What are Les Routes
Blanches?
- Multi-day nordic ski expeditions in the Laurentians.
- A project promoting backcountry cross-country ski heritage.
- A means of promoting the long-term sustainability of Laurentian cross-country ski trails.
- A way of promoting cooperation between cross-country ski network stakeholders.
Nordic Ski Heritage
The Laurentian mountains became the birthplace of skiing in North America in the early 1900’s. The long winters, the hills and open plains, combined with its proximity to Montreal and served by two major railways all contributed to it quickly becoming a mecca for skiers.
By the 1920’s a vast network of nordic ski trails had evolved which were integrated with unploughed roads, frozen lakes and the open farmland. This extensive network crisscrossed the municipalities and linked the towns throughout the region. Cross-country skiing had grown so quickly through the decade that a special ski trains (train de neiges) was inaugurated in 1927 to handle the thousands of skiers. Thus began the economic transformation of the Laurentians from agriculture and forestry to tourism.
In 1933, Jackrabbit Johannsen completed the famous Maple Leaf trail that interconnected all the various inns, hotels and boardinghouses throughout the area from the southern Laurentians to Mont Tremblant. This made it possible for skiers to ski from town to town, and although the landscape has been transformed over time since then, it is still possible to do so to this day.
Almost 100 years later, Les Routes Blanches is an initiative to experience those same adventures. Organized guided and self-guided nordic ski tours will lead you over a combination of new and historical trails on natural snow conditions from inn to inn in the same spirit of times gone by and across the Laurentians where skiing all began.
FIND OUT MOREPrivate Property Challenges
In recent decades, the explosion of residential development and urbanization perimeters has greatly diminished the Laurentian ski network, which is largely located on private property. The aim of Les Routes Blanches project is to encourage skiers to adopt a responsible approach to cross-country skiing, which respects the landowners who allow us to ski through their land.
Les Routes Blanches a SOPAIR Pilot Project
The Société de plein air des Pays-d’en-Haut (SOPAIR) is the organization behind Les Routes Blanches project. SOPAIR’s mission is to ensure the development, access and sustainability of trails in the MRC (regional county municipality) of the Pays-d’en-Haut. Its mandate extends to neighboring municipalities which also contain backcountry nordic ski trails.
Thank you to the landowners who allow skiers to pass through their property!
Thank you to the clubs and volunteers who tirelessly maintain the trails!
Thank you to the many private and municipal stakeholders who support this initiative!
