Montréal Feature

If you ski or snowboard but are dedicated to a weekend in the city, you're in luck, because Montréal affords you the opportunity to have the best of both worlds.

Being so close to the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships means that a quick jaunt of an hour or less can put you on the slopes before lunchtime. A slightly longer drive brings you to one of the top ski resorts in the northeast.

In the Eastern Townships, there's Mont Bromont, which has 145 trails over seven different hillsides and Mont Sutton, with stunning views and a charming village. If you want to do some night skiing, your best bet is nearby Mont St-Bruno. A two-hour drive into the Laurentian Mountains brings you to Mont Tremblant, a huge ski area that's good for families or couples.

For those who prefer cross-country, it's not necessary to leave Montréal at all, as Parc du Mont-Royal, right in the center of the city, has countless trails—though they're not all level. However, the area around the Lachine Canal has a few miles of relatively flat trails perfect for novices.