Page 70 - DreamScapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2026

QUÉBEC’S
LAURENTIANS
A vast boreal beauty of recreation and resorts
BY ROCHELLE LASH
north of Montréal, is a near-bound-
The Laurentian region, a 1-hour drive
less territory of boreal beauty and
dramatic contrasts that is well-known
as a ski destination with its international
resort Tremblant.
More than nine million visitors a year
are drawn to four seasons of captivating
experiences: high-octane sports, low-key
luxury, eco-environments and endless
family recreation.
Nature is the backdrop for this amazing
playground—9,000 crystalline lakes and 100
rivers that shimmer through dense forests of
maples and evergreens, all part of an ancient
mountain range.
ROOTS: THEN / NOW
La Route des Belles-Histoires chronicles the
heritage of the pioneers of the late 1800s,
travelling 284 kilometres from Saint-Jérôme
to Mont-Laurier. Fast-forward to the interac-
tive app, BaladoDiscovery, which maps sites
like the Laurentian Ski Museum, Théâtre Le
Patriote, and vintage train stations.
The Linear Park of Le P’tit Train du Nord, a
family-friendly cycling path, parallels La
Route des Belles-Histoires, so you can plan
inn-to-inn tours on two wheels, as well.
TO DO: EASY / EXIGENT
The great outdoors inspires adrenaline-
pumping rafting, kayaking and hiking, as well
as Mont Tremblant’s downhill luge or the
daunting Ziptrek Écotours Tremblant, plus
summer skiing and tubing on the school slope.
On the tamer side, Tremblant’s Tonga
Lumina is a magical 1.5-kilometre after-dark
stroll through the forest—with music for
mood and lights twinkling in the trees. Or
you can opt for a day-time jaunt to the
summit via the Panoramic Gondola.
Another breathtaking vantage point high
over the treetops is the unusual Sentier des
Cimes Laurentides in Mont-Blanc, where a
walking path spirals up and around a
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DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2026
PHOTOS: TOURISME LAURENTIDES