Where to ski and stay in Quebec?
Whether you’re looking for a bustling ski resort or quiet mountain for the kids, Quebec offers exceptional (and afforadble!) skiing for families with European-inspired charm and luxury. The Laurentian Mountains, located in southern Quebec, are one of Canada’s oldest and most stunning mountain ranges, stretching over 600 miles with incredible skiing and charming towns nestled along the base.
We explored three areas in the Laurentians, ranging from the touristy hotspot to a remote hideaway. Here’s our takeaways:
Mont Tremblant.
This premier ski resort has a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere and stunning alpine scenery. Mont Tremblant is the biggest of the three mountains reviewed, offering over 600 acres of skiable terrain with 90 ski trails suitable for all ski levels. If you’re not a skier, there’s still plenty to do including snowshoeing, ice skating, and dog sledding. But what’s most remarkable is the pedestrian village at the base of the mountain that offers endless restaurants, boutiques, and hotels so you never have to leave the resort.
If you want to be in the heart of the action, this is the place for you. With a 6-yr-old skier, crowded mountains can be daunting (for us), so we only visited for the day, explored the pedestrian village, and skied on a smaller mountain (see below). Be sure to try the famous maple taffy at Cabane à Sucre de la Montagne!
2. Saint-Sauveur.
If you’re looking for something in between touristy and off the beaten path, this charming town, located less than an hour from Montreal, is for you. It’s known for it’s picturesque scenery and exceptional skiing at Sommet Saint-Sauveur. With over 40 trails, it offers an extensive range of slopes for everyone from beginners to experts. Beyond skiing, Saint-Sauveur village boasts a vibrant après-ski scene, with cozy cahlets, local eateries, and boutiques, making it an ideal spot for those seeking adventure and relaxation in a beautiful mountain setting.
Disclaimer: We only visited Saint-Sauveur for dinner since it was close to our ski chalet, but if we return to Quebec to ski this will be our destination!
3. Morin Heights.
While most skiers have visited, or at least heard of, Mont Tremblant, Morin Heights is a hidden gem, conveniently situated just south of the popular mountains.
Sommet Morin Heights, located an hour from Montreal, 50 minutes from Mont Tremblant, and 10 minutes from Saint-Sauveur, is one of the five les Sommets ski resorts in Quebec. This “mini Vermont” offers 39 trails and 5 lifts. Since we skied here for 2 days, here’s our more in-depth takeaways:
It’s a very family-friendly mountain with plenty of well groomed and easy trails, but enough blues and blacks for more the more adventurous.
The price is right (or maybe we’re just used to overpriced skiing in the Northeast)! Our family of five skied four hours for a mere $145.
Since the mountain is small, I recommend purchsing a 4-hour pass. We experienced no lines and skied plenty of runs in that length of time.
Despite all the rain leading up to (and during) our stay, the trails were very well maintained and many trails remained open.
The faciliities are not as modern or extensive as Mont Tremblant or Saint-Sauveur, but there’s a lodge and bar at the base of the mountain.
Keep in mind that the town of Morin Heights does not offer much, so you’ll have to travel 10 minutes to the neighboring Saint-Sauveur for a dining and shopping scene.
Where to stay?
If you’re looking for a ski in/out chalet that’s suitable for multiple families, I highly recommed Kicking Horse, a luxurious and modern property managed by Locations du Sommet. Use code FARAMORE to save 20% on your booking, and receive two free 5Breaths water bottles upon check-in.
Here’s what we loved:
Spacious. There’s 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, so plenty of room for 3 families.
Relaxing. The spa is perfect for Après-ski with a hot tub and enclosed fire pit.
Convenient. It’s located right on Sommet Morin Heights, which is quiet, great for families, and super affordable. Caveat: advanced skiers may be able to ski in/out because the trail leads to a black diamond, but we had to walk the road a short distance to the lift.
Tasteful modern elegance. From the bedding to the cookware, it’s evident that the designers paid great attention to detail and no expense was spared. (It was the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in!)
Accessibility. It’s a direct, roughly 6.5hr trip from NY/NJ region with easy boarder crossing.
Location. Within a few miles is a supermarket, ice skating, and the charming village of Saint-Sauveur with dining, shopping, and more skiing options.
We’re always looking for more family-friendly mountains to explore with the kids. Where’s YOUR favorite place to ski with the family?
