Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing (Area code 819)

Canadians have serious winters so they definitely take all of their winter sports seriously. Case in point: the abundant and varied cross-country choices available to visitors to the Tremblant region.

More than 260 km. of cross-country trails are scattered in the region, most of which are found in Parc National du Mont-Tremblant (688-2281; park admittance fee). Trails wind through maple and birch forests and provide views of wildlife and lakes. This vast reserve offers two reception centers, complete with ski and snowshoe rentals and 150 km. of trails, 49 km. of which are marked. Pack a lunch and ski out to one of the heated huts. Choose among trail loops of varying degrees of difficulty and length. If you’re lucky, trail guides will stop by a hut to tell you more about the history and the wildlife of the region. The park also has 17 km. for snowshoeing.

The Centre de Ski de Fond (425-5588) owned by the town, offers a network of more than 100 km. of trails, with 50 km. double-tracked and 12 km. skate-groomed. The undulating trails are known for their magnificent vistas. The majority of these vista vantage points are on diamond and double-diamond trails. The La Diable network has nine trails totaling 49 km. with six heated huts along the way. The Jack Rabbit network has seven trails, 30 km. altogether, with two heated huts. Skis and snowshoes are available for rent, and you can also arrange a trip on marked but ungroomed trails to backcountry bunkhouses.

Choose in-village, inn-to-inn trails in the Mont Tremblant/St. Jovite region, a wilderness trek in the nearby Parc du Mont-Tremblant. Or, experience the longest linear park in North America, the 200-kilometer “Le P’tit Train du Nord,” that runs from St.-Jerome through Mont-Tremblant to Mont-Laurier. St.-Jerome to Ste. Agathe is for cross-country skiing, and Ste. Agathe to Mont-Laurier is for snowmobiling.

Popular choices for the average cross-country skier, who will still get his or her share of magnificent views and occasional sightings of wildlife, include the winding Domaine St. Bernard, the Jack Rabbit and skiing on the Gray Rocks golf course. A portion of Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park is also incorporated into these trails.

Snowshoeing trails on Tremblant’s summit can be accessed from the gondola. A three-hour guided, deer-observation snowshoe tour departs Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from the Activity Centre. Full-day trips also are available. Full Moon Snowshoe Outings are offered once a month by La Source (681-3000, Ext. 46533).