Montrealers can now jump right into a brand‑new lineup of winter activities at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

From sledding to skating along the rinks or trekking across 25 kilometres of trails, there’s plenty to do and discover. Along the way, visitors can discover the Floralies sector that glows at night, and also ponds, historic military buildings, and the Lévis Tower — all part of the park’s rich heritage.

For Montrealer, Tom, going to the park is a way to get away from the city without going far.

“As a Montrealer I don’t really go outside of the city, but, like, that’s so close that I could do it any day,” says Tom.

Véronique Doucet, general manager, Société du Parc Jean‑Drapeau, says people have a lot to know about the park’s history as well as the newest addition Mount Boullé.

“The site is the called Mont Boullé because the first person that discovered the Île Saint-Hélène is Samuel de Champlain, and his wife was called Hélène Boullé, so that’s why it’s called Île Saint‑Hélène, and that’s why it’s called Mont Boullé,” explains Doucet.

After nearly five years of work and more than $50 million in investments, Mount Boullé is emerging as Montreal’s newest outdoor destination. This natural landscape has been restored with accessibility and safety in mind.

“The type of work we did is very special because we did plantation for over 150,000 plants and trees, and also we we installed a new corridor for wildlife, so there’s 27,000 plants that has been done to do that corridor to make sure that we respect the wildlife and also the spaces that we have here in the in the area of the Mont Boullé, and also the work that has been done on our on our building, so the heritage of our building has been preserved,” Doucet says.

Those without without winter gear can rent winter bikes, snowshoes, cross‑country skis and more.

“I definitely think that one of the solutions to avoiding seasonal depression is movement,” said Montrealer Angel Cardos.

Doucet also recommends getting to the top of Mont Boullé.

“The view when you get on top of the Lévis tower is amazing, you have a 360 degree view of the greater Montreal, and it’s also the only skyline of Montreal; it’s the only place that you can see the whole city of Montreal, so really they have to come and try it,” she says.