Parc Regional de la Riviere du Nord

During wintertime, Parc Régional de la Rivière du Nord offers 14.4 km of winter trails, 17.2 km of cross country trails, a mini slope for sledding, and 19.3 km of snowshoeing trails in the forest. During summertime, it offers hiking and cycling trails, and nautical activities.

Why we love this park:

– Nearby Montreal, less than 45 mins drive
– Super nice scenery with the river rapids
– Simple trails, flat terrain, ideal for little hikers and beginners – circular and short trails
– Unique trails such as Sentier des Arts, a short trail with impressive wooden installations, Circuit Historique and Circuit Écologique – short trails with interpretation panels along the path

Petit Train du Nord cycling​​​ trail

Parc Linéaire Le P’tit Train du Nord is a multi-use recreational trail along Rivière du Nord from Saint Jérome to Mont-Laurier. The 232km corridor was originally a railway track which was operated by the Candian Pacific Railway from about 1890 to 1990. Today, Le P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park is used for biking and hiking during summertime and cross-country skiing & snowmobiles (at some parts) during the winter.  The trail is free of charge, offers mechanical bike equipment at designated areas, first aid & mechanical assistance via volunteers along the trail and accessible to beginners.

Clef des Champs Medicinal Garden

Clef des Champs is a beautiful garden (organic certified) with 150 medicinal plants planted on terraces of a mountain in Val-David. Open for only 5 weeks in the summer this garden has great views of the surrounding hills. Learn about the medicinal herbs with informative signs along the path, exploring the health benefits of these plants. Our kids liked the witch garden with toxic plants. We spent about an hour in the garden, including the playground, headed for lunch in Val-David, and continued on a short bicycle ride on the Petit Train du Nord which is located nearby.

Maison Lavande

Maison Lavande is a beautiful lavender field located only 45 minutes from Montreal. This picturesque gem has a high-end provencal look and feel. Come here to relax (even with kids) 🙂 Stroll around the lavender field and enjoy the many relaxing chairs, an elevated viewpoint, a giant swing, a playground, a bistro with lavender ice cream! and a shop with homemade beauty products made from the grown lavender. 

Animalium Par Selenia – Mont Tremblant zoological museum

Animalium Par Selenia museum near Mont-Tremblant is great for rainy days. The indoor zoological museum for families offers a permanent exhibition of stuffed animals from 4 different floras and faunas around the world. Learn and watch from close proximity an impressive 800 species displayed in the museum.

Parc regional de Val David Winter Hike

Parc regional de Val David, located in the Laurentides offers a wonderful family winter hike (available also all year long). This round trail is about 3km. Trail letters are “D” and “C” starting from chalet d’accueil Anne-Piché in Secteur Dufresne Val-David. 

Why do we love this hike:

Beautiful scenery and viewpoints throughout the trail
Special large rocks on the trail
Informative signs along the way
Special tubing hill (part of the park)
Nearby Montreal – under 1h15 drive 
The park allows dogs! Check website for exact rules

Parc regional de Val David winter hike with amazing viewpoints

Parc regional de Val David, located in the Laurentides offers a wonderful family winter hike (available also all year long). This round trail is about 3km. Trail letters are “D” and “C” starting from chalet d’accueil Anne-Piché in Secteur Dufresne Val-David. 

Why do we love this hike:

Beautiful scenery and viewpoints throughout the trail
Special large rocks on the trail
Informative signs along the way
Special tubing hill (part of the park)
Nearby Montreal – under 1h15 drive 
The park allows dogs! Check website for exact rules

Ski Belle Neige

A nice and small ski station, 1 hour away from Montreal, located in the Laurentian mountains with 20 trails, a snow park (for skiers and snowboarders) and a new short special trail for kids, Sentier des toutous, featuring 2000 soft toys along the forest path. The mountain has direct sun most of the day so you can enjoy lots of great luminosity. 

Village du Père Noël Santa Claus Village

A colourful theme park for young kids (designed mainly for 2-8 years old) with lots of activities; tubing (three options), treehouses, inflatables, train ride, slides and houses with different stations. This park is open mainly during the summer and is open briefly during the winter (until Jan 6th, 2019!). Super friendly staff dressed as elves will keep you entertained in each station. 

