and largest parks in the city, Parc-nature du Bois-de-L’Île-Bizard is "an ideal destination to observe fauna and flora in an urban environment," according to the city.
It also has a seven-kilometre cross-country ski path and trails for both hiking and snowshoeing.
Website
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Address: 1, circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Why You Need To Go: In a special effort to turn the park into a winter wonderland this year, two cross-country ski trails have been set up: one at Espace 67 on Île Sainte-Hélène and a second five-kilometre trail on Île Notre-Dame.
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Parc Jarry
Address: 205, rue Gary-Carter
Why You Need To Go: Parc Jarry has a 2.1-kilometre trail that is perfect for learning how to ski safely and smartly.
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Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse
Address: 3555, rue Douglas-B.-Floreani
Why You Need To Go: Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse offers 16.6 kilometres of cross-country ski trails through an enchanted forest.
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Parc Maisonneuve
Address: 4365, rue Sherbrooke Est
Why You Need To Go: Located in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium, Parc Maisonneuve boasts 12 kilometres of cross-country ski trail across mostly flat terrain.
Website
Parc La Fontaine
Address: 3819, avenue Calixa-Lavallée
Why You Need To Go: Parc La Fontaine offers two cross-country ski trails, extending 3.9 kilometres in total, according to the city's website.
Equipment can be rented at the park's chalet from "mid-January."
Website
Parc du Mont-Royal
Address: 1260, chemin Remembrance
Why You Need To Go: Mount Royal boasts 22 kilometres of groomed trails from the tams to the cross for you to rip on.
Equipment rental reservations are available online.
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Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
