Express du Nord: Your (bus) ticket to the great outdoors!
Martine Rhéaume
This article was updated on December 9, 2019.
Pockets of nature are everywhere in Montréal, from majestic Mount Royal to the city’s many parks and riverside green spaces. But if you’re looking to fill your lungs with fresh mountain air, there’s nothing like the Laurentians. And with the Express du Nord coach, getting there is easier than ever.
Every weekend from early December through to mid-April, the Express du Nord whisks passengers from the bus station in downtown Montréal to Saint-Sauveur and Mont Tremblant. So cast aside your worries about winter driving and enjoy the ride up to the spectacular peaks of the Laurentian Mountains!
Find your thrill on the hill in Saint-Sauveur
In Québec, countless villages claim to be the birthplace of poutine, but Saint-Sauveur’s claim to fame is that it’s where the province’s world-class ski scene first got started. With 5 ski stations and 155 runs, there’s something for everyone! Sommet Saint-Sauveur offers deep powder, 40 well-groomed trails and an electrifying vibe that feels like you’re at one of Montréal’s well-known festivals.
Take the family out for a day of tubing, test your snowboarding skills at the Snoprk, or get your adrenaline pumping on the Viking, a roller coaster-type sledding experience. For a birds-eye view like no other, try the Dragon zipline over the mountain! Or if you have a more relaxing getaway in mind, rest assured that the Express du Nord makes a stop at the luxurious Manoir Saint-Sauveur, which is conveniently located near the Polar Bear's Club Nordic spa.
Save big at the Tanger Outlets in Saint-Sauveur
Need to revamp your outdoor wardrobe? Looking for deals on brand-name items? We’ve got great news: the Express du Nord coach will drop you off right in front of the Tanger Outlets! You’ll find sports gear at Atmosphère and Chlorophylle, with classic brands like Puma, Reebok, Bench, Ecko and Carter.
Downtown Mont Tremblant: a destination unto itself
The coach stops right in downtown Mont Tremblant. While this area is a few kilometres away from the ski hill and resort, it offers direct access to P'tit Train du Nord, a “linear park” that’s great for cross-country skiing and winter biking. While you’re there, you’ll also want to check out the shops and restaurants on Saint-Jovite Street.
Scenic and snowy Mont Tremblant Resort
Nestled at the foot of an impressive mountain, Mont Tremblant Ski Resort looks like something out of a fairy tale. More than just a ski and snowboard destination, the mountain offers a wide range of activities, such as carriage rides, snowmobiling, fat biking, snowshoeing and even ice climbing when the mercury dips really low. Of course, Tremblant is known the world over for its incredible ski conditions, which you can see for yourself thanks to real-time webcams. The Express du Nord coach stops in the village and again at the Fairmont Hotel for those planning a posh stay.
The Express du Nord leaves Montréal in the morning and returns in the evening, Friday through Sunday. Return tickets to Saint-Sauveur cost $40 per adult, while return tickets to Mont Tremblant cost just over $70.
Martine Rhéaume, blogger
Martine Rhéaume is a strategic writer. The texts she writes or edits are elegant yet precise, direct yet pleasant. Martine first got a degree in musicology before getting an advanced graduate diploma in Marketing Communications (HEC Montréal, 2016). She worked as an editor, then an advertising copywriter for TC Médias Livres from 2011 to 2016. Since 2017, Martine is editor in chief at C2 Montréal.