Snowboarding has a reputation for being a cool winter sport since it’s viewed to be more stylish, modern, and aesthetically pleasing than skiing or snowshoeing. Although snowboarding is often thought to be a man’s sport, a new survey shows that women made up 50 percent of all snowboarders in Canada during the 2023-24 winter season. Since the snowboarding industry is trying to engage women and younger generations to get into the sport, initiatives are now being taken to give newbie snowboarders easy and inexpensive access to this snow sport.
Novice snowboarders are recommended to check out the ski resorts in Montreal as they feature beginner-friendly layouts and a supportive learning environment. If you’re a newbie who’s planning to do a bit of shredding this winter, here are the best ski resorts near Montreal for new snowboarders.
Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort
For those who want to practice their moves on their snowboards while having a fun winter getaway, consider booking a stay at the Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort. This year-round resort is situated in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, which is about 90 minutes to two hours away from Montreal. The mountain has 102 ski trails and four slopes for snowboarders and skiers of all levels, and it also has 22 easy trails which are ideal for beginners. If it’s your first time to try snowboarding, consider booking a private lesson to have proper guidance from an expert. Doing so allows you to have priority lift access during lessons, and it also allows you to explore the mountains at your own pace.
A typical Tremblant snowboarding lesson takes about 2.5 hours to a full day, and you can have one-on-one lessons or learn in a group with four other people. If you want to save on costs, think about booking lessons during the off season. This costs about $986 for a whole day, compared to a full day session during peak season, which is priced at around $1,085. Don’t have your own gear yet? Don’t fret. You can rent a complete snowboard package which consists of a snowboard, boots, and a helmet for about $75 per day.
Want to take a break from snowboarding? You’ll be happy to know that there are tons of activities that you can do at Tremblant that don’t involve snow or wearing protective gear. For instance, you can test your luck and play at the casino, or go swimming at the Brind’O Aquaclub, which has four waterslides and over 30 interactive water games. You can also play a round of golf at any of the two championship courses in the resort, or play virtual games at the arcade. Tremblant also offers creative activities like building plushies and ceramic painting, and you can take your creations home as a souvenir of your snowboarding getaway.
Sommet Saint-Saveur
If you’re looking for a snowboarding destination that’s suitable for a family vacation, think about booking a stay at Sommet Saint-Saveur as this ski resort has year-round activities that caters to all ages. Just an hour’s drive away from Montreal, this winter resort has everything that you need to have a fun time with your loved ones. In the summer, you can spend some time at the water park and play in the wave pools, slides, and river. There’s also an amusement park where you can go on rides. Be sure to get on the Viking, which is the only alpine roller coaster in Quebec. Apart from these, your family can go on outdoor adventures as the resort offers log cabins for camping, bike rentals, and zip lines so you can have an unforgettable experience in the Laurentian forest.
Sommet Saint-Saveur is also known for being the ideal place for novice shredders as they have about 800 qualified instructors to guide beginners on their first runs down the slopes. Before leaving for your holiday, it’s recommended to book their snowboarder package online so you skip the hassle of navigating this process when you arrive at the resort. The package includes equipment rental, ski lift tickets, and lessons with an instructor. Prices range from $85 for private 1-hour lessons to $74 per person if you prefer to learn in a group.
Ski Saint-Bruno
Looking for a smaller, low-key ski resort to make your first attempt at snowboarding? Consider Ski Saint-Bruno, which is an underrated destination in Quebec that has 18 trails for skiers and snowboarders. 10 of these trails are for beginners, so you’re bound to run into many snowboarding novices, just like yourself. It has a total of nine lifts to take snowboarders up and down the mountain, and 35 acres of skiable terrain.
This child-friendly resort offers private and group snowboard clinics to perfect your form and technique. Anyone who’s 5 years old and up are allowed to participate in the clinics, and private lessons cost $525 for six, one-hour lessons. To save on costs, consider taking classes with one friend or family member, and this will only cost $395 for the same number of lessons. As for the price of equipment rental, this will depend on the age of the snowboarder and how long one intends to use the gear. For instance, if you’ll be renting a snowboard and a pair of boots for a five-year-old for two hours, expect to pay around $26 for the rental fee. Those who are 13 or older will be charged $37.
Saint-Bruno does not offer other activities apart from skiing and snowboarding, but after spending time in the snow, you can head to the Le Hors-Piste for the best apres-ski experience. Here, you can enjoy a cup of coffee, soups, and pastries to warm you up after a day of snowboarding, or indulge in some wine or cocktails while chatting with friends. Kids are also welcome at this resto-bar, making it the perfect place to have lunch or dinner with the family.
Ski Bromont
If the thought of snowboarding at night intrigues you, head to Ski Bromont, which has guaranteed conditions for both day and night snowboarding. It features the largest lit skiable area in North America with 156 trails all across 7 hillsides, which guarantees a safe yet enjoyable nighttime snowboarding experience for both newbies and advanced riders. This winter destination is about 45 minutes away from Montreal, right in the heart of the Eastern Townships region. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities that include gondola rides, zip lining, mountain biking, hiking, and playing on the water slides.
You can rent a snowboard for about $57, which gets you 8 hours of use, plus some snowboots for $47. Ski Bromont also has a snowboard school which supports learning for beginners and experts, and they have instructors who can teach in several languages, including Spanish and Mandarin. Kids 6 years old and up can join the First Glide lesson, which is designed for those who have never snowboarded before. The package is priced at $99, and this includes 1.5 hours of snowboard lessons, 4 hours of snowboard equipment rental, and a gondola ride ticket.
Perfect your shredding skills and have fun at some of the best snowboarding and ski resorts in Montreal. Try any of these destinations for beginner-friendly slopes, quality lessons, and fun activities, and have the best time of your life in the region.
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