Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with kids: 10 places with rentals on site
Snowshoeing is the easiest winter sport to try as a family: if you can walk, you can snowshoe! Cross-country skiing takes a little more practice, but several parks have easy trails. Here are ten places, often free, most of which rent equipment on site.
In short: in Laval, Bois de l'Équerre (snowshoeing, rentals on site) and Bernard-Landry Park (kids' rentals); in Quebec City, Domaine de Maizerets (free access, 11 km of easy cross-country trails); in Mascouche, 17 km of trails at Parc du Grand-Coteau.
Greater Montreal
1. Bois de l'Équerre
Nearly 13 km of forest trails for snowshoeing, with rentals on site, geocaching and kids' activities.
- 49 Rang de l'Équerre, Laval
- See the listing
2. Bernard-Landry Park
Skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding in winter, with equipment rentals for kids.
- 5 Avenue Crochet, Laval
- See the listing
3. Laval Nature Centre
A big free park with cross-country skiing, skating and snow tubing in winter, plus equipment rentals.
- 901 Avenue du Parc, Laval
- See the listing
4. Parc du Grand-Coteau
17 km of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, and an ice trail of about 1 km. The town rents cross-country skis.
- Boulevard de Mascouche, Mascouche
- Free
- See the listing
5. Parc du Domaine Vert
A large forest park with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and sledding.
- 10423 Montée Sainte-Marianne, Mirabel
- See the listing
Quebec City area
6. Domaine de Maizerets
7 km of snowshoe trails and 11 km of easy cross-country trails, a lit ice ring, and ski and snowshoe rentals.
- 2000 Montmorency Boulevard, Quebec City
- Free site access; free parking
- See the listing
7. Pointe-aux-Lièvres
A cross-country trail of about 8.5 km along the Saint-Charles River, with ski rentals, plus the free ice ring and sledding hill.
- 25 Rue de la Pointe-aux-Lièvres, Quebec City
- See the listing
8. Chalet des sports de Shannon
11.5 km of free cross-country trails and snowshoe trails, plus an ice trail in the woods. No ski rentals on site.
- 73 Chemin de Gosford, Shannon
- See the listing
National parks and large parks
9. Mont-Tremblant National Park
55 km of cross-country trails and 26 km of snowshoe trails in the La Diable sector.
- 3824 Chemin du Lac-Supérieur, Lac-Supérieur
- Free for ages 17 and under
- See the listing
10. Gatineau Park
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the big protected forest, with snowshoe rentals at the Chelsea visitor centre.
- 33 Chemin Scott, Chelsea
- See the listing
Our tips
- For a first time, try snowshoeing: no technique to learn, and toddlers can follow in a sled.
- Dress kids in layers: you get warm while moving and cold when you stop.
- Check trail conditions on each park's website before you go: it all depends on the snow.
Frequently asked questions
Where can we snowshoe for free near Montreal?
At Parc du Grand-Coteau in Mascouche, where access is free. At Bois de l'Équerre in Laval, you can rent snowshoes on site.
Where can we rent kids' cross-country skis in Laval?
At Bernard-Landry Park, which rents kids' equipment, and at the Laval Nature Centre.
Where can we go for easy cross-country skiing in Quebec City?
At Domaine de Maizerets (11 km of easy trails) and Pointe-aux-Lièvres (about 8.5 km).
Information checked on October 13, 2026. Snow conditions, prices and hours may change: confirm with each place before you go.
