Where to go skiing in and around Montreal

Mont Tremblant is the largest and most fully built-out ski resort in Eastern Canada, operating on a scale that few others in the region attempt. The mountain itself rises to just under 1,000 metres, with a vertical drop that places it among the tallest skiable peaks in southern Quebec. Its terrain is split across four distinct faces, including north- and south-facing slopes that create noticeably different snow conditions depending on weather and time of season.

With over 100 marked trails and an extensive lift network, Tremblant accommodates a wide range of skiers, from first-timers sticking to long groomers to advanced riders seeking steeper pitches and mogul-heavy lines. Snowmaking coverage is comprehensive, making conditions more predictable than at smaller, more weather-dependent hills.

What truly separates Mont Tremblant from other Quebec ski areas is the infrastructure surrounding the mountain. A purpose-built pedestrian village sits at the base, integrating lodging, restaurants, bars, and retail directly into the ski experience. Developed initially in the late 1930s and expanded significantly in the decades since, the resort has evolved into a year-round destination that operates as much like a small alpine town as a ski hill.

Mont Sutton has been operating since 1960, when Réal Boulanger began cutting trails through the Sutton Mountains with a clear idea of what kind of skiing he wanted to encourage: defined less by groomed boulevards than by what happens between them. Roughly half of the terrain is dedicated to glade skiing, with widely spaced trees that reward flow and line choice rather than quick, defensive turns. It’s technical without being claustrophobic, and that balance has become the mountain’s signature.

The ski area sits on the northwestern flank of Round Top, part of the Appalachian chain, with a summit elevation just under 900 metres. Snow conditions are shaped by a local microclimate that often delivers consistent coverage, particularly in the woods. For skiers interested in earning their turns, Mont Sutton also maintains designated uphill touring routes, allowing access to quieter sections of the mountain.

Since changing ownership in 2016, the resort has expanded its four-season offerings—mountain biking, hiking, and zipline attractions—while largely preserving its winter character. Infrastructure upgrades have focused on longevity rather than scale, keeping Sutton closer to its original vision than to a modern mega-resort.

Mont Blanc operates at a different rhythm than its larger Laurentian neighbours. Spread across three interconnected summits, the resort offers 43 runs over a relatively compact footprint, creating a layout that feels legible and easy to navigate rather than sprawling. It’s the second-highest skiable peak in the Laurentians, but the experience skews closer to a traditional regional hill than a destination resort.

The terrain mix leans confidently intermediate-to-advanced, with steeper pitches and narrower trails balanced by approachable beginner zones and clearly defined learning areas. Two snow parks add variety, while extensive snowmaking helps stabilize conditions throughout the season. The lift system is modest but efficient, keeping wait times manageable even on busier weekends.

Mont Blanc has also carved out a role beyond lift-served skiing. Designated alpine touring routes allow uphill access across multiple sectors of the mountain, reflecting a growing interest in hybrid resort/backcountry use. Off the slopes, services remain practical rather than indulgent: ski school, rentals, basic dining, and on-site lodging that supports short stays without turning the base area into a village.

Originally developed in the mid-20th century and expanded gradually over time, Mont Blanc remains grounded in function, prioritizing skiable terrain and access over spectacle.

Sommet Saint-Sauveur occupies a singular place in Quebec’s ski history and present-day ski culture. Located in the Laurentians just north of the village of Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, it’s one of the province’s earliest ski sites and remains one of its most intensively operated. The hill itself is modest in scale, with under 30 runs spread across a compact footprint, but its infrastructure is built for volume and longevity rather than snowfall dependency.

What Saint-Sauveur lacks in natural accumulation, it compensates for with near-total snowmaking coverage and aggressive grooming, allowing the resort to open early and stay open long after many others have closed. The season routinely stretches from late fall into late spring, making it a reference point for reliability in Quebec skiing.

The terrain skews beginner-to-intermediate, with short but consistent pitches designed for repetition and progression. A dense lift network minimizes downtime, and the resort’s lighting system—covering the majority of runs—has made night skiing a defining feature rather than a novelty.

Bromont is a large, multi-face ski resort in the Eastern Townships built across several hillsides of Mont Brome and its neighbouring peaks. Opened in the mid-1960s, it has grown into one of the region’s biggest operations by sheer breadth: well over a hundred marked trails spread across roughly 450 acres, serviced by a substantial lift network and heavy snowmaking. This is a mountain designed for options. Long, gentle groomers exist for mileage and lessons, while steeper fall lines and gladed pockets give stronger skiers somewhere to point their tips when the legs are warm.

What sets Bromont apart operationally is how late it stays alive. It’s widely recognized for its night skiing footprint—one of the most extensive on the continent—turning evening laps into a standard part of the schedule rather than a novelty. Freestyle is also a major pillar here, with multiple snow parks that range from introductory features to more technical lines.

Off-slope infrastructure is practical and well developed, and the resort runs as a four-season destination with warm-weather attractions like a water park and mountain activities. In winter, it functions as a high-capacity, high-flexibility hill: many ways to ski it, many ways to structure a day.

