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These activities have always been an integral part of life in Montréal. Yachts and sailboats contribute to the colorful marine ambiance of the Vieux-Port in Montréal. Saute-Moutons is the premier Lachine Rapids jetboat (motorized rafting) excursion, departing from the Quai de l’Horlogue, while canoeing can be enjoyed on the Canal Lachine.

There are hundreds of skiing trails throughout the Laurentian, Adirondack, Green and White Mountain ranges within hours of both cities. For Montréalers, the Cantons de l’Est offer pistes at Mont Orford (see Attractions in Cantons de l'Est, Restaurants in Cantons de l’Est), while Québec City enthusiasts have runs at Massif and Mont Sainte-Anne (see Mont Sainte-Anne).

Cross-country legends abound in Québec, with Herman “Jackrabbit” Johannsen (see Les Laurentides) leading the list of adventurers. In Montréal it is possible to enjoy cross-country skiing in many parks, with locals favoring Parc du Cap Saint-Jacques because of its 900-acre domain.

A former rail track has now been turned into a 200-km (125-mile) hiking, cycling and cross-country ski trail. The train once took weekenders to the Laurentian mountains from Montréal at the southern end to Mont-Laurier on the northern extreme.

There are more than 30 indoor pools in the Montréal area, including Olympic-size facilities at Parc Olympique (see Parc Olympique). In summer there is a beach on Ile Notre-Dame, south of Vieux-Port.

Indoor arenas in summer and outdoor city parks and lakes in winter provide numerous ice-skating options in both cities, while snowshoeing is reserved for larger tracts of land such as Parc du Mont-Royal in Montréal.

These are two of the fastest growing adventure sports throughout Québec, with a bevy of challenges available outside both cities. The vast mountainous expanses are overseen by Sépaq (Parks Québec).

Winter dogsled trips are a fantastic way of becoming one with nature as packs of huskies pull you through the forests of the province. Contact Sépaq for more information.

Immediately west of Montréal is horse country. Visitors can make a day of it by touring the rolling hills of Hudson and Rigaud (see Hudson and Rigaud) and be back in the city by nightfall. The Double J Ranch also has a network of trails.

Wildlife abounds for hunters in Québec, whether searching for white-tailed deer, moose, caribou or pheasant. The fishing here has long attracted the rich and famous; it offers some of the best river salmon fishing in the world.