Mount Royal: Your Natural Choice for March Break
- February 25, 2020
Finding time to enjoy the great outdoors is always a good idea especially during spring break! The March holiday is the perfect opportunity to kick back with loved ones, play outside and appreciate nature right here in the city. Easy to access and available to everyone, Mount Royal offers multiple possibilities to explore with family members of all ages.
photo: Freddy Arciniegas
Spending time with the kids without spending too much!
Whether your children like to cross-country ski, snowshoe or skate, finding the best fit for them on the mountain is easy and inexpensive thanks to free access to ski trails (22 km), snowshoe trails (3 km) and refrigerated ice rink. For thrills, head to the tobogganing or snow tubing lanes ($)!
Forgot your skates or ski boots? You can rent equipment at the outdoor equipment counter in the Beaver Lake Pavilion for an hour or more.
Exploring Woodlands… on Foot or on Snowshoes
Although shy and sometimes hard to spot, all kinds of animals from squirrels to racoons inhabit the forest of Mount Royal. On the March Break snowshoe excursion ($), you will learn to identify the tracks they make in the snow, the nests they build in trees and the holes they dig in trunks. What’s more, nature lovers are rewarded with a cup of hot chocolate in the heart of the forest.
If you prefer a free activity, the bird feeder circuit on Olmsted Path promises surprises every time! Who will be there today? If you’re lucky, you might spot a cardinal, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, Pileated woodpecker… or any one of the 20 bird species observed in winter on Mount Royal!
Getting a Fresh Outlook
Exercising the mind during school holidays? Why not, as long as it’s fun! Children of all ages can learn and take advantage of our educators' knowledge every afternoon during spring break, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the winter kiosk next to Beaver Lake.
If you happen by Smith House, the exhibition Mount Royal, a Territory to Discover provides an interesting overview of the mountain’s history, fauna and flora, and conservation challenges.
Reconnecting with Nature by Forest Bathing
What if you took advantage of the break to really slow down? On your next visit to Mount Royal, why not practice “forest bathing,” or shinrin-yoku, to immerse yourself in nature. Take a slow and silent walk, with stops of several minutes, and allow the forest to awaken your senses. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will rediscover the sounds, scents, colours and textures of nature. Also known as forest therapy, this Japanese practice claims to provide physical and psychological benefits notably by reducing stress and anxiety. It’s the perfect antidote to the hectic pace of modern life!
To learn more about this practice and its benefits, visit Shinrin Yoku Quebec.
Taking the Time to Enjoy a Well-Deserved Break
Whether you prefer Beaver Lake Pavilion’s view of the skating rink and frozen lake, the historical atmosphere of Smith House or the majestic setting of the Mount Royal Chalet, there’s always a warm and welcoming Café des Amis for a soup, sandwich, dessert or hot drink.
Planning Ahead, No Matter What Your Plans Are
Before heading to the mountain, take a minute to consult the conditions of outdoor facilities in Mount Royal Park.
Back photo: Freddy Arciniegas
Spending time with the kids without spending too much!
Whether your children like to cross-country ski, snowshoe or skate, finding the best fit for them on the mountain is easy and inexpensive thanks to free access to ski trails (22 km), snowshoe trails (3 km) and refrigerated ice rink. For thrills, head to the tobogganing or snow tubing lanes ($)!
Forgot your skates or ski boots? You can rent equipment at the outdoor equipment counter in the Beaver Lake Pavilion for an hour or more.
Exploring Woodlands… on Foot or on Snowshoes
Although shy and sometimes hard to spot, all kinds of animals from squirrels to racoons inhabit the forest of Mount Royal. On the March Break snowshoe excursion ($), you will learn to identify the tracks they make in the snow, the nests they build in trees and the holes they dig in trunks. What’s more, nature lovers are rewarded with a cup of hot chocolate in the heart of the forest.
If you prefer a free activity, the bird feeder circuit on Olmsted Path promises surprises every time! Who will be there today? If you’re lucky, you might spot a cardinal, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, Pileated woodpecker… or any one of the 20 bird species observed in winter on Mount Royal!
Getting a Fresh Outlook
Exercising the mind during school holidays? Why not, as long as it’s fun! Children of all ages can learn and take advantage of our educators' knowledge every afternoon during spring break, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the winter kiosk next to Beaver Lake.
If you happen by Smith House, the exhibition Mount Royal, a Territory to Discover provides an interesting overview of the mountain’s history, fauna and flora, and conservation challenges.
Reconnecting with Nature by Forest Bathing
What if you took advantage of the break to really slow down? On your next visit to Mount Royal, why not practice “forest bathing,” or shinrin-yoku, to immerse yourself in nature. Take a slow and silent walk, with stops of several minutes, and allow the forest to awaken your senses. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will rediscover the sounds, scents, colours and textures of nature. Also known as forest therapy, this Japanese practice claims to provide physical and psychological benefits notably by reducing stress and anxiety. It’s the perfect antidote to the hectic pace of modern life!
To learn more about this practice and its benefits, visit Shinrin Yoku Quebec.
Taking the Time to Enjoy a Well-Deserved Break
Whether you prefer Beaver Lake Pavilion’s view of the skating rink and frozen lake, the historical atmosphere of Smith House or the majestic setting of the Mount Royal Chalet, there’s always a warm and welcoming Café des Amis for a soup, sandwich, dessert or hot drink.
Planning Ahead, No Matter What Your Plans Are
Before heading to the mountain, take a minute to consult the conditions of outdoor facilities in Mount Royal Park.