The Laurentians (Les Laurentides) are Quebec's most accessible getaway region — a chain of mountain towns, lakes and forests rolling north from Montreal. Within an hour you can be in a lakeside lodge; within 90 minutes, at a full-service ski and spa resort. This guide covers the best towns, where to stay and what to do in the Laurentians, season by season.
Why the Laurentians?
The Laurentians are the closest real wilderness to Montreal. Highway 15 runs straight up the valley, putting towns like Saint-Sauveur, Val-David and Sainte-Agathe within a short drive. The region mixes French-Canadian village charm with serious outdoors — skiing, canoeing, cycling and hiking — and a deep spa-and-lodge tradition.
Key Towns and Areas
Saint-Sauveur
The southern gateway to the Laurentians, Saint-Sauveur is a lively village of boutiques, restaurants and a family ski hill. It's the closest town to Montreal and the easiest for a one-night escape.
Val-David and the Valley of Arts
A quieter, artsy hub in the heart of the Laurentians, known for its crafts, cafés and trail networks. A good base for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Sainte-Agathe and the Lakes
Sainte-Agathe sits on Lac des Sables and is the region's lakeside centre — swimming and boating in summer, ice fishing and snowshoeing in winter.
Mont-Tremblant
The crown of the Laurentians. Mont-Tremblant is a full-service resort with a European-style pedestrian village, skiing, a casino, golf and a lake. It deserves its own guide — see our Mont-Tremblant vacations page.
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Where to Stay
The Laurentians have the widest range of lodging in rural Quebec: lakeside lodges, spa resorts, cabin rentals and family inns. For cabin stays, see our best cabins in Quebec guide; for the resort end, browse hotels in Mont-Tremblant. If you're basing in the city, Montreal is an easy day-trip origin — see where to stay in Montreal.
Things to Do by Season
- Winter: Downhill skiing at Tremblant and Saint-Sauveur, cross-country skiing at Val-David, snowshoeing, and spa weekends.
- Summer: Swimming and boating on the lakes, cycling the P'tit Train du Nord rail trail, and hiking.
- Fall: Peak Quebec colour — the Laurentians are one of the province's best fall destinations. See best fall getaways in Quebec.
- Spring: Maple sugar shacks (cabanes à sucre) and quiet trails before the summer crowds.
How to Plan Your Trip
Most Laurentians getaways are drive-yourself from Montreal (1–1.5 hours). For a single weekend, pick one town as a base; for a longer trip, drive the valley and stop in two or three. For more ideas from the city, see our best weekend getaways from Montreal, or for the broader province, the best places to visit in Quebec. For a different Quebec region, see our Eastern Townships escapes guide.