Updated October 31, 2022
Montreal is one of the few cities that might arguably be better in the winter than in the summer. One of our favorite cold weather activities is participating in winter sports, and luckily, there are tons of ski resorts near Montreal to explore on a winter weekend getaway. To help you plan the perfect snowy retreat this winter, we’ve compiled this list of 15 fabulous spots to go snowboarding and skiing near Montreal, including several that are perfect for beginners!
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Best Ski Resorts Near Montreal for Beginners
Saint-Bruno
- Distance from Montreal: 15 kilometers (30 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: Not on site, but plenty of hotels in the nearby village, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
- Experience Levels: All levels
As the closest place to go snowboarding and skiing near Montreal, Saint-Bruno is a small gem of a ski resort that’s perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers. On Saint-Bruno’s ski hills, there are just 18 trails across 35 skiable acres, which means it’s a perfect space for first-timers and those learning how to ski or snowboard. All of the trails on Saint-Bruno are made from man-made snow and are lit in the evenings for night skiing, and Montreal locals love it for its close proximity to the city center.
They’ve got a super popular ski school that has over 30,000 students each year. There’s also a terrain park for more experienced skiers and snowboarders. For those looking for a great deal, there are weekly lift ticket special deals that make skiing at Saint Bruno even more affordable.
Smugglers Notch
- Distance from Montreal: 151.4 kilometers (2 hours)
- Accommodations Available: Yes, at Smugglers Notch Resort
- Experience Levels: All levels, focused on being family-friendly
Affectionately nicknamed “Smuggs” by locals, Smugglers Notch is a beautiful, beloved ski resort located in Vermont (USA). Rated #1 Family Friendly Resort by Ski Magazine, Smugglers Notch is a fantastic place to go snowboarding and skiing near Montreal. The resort boasts 3 mountains – Morse Mountain, Madonna Mountain, and Sterling Mountain – interconnected by lifts and trails.
Its 78 trails and 1,000+ acres of skiable terrain make Smugglers Notch a fun and diverse spot for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. For expert skiers, Smugglers Notch has the only triple black diamond trail in the East. While there’s a pretty even mix of trails here in terms of difficulty, we’ve included it as a great ski resort for beginners because it has a supportive, family-friendly vibe that visitors absolutely love. For apres-ski activities, there are heated pools and a few restaurants, as well as several other activities like snowshoeing.
Attitash Resort
- Distance from Montreal: 332 kilometers (3 hours, 30 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: Not on site, but there are local lodging partners within Mount Washington Valley at the base of the mountain
- Experience Levels: All levels
The Mount Washington area is a popular skiing spot in the eastern part of North America, and Attitash Resort is a locally beloved place to go skiing near Montreal and the surrounding areas. With 30% of trails designated as beginner trails, Attitash Mountain is a fantastic place to go skiing solo or with the entire family. There are tons of options for lessons and gear rental there, and there are special discounts on Sundays and for college students during designated times.
With its 68 trails across two mountains, Attitash Peak and Bear Peak, Attitash offers stunning views and trails in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. You can get joint lift tickets to Attitash and nearby Wildcat Mountain, a sister resort. Frequent visitors cite quality customer service, the family-friendly environment, and affordable accommodations nearby as some of the reasons that keep them coming back to Attitash again and again.
Where to Go Snowboarding & Skiing Near Montreal for All Levels
Bromont
- Distance from Montreal: 87.3 kilometers (1 hour)
- Accommodation available? Yes, at one of four affiliated chalets, ski cottages and condos in the village of Bromont
- Experience Levels: All Levels
Montrealers love weekend visits to Bromont because it’s so close to the city. At just a one hour drive from downtown, Bromont is a fantastic spot for snowboarding and skiing near Montreal, and caters to snowboarders and skiers of all levels. At the resort, there are 142 trails across 3 peaks – Mont Spruce, Mont Brome, and Pic du Chevrueil. The conditions are almost always optimal here because they utilize a mixture of natural powder and snowmaking.
Visitors to Bromont enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere and convenience of the resort. With tons of ski trails across all different levels, no skier or snowboarder could get bored here. However, some reviewers do note that some of the trail counts can be misleading since several of the “trails” are quite short. Visit on Tuesday for a discounted deal on lift tickets, and stay in the on-site chalet if you want to treat yourself to a ski-in ski-out getaway!
Sommet Saint-Sauveur
- Distance from Montreal: 80.8 kilometers (1 hour)
- Accommodations Available: Not on site
- Experience Levels: All levels
Part ski resort, part winter family getaway spot, Sommet Saint-Saveur is a smaller day use ski resort that’s located just 1 hour outside of Montreal. There are just 5 ski hills with 40 trails, and there are tons of schools, lessons, and rentals available for complete beginners. The resort offers package deals for beginners, and has a special terrain-based learning area to teach. There’s a pretty even spread of trails from beginner-friendly to advanced across 142 acres of terrain.
