Our Snowmobiling Experience on Lake Morency

Hi, Mélanie here! I’m taking over the keyboard for the latest article in our series about the activities we tried during our recent vacation in Quebec. This time, I’m sharing our snowmobiling experience on Lake Morency, a beautiful ride that left us completely amazed.

We already had an article on the blog about the best places to go snowmobiling in Quebec, but that was a general guide based largely on the knowledge of Valérie, who lives there. Through Manawa, she also had the opportunity to try a snowmobile excursion elsewhere in the Laurentians.

This time, though, we can finally share our own firsthand experience.

This article was produced in partnership with Manawa, the activity-booking platform we regularly use before our trips. We relied on it several times during our week in the Laurentians and were very happy with the experience. As always, however, the opinions and wording in this article are entirely our own.

For more ideas from those 15 days in Quebec, read our articles about our helicopter ride in Mont-Tremblant and snow tubing.

Since this article was first written, we have returned to Canada, and Mélanie and Louis also enjoyed another snowmobile outing near the Saguenay Fjord.

As we had throughout our week in the Laurentians, we left the cabin fairly early to reach the site. The sky was overcast and snow was in the forecast, which felt promising. We arrived about an hour before our scheduled departure and completed the required paperwork. That day, only Louis and I were taking part because Téo was still too young to ride as a passenger, so Sylvain stayed behind with him in the warmth.

Parking was easy in the large lot beside reception. A small outdoor shelter with a fire offered a welcome place to warm our hands, and the staff gave us a very friendly welcome. As instructed, we then went down to the lower floor of the lodge, where Sylvain and Téo could wait in a spacious, heated activity room. There were sofas, board games, a coffee station, and a view of the snow falling over the lake. By then, large flakes were coming down, adding a wonderfully wintry atmosphere. Someone had to volunteer for the activity, after all.

The four of us then walked through the heavy snowfall to the equipment building beside reception. We were given gloves, a helmet with a visor, and a balaclava before watching a short safety video. At first, I wondered why the instructions were not simply delivered in person, but the guide followed up carefully and asked questions to make sure we understood how the snowmobile worked.

I then met Junior, our friendly guide. Louis could barely contain his excitement at the thought of riding a snowmobile. Junior reviewed how to start the machine, position myself, steer, brake, and accelerate, reinforcing everything shown in the video. With Téo and Sylvain settled comfortably indoors, Louis and I were ready to leave.

Sylvain looked a little disappointed to miss out, so I promised that if we returned to Canada the following winter, it would be his turn. We had also learned from my cousin that multi-day snowmobile trips are available deeper in Quebec, which certainly gave us something to think about.

We left the parking lot and headed toward the completely frozen lake beside the lodge. The snowfall intensified, with large flakes creating an extraordinary atmosphere. Within the first few meters, the handling began to remind me of riding a motorcycle. Junior had us practice circles and 180-degree turns so we could get comfortable with the machine. On a wide, obstacle-free lake, it felt easier than expected. He then outlined the one-hour route, including a climb to a viewpoint above the frozen lake.

Junior reassured Louis by explaining that the ice was thick enough for the authorized winter activity and that vehicles regularly used the frozen lake. Louis, of course, was not old enough to drive, so he rode behind me as a passenger.

Junior also told us that the lake takes time to freeze because of its depth. We continued riding and soon found ourselves deep in the forest. The setting was magnificent: everything around us was white, with snow-covered trees and maples lining the trail.

The ride immediately brought back memories of being on a motorcycle with my brother years ago, although the snowy surroundings made this a completely different experience. We stopped in the forest, where Junior pointed out several maple trees fitted with small metal boxes. When he asked whether we knew what they were, I guessed they looked like trash cans. He laughed—it was not even close.

He lifted one of the lids to reveal the spout used to collect maple sap in spring. The sap is then boiled to remove water and concentrate its natural sugars until it becomes the golden syrup everyone knows. At that rate, we were going to end up eating pancakes every day, haha.

Farther into the forest, Junior warned us that the trail would climb more steeply and that I needed to maintain steady momentum on the slope. Snow continued falling throughout the ascent, but the helmet visor kept it from becoming a problem. The scenery remained dreamlike, although Louis was beginning to feel the cold in his feet.

At the top of the hill, we stopped at the first viewpoint overlooking the frozen lake. Visibility was limited by the snowfall, but Louis and I were delighted to be there together. Junior explained that the lake is shaped somewhat like a fish and pointed out the direction of the nearby village.

We continued to a second viewpoint with a clearer look toward the far end of the lake and its distinctive “fish tail.” Junior shared information at each stop and kindly took photos of the two of us.

He also told us about the extensive snowmobile trail network throughout the Laurentians. In summer, parts of these routes are used for other outdoor activities, while the lake itself becomes a place for swimming and fishing. I doubt the water ever feels anything like our lagoon back home, though.

The hour passed far too quickly. We continued without stopping, weaving between white fir trees in a wonderfully peaceful setting. I felt comfortable handling the snowmobile and was able to enjoy the ride without stress. Sharing the experience with Louis made it even more meaningful. I value our time together more and more—but I’m getting sidetracked.

We returned calmly to the parking lot, debriefed briefly with Junior, and handed back the equipment. Still thrilled by the experience, we rejoined Sylvain and Téo, who had enjoyed their warm and comfortable wait indoors.

We also chose to rent all our winter clothing from Tuque & Bicycle Expériences, which worked extremely well for us. Our dedicated article explains the process in detail.

Here are a few practical details to help you plan the experience.

Travel time will depend on where you are staying, although many visitors arrive from Montreal. Renting a car is generally the simplest option, and we used Discover Cars to compare rates and find one of the best prices for our trip.

Saint-Hippolyte is roughly 80 km from Montreal, with the drive usually taking around an hour depending on traffic and winter conditions.

Depending on your itinerary, spending a night nearby may be convenient. Here are three places to consider:

• L’auberge du Lac Morency: This is where our outing began. The property offers comfortable accommodations in a natural lakeside setting, along with a range of leisure facilities and on-site services.
• Hôtel du lac Lenore: A welcoming property with cozy rooms, a chalet-style atmosphere, and views over the lake and gardens.
• Chalet 4saisons: A spacious, family-friendly option with modern amenities, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace overlooking the lake.

We stayed in a lovely Airbnb chalet, but the surrounding area offers a wide range of accommodations. We have also put together a guide to the best hotels in Mont-Tremblant.

That brings us to the end of this snowmobiling story. For another memorable winter activity, read about dog sledding in the Laurentians.

See you soon!

Written by Sylvain PONS

I had the opportunity to explore the beauty of this country I love on several different occasions and in different places (Canadian Rockies, the Island of Newfoundland for 1 month, Yukon and Québec)!

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