Closer to home

The advantage of cross-country skiing is that it can be practiced anywhere with sufficient snow cover. Don’t have time to leave the city? You can just as easily enjoy winter while staying close to home. And don’t be shy to bring your skis near to a local park, which you can do as often as you like.

Cross-country ski trails for all levels

Parc Jarry’s 2.1 km trail is the perfect place for families and beginners. Speaking of first experiences, the Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation and its short distance courses is ideal for beginners. Bonus: beautiful views of the Rivière des Prairies.

 Parc Maisonneuve features a peaceful cross-country ski trail that’s just right for those who want to perfect their technique. Parc La Fontaineoffers two trails with a total length of 3.9 km, running through the western portion of the park and the parc Jeanne-Mance offers one trail with a length of 1.3 km.Parc Angrignon offers 10.5 km of wooded trails with a view overlooking the frozen pond.

At parc Jean-Drapeau, space for beginner skiers is provided at Espace 67 (on Île Sainte-Hélène). A second 5.4 km trail is located on Île Notre-Dame.

Nature bursting with life, even in winter

Access to the outdoor gardens of the Jardin botanique is free. These are great places for bird watching while skiing. 

At the eastern tip of the island, those who like wildlife will find the the Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies exciting. The park features 11 km of trails, and if you’re lucky you might spot a white-tailed deer. The 14 km of marked trails at Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques are perfectly suited to family outings. It offers magnificent water views. Along the way, children and adults alike can observe the tracks left by the various animals that call the park home. The Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse  is very popular for its 10 km of trails for classic cross-country skiing and its 3 km for skating.

Discovering the river and its hidden corners

Spanning Lachine, LaSalle and Verdun, the 22.8 km of cross-country ski trails that make up the  Grand Sud-Ouest offer spectacular views of the frozen river.

Art lovers are awestruck by Parc René-Lévesque, a true open-air museum. Wander its 4 km of trails while admiring contemporary sculptures created by renowned artists.

For a lunar atmosphere, head to the marked trails at Parc Frédéric-Back. Flat and almost devoid of trees, this park offers a vast landscape sheltered from the city lights, which makes it one of the best places in Montréal to observe the night sky.

Giving it all you have

Montréal’s iconic Parc du Mont-Royal has the advantage of offering a significant slope. The park’s 22 km of marked trails give intermediate cross-country skiers a chance to test their limits. Do you work downtown? Take advantage of the nearness of the mountain to surpass yourself on its trails. 

Do you thrive on challenges? Some parks offer specially groomed trails for skate skiing. Put your cardio to the test by visiting one of four parks that offer this service: Angrignon (2.8 km), Mont-Royal (around 4 km), Maisonneuve (2.7 km), Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse (Camille area loop).

Cross-country ski lessons and initiation clinic

Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Jean-Drapeau offer cross-country skiing lessons and clinics. Don’t miss the opportunity to perfect your technique or to learn this sport. 

Equipment rental and loan

Cross-country skis can be rented at most nature parks and at the Parc du Mont-Royal.

The parcs-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies, de l’Île-de-la-Visitation and du Cap-Saint-Jacques offer sled rentals adapted for cross-country skiing.

Cross-country skis are available free of charge to all at  Parc Frédéric-Back, on Saturdays and Sundays only, as well as throughout spring break.