Montreal is surrounded by ski hills, snowy villages and Christmas markets. Here are the best day trips and weekend getaways from Montreal over the holidays.
Quebec City (about 3 hours)
Quebec City’s German Christmas Market, Old Québec and the Château Frontenac make it the ultimate holiday getaway. Best as an overnight trip. Christmas in Quebec City
Mont-Tremblant (about 1.5 to 2 hours)
A pedestrian village with Christmas lights, holiday activities and one of eastern Canada’s biggest ski mountains. Christmas in Mont-Tremblant
Saint-Sauveur and the Laurentians (about 1 hour)
The closest ski hills to Montreal, a lively main street with shops and restaurants, and the Glissades des Pays-d’en-Haut tubing park in nearby Piedmont, lit up after dark. The Laurentians
The Eastern Townships (about 1 to 1.5 hours)
Rolling hills, ski resorts like Bromont, Orford and Sutton, and pretty villages like North Hatley and Knowlton. The Eastern Townships
Christmas markets near Montreal (under 1 hour)
Longueuil, L’Assomption, Mirabel and Saint-Hyacinthe all hold Christmas markets in November and December. Christmas markets near Montreal
Cut your own Christmas tree (20 minutes to 1 hour)
Ferme Quinn on Île Perrot and Arbres de Noël Hadley in Lachute let you pick and cut your own tree. Where to buy a Christmas tree
Snow tubing (1 to 1.5 hours)
Super Glissades de Saint-Jean-de-Matha in Lanaudière and the Glissades des Pays-d’en-Haut in the Laurentians are two of Quebec’s biggest tubing parks. Sledding and snow tubing
Tips for winter driving
- Winter tires are mandatory in Quebec from December 1 to March 15.
- Check road conditions on Québec 511 before you go.
- Keep a brush, a shovel and windshield washer fluid rated for −40 °C in the car.
