On Snowshoes and Skis: Winter Trails at Les Refuges Perchés

The trail starts a few metres from your treehouse. The wood stove is still warm when you get back. That's the thing about a winter stay at Les Refuges Perchés — the outdoors and the indoors are soooo close.

Over 29.5 km of marked winter trails easily accessed right from the property. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing can be done without getting into a car.

Snowshoeing and winter hiking

Our 18.2 km of marked trails for snowshoeing and winter hiking wind through forest, open fields, and along the lake. The terrain is varied enough to stay interesting — look for animal tracks in the snow, beaver activity along the water's edge, and the kind of quiet you only find deep in a protected backcountry forest.

Snowshoes and crampons require almost no learning curve. If you can walk, you can snowshoe — the gear does most of the work. It's a good first outing for anyone who's never tried it, and a solid option for groups where ages and fitness levels vary. Choose snowshoes when there has been a recent snowfall or for exploring off trail. Choose crampons for staying on packed trails.

For those who already snowshoe regularly, our trails are a new terrain to explore — varied enough to stay interesting, with animal tracks, beaver activity along the water's edge, and backcountry quiet. Your refuge is right there when you're ready to come back in.

Download the trail map for Parc ÉCO Laurentides or download the park map via the Ondago app.

Cross-country skiing

Imagine stepping out of your refuge and straight onto the trail — skis on, lungs full, tracks freshly groomed.

Our 19.7 km of groomed cross-country trails work for first-timers moving at their own pace and for guests who want to cover ground and get a full-body workout in under two hours. Classic Nordic skiing lets you move faster and farther than snowshoeing, with a bit more physical effort. The trails are groomed tracks — not backcountry routes — so technique develops quickly.

The full trail network

Between snowshoeing, crampon hiking, and cross-country skiing, there are over 29.5 km of marked trails available from Les Refuges Perchés. Plan your outings around the weather and your group's pace — and leave time to warm up when you get back.

Snowshoes and cross-country ski equipment — including crampons — are available to rent at the reception pavilion, in sizes for both adults and children. Contact us to know more.

We hope you have a great cross-country skiing trip! Feel free to send us your photos on our social mediaor to info@refugesperches.com.