Mont Sutton
- Distance from Montreal: 109.9 kilometers (1.5 hours)
- Accommodations Available: Not on site, but offers “ski and stay” packages with several nearby hotels
- Experience Levels: All levels
Boasting beautiful views and tree-lined ski areas, Mont Sutton is a fantastic place for skiing and snowboarding near Montreal. Boasting 60 trails with over 200 junctions, Mont Sutton offers a unique “choose your own adventure” type of approach for skiers and snowboarders. Trails are pretty evenly spread between beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert-level.
On site, there is a ski school with three all-inclusive packages, perfect for first-timers or beginners. In fact, in 2016, Mont Sutton’s snow school was praised by the ADDQ for the commitment of the Snow School to new skiers and for its all-inclusive packages. Locals love Mont Sutton because it’s an affordable, no-frills, uncomplicated place to relax and enjoy the slopes for a day.
Mont Orford
- Distance from Montreal: 121.8 kilometers (1 hour, 15 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: Not on site, but there are many “ski and stay” packages available with partner hotels nearby
- Experience Levels: All levels, focused towards families and experienced skiers
At less than 1.5 hours from Montreal, Mont Orford is a fantastic option for those seeking one of the less crowded and smaller Montreal ski resorts. With 44 trails across 3 peaks, there’s a lot of variety in trail difficulty and terrain in this resort. Experienced skiers will enjoy the narrow corridors between the open trails. There’s also cross-country/Nordic skiing available on site.
Beginners will find a ski school and rentals available on site, and can ski in the glades at Boisé. Skiers and snowboarders enjoy going to Mont Orford because it is typically less crowded than other resorts. They also cited enclosed gondolas and views as some of the other great things about the resort.
Owl’s Head
- Distance from Montreal: 138.3 kilometers (1.5 hours)
- Experience Levels: All levels
A home away from home for adventure lovers, Owl’s Head is a ski resort that is deeply rooted in a love of the outdoors. Opened 50 years ago by a couple who wanted to share their love of the slopes, Owl’s Head is just 1.5 hours from Montreal. Here, you can find 50 trails across 100 acres of skiable terrain, with many trails bordering the picturesque Lake Momphremagog. There’s an even mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails here, perfect for all levels of skiers.
If you’re on a budget, Owl’s Head has great specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at some of the least expensive rates we’ve seen. They have both an introductory ski school and a confidence ski school (for those who know how but haven’t skied in a few years). Visitors really love the views of the lake and the supportive, family-friendly nature of the resort.
Mont Tremblant
- Distance from Montreal: 136.4 kilometers (1.5 hours)
- Accommodations Available: Yes, at the Mont Tremblant Resort
- Experience Levels: All levels, but most trails are intermediate to difficult
As one of the largest and most renowned ski resorts in Canada, Mont Tremblant has an expansive 755 skiable acres, with 102 distinct trails. Mont Tremblant means “the mountain that trembled” in Algonquin, and it’s easy to see why when you arrive at this breathtakingly beautiful spot in the Laurentian Mountains. Some visitors even call out Mont Tremblant as one of the best places to go skiing in the East, and we’re definitely not surprised.
There’s natural snow and snowmaking on the slopes, making for well-maintained conditions for skiers. While there are plenty of resources for beginner skiers, the resort is beloved by more experienced folks looking for a challenge. Mont Tremblant definitely isn’t the cheapest spot on our list, but if you’re looking for a true adventure at one of the most iconic ski resorts in Canada, Mont Tremblant is one of the best ski resorts near Montreal.
Jay Peak
- Distance from Montreal: 138.2 kilometers (2 hours)
- Accommodations Available: Yes, at Jay Peak Resort
- Experience Levels: All levels
With the most snow in the eastern part of North America, Jay Peak boasts 81 trails across nearly 400 skiable acres. And, at just 3 hours from the city, it’s one of the more accessible ski resorts near Montrela. Within the resort, there are many different parks for different levels:
- Family Cross (mellow runs for the family)
- Rabbit Progression Park (for beginners)
- Jug Handle Park (for intermediate skiers)
- Interstate Park (for advanced athletes)
Across the resort, the majority of trails are intermediate and difficult, but still, about 20% are beginner friendly. The longest trail spans a whopping 3 miles. Off the slopes, the resort includes an ice skating arena, five restaurants and a water park. Because of it’s proximity to Montreal, Jay Peak is a great day trip from the city to hit the slopes.
Whiteface Lake Placid
- Distance from Montreal: 172.1 kilometers (2 hours)
- Accommodation available? Yes
- Experience Levels: All levels, but mostly intermediate to advanced
Most famous for being a host to the 1980 Winter Olympics, Whiteface Lake Placid is a dream destination for skiers, snowboarders, and non-riders alike. Home to 90 trails across three peaks, Lake Placid is one of the most beloved all-levels ski resorts near Montreal. With an expansive ski and snowboard area, a cute resort town, and plenty of lodges and relaxation areas, Whiteface Lake Placid is a world-class ski resort accessible from many major North American cities.
