Montreal’s Best Sledding Spots

Why fuss with Olympic bobsled or luge when you could be out on the hills yourself, getting your thrills the old-fashioned way? You don’t need goofy outfits, national disappointments and homoerotic seating arrangements to have a good time. Here, Montreal’s best tobogganing runs.

Pointe aux Prairies Nature Park
At the northeastern end of the island lies a 261-hectare park inhabited by 180 species of birds. Fly like an eagle on hills designed specifically for sledding. 14905 Sherbrooke St. E., 514-280-6691, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $4.

Mount Royal
The legendary slope, which faces Parc Avenue, Beaver Lake’s inner tubing, and Café Smith’s hot cocoas make the mountain the city’s most popular sledding spot. 2000 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park, 514-843-8240, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $8 (rental).

Lafontaine Park
Bring your own sled to the tip of the Plateau, where hipsters sled alongside kids and parents. Reward yourself with a post-game poutine at La Banquise. 3933 Parc Lafontaine Ave., 514-872-3948.

Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park
Bridging the West Island borough of Pierrefonds with Montreal’s Town of St. Laurent, the partly hardwood-forested Bois-de-Liesse Park features perfect hills, toboggan and crazy carpet rental, and refreshments of the hot and cold varieties. 3555 Douglas-Bx.-Floreani St., 514-280-6678, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $4.

Ile de la Visitation Nature Park
Guided train tours, the Des Moulins bar, and spectacular views of Des Prairies River are just a few of the reasons this park, which also offers toboggan rentals, is an ideal winter destination. 2425 Gouin Blvd. E., 514-280-6733, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $4.

Image courtesy of Rob Shenk.