Winter Activities in Montreal
Discover a winter in Montreal
Winter on Mount Royal: a true Montréal classic
When snow gently blankets the city, Mount Royal becomes the ultimate winter retreat. Just minutes from downtown, Beaver Lake transforms into an iconic outdoor skating rink, nestled in the heart of nature. Skating here, surrounded by snow-covered evergreens, feels serene and almost timeless. Nearby, winding trails invite visitors to try snowshoeing, while the park’s natural slopes are perfect for tobogganing, delighting both families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
For a more urban atmosphere, Esplanade Tranquille offers a lively winter experience with its refrigerated outdoor rink in the heart of downtown, often enhanced by music and light installations—ideal for a spontaneous outing or a festive end to the day.
Getting there:
Taxi from Hôtel Omni Mont-Royal: approximately 10–15 minutes
Nearest metro stations: Mont-Royal (Green Line) for Mount Royal / Saint-Laurent for Esplanade Tranquille
Parc Jean-Drapeau: winter on a grand scale
Crossing the river, Parc Jean-Drapeau reveals a completely different side of Montréal’s winter. Here, space takes center stage: vast snow-covered landscapes, an outdoor skating rink, winter walking trails, and designated sledding areas. The park also offers spectacular views of downtown Montréal, especially striking when snow and ice meet the river. It’s the perfect place to take a deep breath of fresh air and experience winter at a slower, more peaceful pace—far from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Getting there:
Taxi from Hôtel Omni Mont-Royal: 15–20 minutes
Metro station: Jean-Drapeau (Yellow Line)
The Old Port: culture, family fun, and winter magic
Winter gives Montréal’s Old Port an enchanting, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. The cobblestone streets of Old Montréal invite leisurely strolls, blending history with beautiful river views. Families especially enjoy the Montréal Science Centre, with its interactive exhibits and IMAX theatre, while Pointe-à-Callière Museum tells the story of the city at the very site where Montréal was founded. The Museum of Illusions adds a playful and surprising touch, before ending the visit at the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica, where the AURA Experience immerses visitors in a breathtaking blend of light, music, and architecture.
Getting there:
Taxi from Hôtel Omni Mont-Royal: 8–10 minutes
Metro stations: Place-d’Armes or Champ-de-Mars (Orange Line)
Nature museums: travel the world without leaving the city
When the cold becomes more intense, the Espace pour la vie nature museums offer the perfect indoor escape. The Biodôme takes visitors through diverse ecosystems, from lush tropical rainforests to polar regions. Just steps away, the Planétarium invites guests on fascinating journeys through the stars with immersive projections, while the Insectarium reveals the delicate and surprising world of insects through an educational and poetic experience. An ideal winter outing for families or curious minds alike.
Ready for a winter walk? Enjoy free access to the Botanical Garden all winter long.
Getting there:
Taxi from Hôtel Omni Mont-Royal: 12–15 minutes
Metro station: Viau (Green Line)
- Aura: AURA immerses visitors in a dazzling world of light and sound, using the exquisite details of the interior of the church as a canvas to create a three-act multimedia spectacle with light, orchestral music and grandiose architecture.
- La Grande Roue (The Observation Wheel): Enjoy an amazing panorama 60 meters high, four seasons a year, on the largest observation wheel in Canada.
- Lighting of the Jacques Cartier Bridge: This first connected bridge comes alive every night. An iconic landmark during the day, the bridge comes to life at sunset, marks the new day at the stroke of midnight, and goes into sleep mode at daybreak.
- Cité Mémoire: Projected throughout Old Montreal, Cité Mémoire invites you to meet a host of characters inspired by the history of Montreal, with images, words and music. The work appears on the very walls that surround us, the ground on which we walk, the trees that frame our present.
- Bota Bota: Formerly a ferry in the 50’s and a showboat in the 60’s, this unique boat-spa has various facilities with incredible views of the river and the Old Port. With its enchanting ambiance, this floating spa offers a water circuit, body treatments, panoramic terraces, a restaurant, Yoga and Pilates classes.
- Saint Bruno (30 min) – Saint Bruno is the perfect spot for beginners with a 35 km of mechanically groomed trails and a cross country ski school open to everyone.
- Bromont (1 hr, 5 min) – With more than 141 trails and glades on 7 slopes, Bromont it’s the largest lit skiable terrain in North America.
- Saint-Sauveur (1 hr, 5 min) – Saint-Sauveur overlooks a lively valley with a two sided mountain offering night skiing, ski and snowboard lessons and a terrain park.
- Sutton (1 hr, 25 min) – Mont Sutton is ideal for long runs and glade skiing with its defined woods trail and many junctions allowing you to create your own path on every run.
- Mont-Orford (1 hr, 25 min) – Mont-Orford offers 3 hills and 4 mountainsides in the heart of the National Park where you can enjoy 61 trails including 17 glades and alpine touring.
- Owl’s Head (1 hr, 35 min) – Owl’s Head is a well-kept secret in the east, offering 6 lifts and 51 ski slopes to discover.
- Mont Blanc (1 hr, 35 min) – This gem has a total of 41 ski trails, including bunny hills and beginner learning areas. For advanced skiers, Mont Blanc has the region’s second largest peak, the Laurentian.
- Mont-Tremblant (1 hr, 50 min) – One of the most popular ski destinations in Canada, Mont-Tremblant has the convenience of an international airport. For skiing and snowboard, there are 78.9 km of slopes available.