Verger Lacroix Apple Picking

A great orchard for apple picking is Verger Lacroix. The orchard is known for its apple cider (fire ciders, ice ciders and sparkling cider), which are sold at the large and nice boutique shop at the orchard with other local produce. The orchard is offering about 11 apple types for self-picking, two big playgrounds, hay to jump on, a tractor ride and a mini farm.

À la Croisée des Pommes Organic Apple Picking

Apple season is here! This cool orchard offers organic apple picking, along with picking of organic grapes, pears and plums. Several activities are available on site: playground, picnic area, farmhouse, a pastry shop with homemade produce and a small local store.

Richard Legault Apple Orchard

We saw Richard Legault Apple Orchard on our way to Oka beach. On the way back from a day at the beach, we decided to stop here and we didn’t want to leave the place. The orchard has a variety of 13 different apple types for self-picking, a massive playground and a mini farm where you can feed the animals.

Oka Beach​

Oka National Park has two sectors: the beach (detailed in this post) and Calvaire (a historic site sitting on the high hills of Oka). Oka Beach is located on the north shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes. Why do we like this beach? On the day we visited, although there were so many people, the long beach allowed us to relax and to enjoy the day in a not-too-crowded way. Shallow water is perfect for young kids, sandy beach, two playgrounds, lots of picnic areas and several lifeguard stations along the beach – on the shore and in the water!

Saint Adolphe D’Howard 6km loop trail

Part of the Laurentian Mountains, located between Saint-Sauveur and Mont-Tremblant, Saint – Adolphe D’Howard is the place for snowshoeing and cross country ski, if you are looking for a less crowded place with challenging hills. This place is one of the most organized outdoor space we have visited, in terms of signs along the way. Clear indications every 50 meters showing the trail you’re on and maps, simple junctions with signs how to head back to the starting point. This post is about our winter hike along the snowshoeing trail in the forest, 6km in total.

Sommet Saint Sauveur Ski and The Viking Alpine Roller Coaster

So close to Montreal, Sommet Saint-Sauveur transforms itself during wintertime from a huge summer waterpark to a ski station with an additional alpine roller coaster – The Viking nearby. The ski station is suitable for complete beginners (with magic carpet) to advanced levels, even though the advanced trails are not too steep.

Sommet Morin Heights

Sommet Morin Heights is a ski station located west to Saint-Sauveur. It offers 35 trails, 4 lifts, one magic carpet. We were there one Sunday morning to allow our kids to improve their ski proficiency. It looks like this ski station is known for beginner and intermediate levels as there were many kids lessons taking place during the weekend.

Ski Mont Avila

Sommet Saint Sauveur has 5 ski hills. This post is about Sommet Saint Sauveur – Avila Versant (hillside). This side of the mountain has 13 trails and 3 lifts. We chose this part of the mountain although it does not have the magic carpet (bunny hill is located on a different part of the mountain at Pavillon 70) as there was not enough snow when we visited. The domain is less suitable for complete beginners as the small slope (Babalou) has an open lift where an adult must accommodate young kids. The slope is quite steep. On the right hand side there is a tiny slope to train but it can be challenging without a magic carpet for help. Otherwise the domain is very much equipped, nearby free parking, cafeteria and bistro bar, ski shops and rentals.

Ski Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc is a ski station located in the Laurentian Mountains east of Mont Tremblant. It offers 43 trails, 7 lifts and has the second-highest elevation in the Laurentian Mont Tremblant region. The resort is fully equipped with cafeteria, ski school, daycare and the highlight of the resort, the huge indoor playground for kids (Jungle Magique – check rates online).

Domain Saint Bernard Wheeler Fitness Trail

An excellent way to spend a day in the summer at Domain Saint Bernard. The park is packed with activities. Dip in the clear water and enjoy a canoe/kayak experience on Lake Raynaud. Circle the lake (2km) and exercise along 10 ultra-fun fitness station on the Wheeler Fitness Trail, visit the Birds Garden and watch the sun at the Velan Pavilion Observatory.

Lac des Femmes Loop trail near Mont Tremblant

If you are visiting Mont Tremblant National Park, head for this easy trail. It is about 3km long, loop shape and relaxed walk. Located near Monroe Lake, we were able to spot few animals – two deers, birds and a beaver swimming in the water.