The Parc du Mont-Royal offers a number of outdoor activities throughout the
year. While honouring the principles of its architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, a
proponent of outdoor recreation, the park has become a place for environmentally
friendly activities that are specially adapted to the site.
The park’s primary partner, Les amis de la montagne, is in
charge of activities at the park. The group offers educational programs about
nature preservation focusing on plants and animals in the park. At La maison
Smith, Les Amis de la Montagne offer reception services, meals at the Café Smith
and a gift shop with postcards, souvenirs and other items themed around the many
fauna and flora to which the mountain is home. Les Amis de la Montagne work to
educate visitors about the importance of protecting and preserving the park,
with a Conservation Patrol in the summertime and public discussion groups all
year long. The group also manages equipment rental services at Pavillon du lac
aux Castors.
Refrigerated skating rink
At the foot of the Pavillon du lac-aux-Castors, a refrigerated skating rink
welcomes visitors who want to enjoy skating during milder winters. The 2,500
square metre rink joins the lac aux Castors lake, part of which is also
converted into a skating rink when temperatures are low enough.
Admission is free and skates and lockers are available for rent.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
Put on your cross-country skis (or rent a pair at Beaver Lake) and head into
nature along a number of relatively easy trails for both beginner and
intermediate skiiers. In some parts of the park, it’s easy to forget the hustle
and bustle of the city at the foot of the mountain.
Other trails are snowshoe-accessible.
Sledding
Children are sure to enjoy inner tubing and taking in the tranquil winter
landscape around Lac aux Castors Lake. This safe and affordable activity offers
hours of fun. Sledding is free if you bring your own sled. Many sledders enjoy
sledding down the slope on Placide Hill on the eastern side of the
park.
Hiking
Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted believed in “enhancing the charm of
natural landscapes.” For him, these landscapes were an antidote to stress and
urban life. Without a doubt, the best way to appreciate them is to walk along
the park’s trails, where you can discover its vast diversity.
You can take the winding Chemin Olmsted for a gentle uphill hike that reveals
glades, forests and rocky areas, or the escarpment trail, which offers stunning
views of downtown Montréal and, when the weather is clear, the river.
A detailed map of the main trails is available at La maison Smith gift
shop.