Sustainability is a main value of Whiteface Lake Placid, with 100% of ski guns run on renewable energy. With multiple peaks, there’s a lot of variety in terrain that you can experience as a rider at Whiteface. Most of the beginner-friendly trails are centered toward the bottom of the mountain, while the expert-level slopes begin higher up. There are also over 50 kilometers of Nordic cross-country skiing trails to explore, and there’s an adaptive ski team for people with disabilities that want to ski.
On top of skiing and snowboarding, you can also visit the Olympic Museum or give bobsledding a try!
Stowe Mountain Resort
- Distance from Montreal: 217 kilometers (2.5 hours)
- Accommodation available? Yes, The Lodge at Spruce Peak
- Experience Levels: All levels, mostly intermediate
Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont is a year round destination that we think is best to visit during ski season. Why? Because this beautiful, forested mountain area is one of the most picturesque ski resorts near Montreal, dubbed endearingly as the “ski capital of Vermont.” Not only is Stowe one of the most beloved ski resorts in the Northeast region, it is also accessible from major cities like New York City and Boston. It also happens to be located on the highest peak in Vermont!
With 116 trails across 485 skiable acres, there’s no shortage of adventure at Stowe for any level of experience. Locals and visitors from nearby cities enjoy skiing here because of its smaller crowds, long trails, and friendly atmosphere. There are trails for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers, as well as Nordic/cross-country ski trails.
Cannon Mountain
- Distance from Montreal: 289.4 kilometers (2 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: Not on site
- Experience Levels: All levels, mostly intermediate and difficult
A local favorite for snowboarding and skiing, Cannon Mountain is one of the largest Montreal ski resorts on our list, topping out at 97 trails over 250+ acres. With smaller crowds, a diverse set of trails, and beautiful views, Cannon Mountain caters especially to experienced skiers and snowboarders, with 30 black diamond trails. However, there are plenty of beginner-friendly areas as well. Needless to say, Cannon Mountain is one of the most beloved ski resorts near Montreal.
Many visitors call out Cannon Mountain as their favorite mountain resort in the area. One reviewer mentions that it’s “old school and non-corporate.” People also like that it’s not too crowded, there are incredible weekday ski specials, and that the mountain accommodates more advanced skiers with challenging trails and fast lifts. There are also several terrain park areas for more of a fun challenge. If you want to economize your trip, head to Cannon Mountain on a Tuesday or Thursday for discounted lift tickets.
Killington
- Distance from Montreal: 295.2 kilometers (3 hours)
- Accommodation available? Yes, at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel
- Experience Levels: All levels, mostly intermediate and difficult
As one of the largest places to go skiing and snowboarding near Montreal, there’s a LOT to do and a ton of trails to ride at Killington Resort. Located on the second-highest peak in Vermont, there are 7 different mountain areas making up Killington’s 468 skiable acres. While it’s a bit farther from Montreal than some others on our list, this massive ski resort has fantastic slopes and attractions for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
At Killington, you’ll find 212 trails that include every experience level, from bunny hills to double black diamonds, as well as tons of on-site amenities for when you’re ready to rest from the slopes. For beginners, they’ve got lessons, rentals, and learning areas, as well as active snowmaking in several sections of the park. They also have plenty of attractions on-site for when you’re not skiing or snowboarding, too.
Mont-Saint-Anne
- Distance from Montreal: 298.4 kilometers (3 hours)
- Accommodations Available: Yes, in one of the nearby chalets
- Experience Levels: All levels, mostly intermediate
Best paired with a trip to Quebec City (just 30 minutes away), a visit to Mont-Saint-Anne is a fantastic winter getaway for any level of skier. With a total of 71 trails (19 available for night skiing), you can snowboard or ski from the early mornings until the late evenings here.
There’s a wide mixture of trails, evenly spread from beginner to expert. Generally, the beginner trails are concentrated towards the base of the mountain, while others are more spread out. In the resort, there’s also a snow park called La Grand Allee that has 20 obstacles for all levels, as well as areas for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Le Massif
- Distance from Montreal: 350.6 kilometers (3 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodations Available: Yes, there is a wide variety of accommodation available at the resort
- Experience Levels: All levels
Le Massif is one of the most beloved ski resorts near Montreal because it is more remote and immersed in nature than some of the other, more accessible resorts. It has 53 well-groomed trails across 300 acres of land, the majority of which are suitable for intermediate experience levels and above. It’s one of only a handful of spots on the eastern side of Canada that has trails rated triple black diamond, and caters to experienced skiers and snowboarders with a variety of terrain.
While the ratings may make it seem infeasible for beginners, there’s actually plenty that less experienced riders can do. There’s a snow school and an entire beginner ski area where less seasoned riders can practice and learn new skills. Also, aside from skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and sledding in the winter as well. Visitors especially like Le Massif because of its picturesque trails bordering the St. Lawrence River, the charming, European feel of the resort, and the diversity of the trails on site.
Additional Resources
What to Pack
- Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
- Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
- Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
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