The Quebecers we know who grew up in the countryside have an almost supernatural propensity for winter sports – the effect of a childhood spent with field hockey skates on their feet and skis grafted to the tips of their toes.
But, sometimes, born-and-raised Montrealers have escaped this disposition to glide over snow and ice, and to walk with grace when the ground is icy and uneven. And it’s going to be a long winter – you can visit all the galleries in Montreal, but nothing beats a day out sliding and running in -15 degrees Celsius sunshine.
Cross-country skiing sounds more complicated (or less complicated, depending on who you ask) than it is. The trick is to learn – and for that, a course may be all you need.
And if you don’t want to stray too far from a metro station or the center of town – and don’t want to scare off the most hardcore city dwellers – you can do it for free on the Plateau Mont-Royal.
Free cross-country ski lessons all winter long on the Plateau Mont-Royal
Plateau Mont-Royal and Ski de Fond Montréal have teamed up to offer free introductory cross-country skiing lessons all winter long.
Perfect for kids, those who’ve just received an invitation to a weekend at the chalet where winter sports are proto-obligatory, and those who don’t want to admit to their date that they’ve never done any. And for French people whose first winter in Quebec, of course.
Introductory courses start on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and will run until Sunday, March 8 (if there’s still enough snow).
Practical info
Where? In front of the chalet in Parc Lafontaine, on the Plateau Mont-Royal
When? Sunday mornings
Sunday, January 18 – at 9:15 and 11 a.m.
Sunday January 25 – at 9.15am and 11am
Sunday February 1 – at 9.15am and 11am
Sunday February 8 – at 9h15 and 11h
Sunday February 15 – 9h15 and 11h
Sunday February 22 – 9h15 and 11h
Sunday March 1st – at 9h15 and 11h
Sunday March 8 – 9h15 and 11h
How? Free,but you must register – here!
Enjoy the ride!