New cross-country trail

It’s well known, the Mont-Tremblant National Park is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, and the administrators of the Wildlife Reserve know it. So they decided to open a new cross-country trail to make Les Chutes-Croches, one of the most beautiful views of the park, accessible in winter.

The new 13.4-km trail forms a loop in a north-south axis, with the Chutes-Croches located midway. With some gentle six-degree slopes, it was designed to make the experience enjoyable for both beginners and experts. Indeed, despite the lack of challenge, even the most experienced cross-country skiers feel contented. Montrealer Golda Wachowski, who is used to difficult trails despite her 72 years of age, was charmed by the decor of Les Chutes-Croches loop. "The view of the falls, it’s wonderful,” she said, “and the area is really beautiful, with its trees covered with snow.” She added that she liked the numerous curves along the way.

The new trail is a double path (which will please the skiers who like to chat while skiing), and it’s mechanically maintained. There’s a 10-km section open to skate skiing, starting from the east side of Lac Monroe and finishing at the junction of Le Malard, a more difficult trail. Contrary to Le Malard trail, there is no shelter on Les Chutes-Croches loop trail but skiers can go to La Renardière shelter, just one kilometre away.

There is 60 km of trails in Mont-Tremblant National Park, many of which are reserved exclusively for snowshoeing. The Diable area has an exceptional microclimate so there is always a little more snow there than in surrounding areas. Moreover, the snow in the trails is 100 per cent natural.

Maxime Coursol, journalist