The heritage of the
Nordic cross-country skiing
The Laurentians, cradle of Nordic skiing in America
“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 ski trails, connecting villages and municipalities.
Tourism gradually takes 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 made it possible to make true cross-country skiing trips from village to village. Although transformed over the decades, this historic network remains present today.
A legacy that still lives on
Nearly a century later, Les Routes Blanches perpetuates this legacy. We invite you to explore the trails in the same spirit as that of those who made Laurentians the 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. We invite our skiers 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.
We thank the landowners who allow skiers to pass through.
We thank the clubs and volunteers who maintain the trails.
We thank 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 Les Routes Blanches 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 Les Routes Blanches.