Mont Orford is a ski area defined by vertical and geography. Set within Mont-Orford National Park and operated by SÉPAQ, it’s the only major ski hill in Quebec located entirely inside a protected park, which shapes both how it skis and how it feels. The mountain offers just under 50 marked trails spread across multiple faces, with the largest vertical drop in the Eastern Townships. That elevation translates into long, sustained descents that reward skiers who like to settle into a carve rather than sprint between turns.

The terrain mix leans accessible—more than half the runs are rated easy—but Orford isn’t limited to beginner cruising. Steeper pistes, consistent fall lines, and a well-developed glade network add depth, particularly after fresh snowfall. In total, there are close to 20 marked glade zones ranging from tighter tree skiing to more open lines.

Uphill travel is also well integrated here, with clearly defined touring routes and dedicated passes for those earning their turns. Outside alpine skiing, the surrounding park offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter cycling, making Orford as much a winter hub as a single-discipline resort.

Owl’s Head is a mid-sized ski resort in the Eastern Townships set directly above Lake Memphremagog, with terrain that consistently keeps the landscape in view. Opened in the mid-1960s, the mountain has grown gradually rather than aggressively, resulting in a layout that feels cohesive and unforced. Its roughly 50 trails are spread across a single main face, with pitches that roll naturally from summit to base rather than breaking into disconnected pods.

The terrain mix is broad without being overwhelming. Long cruisers dominate, but there’s enough steeper fall-line skiing, glades, and snow park terrain to keep stronger skiers interested. Alpine touring routes add another layer for those looking to approach the mountain at a slower pace. Lift infrastructure remains modest, which helps preserve a quieter on-hill atmosphere, even on busier weekends.

What defines Owl’s Head most clearly is its setting. The lake below isn’t a backdrop you glimpse once; it’s a constant visual reference that shapes the entire ski experience. Combined with a base area that prioritizes function over spectacle, Owl’s Head operates as a resort where skiing stays central, and the surroundings do much of the talking.

Mont Rigaud is a small, family-oriented ski resort west of Montreal with a long history and a very specific mandate. Since opening in the early 1960s, the mountain has focused less on scale or spectacle and more on accessibility, earning its long-standing reputation as Quebec’s “ski kindergarten.” The terrain is intentionally manageable, with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and select advanced runs designed to encourage progression rather than intimidation.

The ski school is the backbone of the operation. With a large roster of instructors and structured programs for children and adults alike, Mont Rigaud is built around learning in a controlled, supportive environment. Snowmaking across the hill ensures consistent conditions throughout the season, including evening operations, which are treated as a regular extension of the day rather than a secondary offering.

Facilities are clean, functional, and geared toward families spending full days on the mountain. While the vertical and trail count are modest compared to larger resorts, the layout keeps everything close and legible—lifts, learning zones, rentals, and food service all within easy reach.

Located in Tingwick, near Victoriaville in Centre-du-Québec, Mont Gleason is a community-driven ski hill that punches well above its size. With 28 alpine runs, gladed sections, snow parks, mogul runs, and a strong night-skiing offering (75% of the mountain is lit), it’s a compact resort designed around accessibility and ease rather than scale.

What sets Mont Gleason apart is its atmosphere. Operated as a non-profit since 1986, the mountain has retained a distinctly local, family-first character. Its ski school is widely regarded as one of the best places in Quebec to learn, supported by experienced instructors and terrain that allows beginners to progress comfortably without feeling overwhelmed. Snowmaking across the mountain ensures reliable conditions throughout the season, day and evening.

The summit chalet—built in log-cabin style with a central fireplace—is a highlight in itself, offering a warm, unhurried place to regroup between runs. Off the slopes, Gleason also offers alpine touring routes, snowshoe trails, and Le Tube, a dedicated tubing area that makes the mountain appealing to mixed-ability groups and families.

Mount Royal is the beating heart of Montreal. This Quebec heritage site, shaped by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in 1876, offers year-round escapades on its 764-foot “mountain”. Divided across three summits—de la Croix, Westmount Summit, and Tiohtià:ke Otsira’kéhne—this iconic destination weaves history, nature, and recreation into an essential urban experience.

In winter, Mount Royal’s slopes transform into thrilling tobogganing trails, while its meandering paths remain accessible for those eager to hike through snow-dappled forests. Summer is when the park truly shines: Beaver Lake is perfect for barbecues and picnics, while the northern side comes alive with Tam-Tams, a weekly Sunday drum circle near the George-Étienne Cartier Monument that has drawn Montrealers for over four decades.

The park’s trails and lookouts cater to all explorers, from leisurely walkers to intrepid hikers seeking ever-changing city views. And for the more rugged adventurer? Stray from the beaten path to discover hidden plateaus and untouched wilderness—where possible, that is, as caretakers don’t want you trampling anything precious.

Whether you’re sledding, biking, jogging, or soaking in the sweeping vistas, Mount Royal remains an evergreen escape—a green lung breathing life into Montreal year after year.