The story

The heritage of the

Nordic cross-country skiing

The Laurentians, cradle of Nordic skiing in America

At the beginning of the 20^th century, the Laurentians region established itself as the cradle of Nordic skiing in North America. Its harsh climate, snow-covered hills and plains, combined with its proximity to Montreal and the railway network, made it an ideal location for the development of this discipline.

“In 1927, a train specially dedicated to skiers was created, marking a turning point in the tourism history of the Laurentians.”

The boom of the 1920s

From the 1920s, a vast network of trails was developed.
Unplowed roads, frozen lakes and farm tracks are transformed into natural trails, connecting villages and municipalities.
Tourism is gradually taking over from agriculture and forestry.

Jackrabbit Johannsen and the Maple Leaf Trail

In 1933, the legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen completed the Maple Leaf Trail. This route connects accommodations in the southern Laurentians to Mont-Tremblant and makes it possible to enjoy true cross-country skiing expeditions from village to village. Although transformed over the decades, this historic network remains present today.

1920 Birth of the trail network

1927 Inauguration of the skiers' train

1933 Creation of the Maple Leaf Trail

Today, Les Routes Blanches perpetuates the legacy

A legacy that still lives on

Nearly a century later, Les Routes Blanches perpetuates this legacy. They invite you to explore, on skis, heritage trails enriched with new routes, in the same spirit as that of the builders who made the Laurentians the historic heart of Nordic skiing in America.

The challenges of the

private property

Preserving a fragile heritage

Over the past several decades, the rise of residential development and the expansion of urban areas have profoundly transformed the Laurentians. This dynamism, while a testament to the region’s vitality, has also weakened the historic Nordic ski network.

Indeed, a large portion of these trails now cross private property. Their accessibility therefore relies largely on the generosity and goodwill of landowners, who allow skiers to continue to enjoy these unique routes, witnesses to a rich heritage.

In this context, the Routes Blanches project aims not only to maintain and enhance this network, but also to highlight the importance of responsible cross-country skiing. Skiers are invited to adopt a respectful attitude, to recognize the essential contribution of the owners and to understand that the sustainability of these trails depends directly on this harmonious cohabitation between users and guardians of the territory.

Preserving these paths means preserving a part of the history of the Laurentians. Each route tells the story of a time when Nordic skiing was the heart of the region, and when the links between villages, nature and inhabitants were woven to the rhythm of snowy winters.

Thanks to the landowners who allow skiers to pass through.

Thanks to the clubs and volunteers for maintaining the trails.

Thank you to the many private and municipal stakeholders who support the initiative.

Les Routes Blanches

a project led by SOPAIR

The Pays-d’en-Haut Outdoor Society (SOPAIR) is the organization behind the White Routes project. SOPAIR is a conservation organization whose mission is to work on the development, access and sustainability of the trails in the MRC des Pays-d’en-Haut. Its mandate extends to neighboring municipalities out of necessity for the operation of the White Routes.