Laurentians weekend getaway from Montreal: the perfect 2 days

The Laurentians (Les Laurentides in French) are Montreal’s weekend escape — the mountain region that begins roughly 60 kilometres north of the city and extends for another 200 kilometres of forest, lakes, ski resorts and villages. For visitors staying in Montreal for more than a few days, a Laurentians weekend is the single best way to see Quebec beyond the urban edge, and it’s practical enough that you can leave Friday evening and be back Sunday night without feeling rushed.

This guide covers the classic 2-day route, the seasonal adjustments that make each time of year different, where to stay, and how to build a weekend that fits your interests — whether that’s skiing, hiking, food, or simply sitting on a lake dock.

The classic Laurentians weekend

Most first-time weekend trips base themselves in one of three spots: Mont-Tremblant (the resort experience), Sainte-Adèle or Val-David (villages with character), or a lakeside inn (unplugged). Each has a different flavour.

Here’s a 2-day itinerary that samples the best of all three.

Friday evening: Montreal → Sainte-Adèle (80 km, 1 hr)

Leave Montreal after work (aim to be on the road by 5pm). Head north on Autoroute 15 — the route becomes scenic after Saint-Jérôme. Arrive Sainte-Adèle for dinner at Le Saint-Sauveur or La Table des Gourmets. Overnight in a village B&B or a small inn near Lac Rond.

Saturday: Sainte-Adèle → Val-David → Mont-Tremblant

Morning (9am–noon): quiet start in Sainte-Adèle. Walk the boardwalk around Lac Rond; breakfast at Chez Milot or a café on rue Valiquette. If you’re here in winter, a morning of cross-country skiing at Parc du Mont-Loup-Garou is perfect.

Midday (12pm–2pm): drive 20 minutes north to Val-David. This is the Laurentians’ artisan village — a cluster of pottery studios, galleries, a famous artisan market in summer, and restaurants that punch above their weight. Lunch at Le Baril Roulant (microbrewery and comfort food) or, if it’s running, at the weekly market.

Afternoon (2pm–5pm): continue to Mont-Tremblant (45 minutes). En route, stop at the P’tit Train du Nord linear park — the 232-km rail-trail-turned-cycling path runs through Val-David and Saint-Faustin. If you’re cycling, rent at Val-David and cycle the 20 km north segment to Saint-Faustin.

Evening (5pm onward): arrive Mont-Tremblant resort village. The pedestrianised village is set at the base of the ski mountain — colourful buildings, pedestrian streets, lots of restaurants. Dinner at La Forge, Microbrasserie La Diable, or Le Shack. Walk the village or take the gondola up for sunset views (operates summer + fall weekends).

Overnight at Fairmont Tremblant, Hôtel Quintessence, or more modest condos in the village.

Sunday: Mont-Tremblant mountain + return

Morning: the mountain experience. In winter, this is ski day. In summer, hike the mountain (the Sommet Express gondola runs up to 875 m; network of easy to moderate hiking trails descend back to the village). In fall, the gondola operates weekends through early October for foliage views.

Midday: lunch at the village, or at the summit Chalet des Voyageurs.

Afternoon: slower pace. Options:

• Lakeside relaxation: Lac Supérieur, 20 minutes from the village, has quiet beaches and calm water.
• Cultural: the village’s gallery scene.
• Nature: Parc national du Mont-Tremblant — 1,500 km² of wilderness, the park’s Diable sector (near Lac Monroe) has easy lakeside trails and a beach.

Start the drive back to Montreal by 3-4pm. Dinner en route at Saint-Sauveur (Bistro à Champlain) if you want one last stop; otherwise direct to Montreal, arriving by 7pm.

Seasonal adjustments

Winter weekend (December–March)

• Skiing dominates. Mont-Tremblant is the marquee destination — 102 trails, 660-metre vertical. Saint-Sauveur (closer to Montreal) is the quick alternative — night skiing, snow tubing, smaller but convenient.
• Snowshoeing and cross-country in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant or at local village trails.
• Accommodation books earliest; reserve by September for peak season weekends.
• Sugar shack experience in late March (maple syrup season) — see our cabane à sucre guide.

Fall weekend (late September–mid October)

• Foliage peaks in the Laurentians Oct 1-12, with hilltop areas colouring a week earlier than the valleys.
• Mont-Tremblant symphonic festival often in early October.
• Book by August for peak weekends; expect 30-40% premium on hotel rates.
• Classic drive: Route 117 (scenic alternative to Autoroute 15) with frequent foliage stops.

Summer weekend (June–August)

• Lake swimming and paddling — Lac Supérieur, Lac des Sables (near Sainte-Agathe), Lac Monroe in the park.
• Hiking trails at full access, including longer Parc national du Mont-Tremblant backcountry routes.
• Music festivals — the Festi Val-David, the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur.
• Golf — Laurentians have a density of championship golf courses (Le Géant, Le Diable, Le Maître).

Spring weekend (March–May)

• Sugar shack season (mid-March to late April) — a uniquely Quebec experience. Reserve 2-3 weeks ahead.
• Spring skiing at Mont-Tremblant typically runs into mid-April.
• Fewer tourists between sugar shack season end and late spring, but mud and cool weather.

Where to stay by profile

• Romantic couple, upscale: Hôtel Quintessence (Mont-Tremblant, boutique); Auberge Le Baluchon (Mauricie border, spa); Entourage sur-le-Lac (Sainte-Adèle, lakefront).
• Family with kids: Fairmont Tremblant (kids’ programs, pool), Hôtel Club Tremblant (condo-style, lake), Hôtel & Spa Mont-Gabriel.
• Budget-conscious: Auberge de jeunesse de Mont-Tremblant (hostel); Chalets Jardins Tremblant (condo share); Airbnb abundant in Val-David.
• Design-forward: Hôtel UNIK Tremblant (boutique); Flocon Noir (small design inn near Mont-Blanc).

Getting there and around

Driving from Montreal: Autoroute 15 north (becomes Route 117 after Sainte-Agathe). Allow 1 hr to Sainte-Adèle, 1.5 hrs to Mont-Tremblant. Rental cars plentiful in Montreal.

Bus: Galland Bus runs direct Montreal–Mont-Tremblant routes several times daily (2-2.5 hrs, $50-$65 one-way).

Shuttle: in winter, Skyport Tremblant runs ski shuttles from Montreal airport.

No airport convenient to Laurentians; Montreal (YUL) is the arrival point.

Top booking-required experiences

• Mont-Tremblant ski lift tickets (peak weekends may sell out online — book ahead).
• Parc national du Mont-Tremblant camping (Sépaq, book 2-3 months ahead for summer).
• Fairmont Tremblant and Hôtel Quintessence fill early for winter weekends.
• Cabane à sucre experiences (sugar shacks) in late March-April.

Practical tips

• Cell coverage is reliable in villages and resorts but spotty on backcountry trails.
• Gas up in Saint-Jérôme or Sainte-Adèle; stations become sparse past Mont-Tremblant village.
• Language: French is the primary language but nearly all businesses speak English in tourist areas.
• Consider mid-week for 30-40% lower rates and emptier trails if schedules permit.