What to do this winter: Outdoor activities in Montreal
From sledding to skating, cross-country skiing to snowshoeing, here are some suggestions for how to make the most of winter in Montréal. Choose from a wide variety of free activities on offer in your neighbourhood and in urban nature.
An outdoor adventure at your doorstep
Looking for a winter outing that is out of the ordinary? Leave your everyday routine behind and enjoy the great outdoors just a few steps from home. Get out your sleds, snow racers, snowshoes, skis and skates, and head to your local parks.
Before going out, check the condition of the skating rinks and toboggan runs.
Find out more about the activities in your borough.
Enjoying the outdoors in the city
No need to stay cooped up at home this winter. A wide range of activities await you in popular green spaces such as Parc Maisonneuve, Parc La Fontaine, Parc Angrignon and Jean-Drapeau which are now blanketed in white. Keep active and breathe in the fresh air!
With their large surface areas, metropolitan parks like Parc du Mont-Royal or Parc Frédéric-Back are ideal for winter sports and a surprisingly urban outdoor experience.
Treat yourself to a cross-country ski outing in the unique setting of Parc Frédéric-Back. This year, a brand-new dry track with a synthetic surface is also available for skiing, even in milder weather.
If you enjoy snowshoeing or would like to give it a try, theme-based guided hikes are organized in Mount Royal Park.
Discover our nature parks
Experience the great outdoors without leaving the city, by visiting Montréal’s nature parks. These larger and wilder spaces are known for their enchanting scenery. Try your hand at hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat biking and other family activities. Relax and let your mind wander in nature parks like Cap-Saint-Jacques, Pointe-aux-Prairies and Ile-de-la-Visitation.
Access to trails and paths is free of charge.
A full slate of activities are offered: storytelling around the fire, multiple guided hikes, try winter biking (fatbike) free of charge, stations for discovering winter sports, presentations, etc.
Consult the calendar of activites (in French).
Rent or borrow equipment
Did you know that you can rent or borrow outdoor equipment at some large parks, neighbourhood parks and libraries?
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Where are the best places to get out and have fun in the wintertime? Subscribe to our French-language newsletter “Quoi faire à Montréal” (“Things to do in Montréal”) to discover your city in new ways. You’ll find free and low-cost activities for all ages.
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