Saint-Sauveur Valley with Kids: A Family-Friendly Winter Getaway in Quebec

Let’s start with the tubing, because it was one of the most fun things we did The Sommet Saint-Sauveur Versant Avila's Snow Tubing Park was just a few minutes away from Manoir Saint-Sauveur and has a total of 18 slides - so you can definitely spend an entire morning here! The park is divided up by green circle, blue square and black diamond runs, just like the ski hill. We started on the 6 easy runs, but the kids (especially my 4 year old) quickly wanted to go up the faster and bigger hills!

For the remaining hills, there’s an enclosed magic carpet tunnel that takes you back up the hill. Instead of dragging your tube uphill, you hop onto a covered conveyor belt that gently carries you straight to the top. Note that these are not gentle bunny hills - the black diamond tubing lanes at Sommet Saint-Sauveur are steep, fast, and honestly feel like a rollercoaster. We were all screaming and laughing the entire way down!

The last three runs are rafting, where instead of of single tubes, you ride down in large inflatable rafts that fit multiple people at once. It goes VERY fast and is incredibly fun. Even the lift back up for the raft runs is fun - you sit in a single tube and get pulled up the hill by a rope. Note that there is a height requirement to ride the rafts, so younger kids may have to sit this one out.

Tip: Make sure you bring your ski goggles! I made the mistake of leaving mine in the car and had to eventually borrow my husband’s for the final runs because I was getting slapped in the face on every run. I’d also recommend the kids wear their ski helmets.

When you’re ready to warm up, there’s a really cozy cafeteria with a huge stone fireplace and century-old beams, where you can grab a simple lunch including the Canadian classic and delicious poutine (french fries with hot gravy and cheese curds).

Tubing is one of those activities where everyone, no matter their age, is having just as much fun. This is one of the best things to do in Saint-Sauveur with kids in winter, especially if your kids aren’t skiing yet.

Just steps from the tube hills is Sommet Saint-Sauveur, the main ski resort in town known for its family-friendly slopes, night skiing, and snow school for kids of all levels. It’s a great option if you’re planning a family ski trip in Quebec or looking for a beginner-friendly ski resort with kids.

We rented all of our gear onsite, except our helmets and goggles which we brought from home, and booked 2 hours of ski lessons for the kids. The instructors were fantastic! They did a great job of handling both kids at the same time, keeping it fun, and taking them through secret forested trails and fun runs. Meanwhile, Tourisme Laurentians also arranged for a ski instructor to give us parents a guided tour of the mountain for the hour. I didn’t learn to ski until I was 25 years old after my husband and I started dating, so it was actually so nice to get some tips on how to improve my skiing!

Sommet Saint-Sauveur is an especially good choice for a family ski trip in Quebec because everything is compact, well-organized, and easy with kids.

Night Skiing: One thing we didn’t get to experience this time, but is worth knowing about, is night skiing and night tubing at Sommet Saint-Sauveur. The mountain is famous for its evening operations, with illuminated slopes and tubing runs that stay open after dark, which families absolutely love for extending the day without needing to rush.

Viking Alpine Coaster: There’s also the Viking Alpine Coaster, a year-round mountain coaster that winds through the forest and is a huge hit with kids and teens. Kids ride tandem with parents and it’s great because you can control your own speed, so can set the amount of thrill you’re comfortable with. To take it a step further, there’s L’Odyssée du Viking, a nighttime version of the coaster that turns the ride into a full evening experience. The track is illuminated and enhanced with lighting effects as you descend through the forest, which looks so cool! We had booked to do but unfortunately, the coaster was closed during our visit due to a snowstorm that had hit a few days earlier.

One of our favourite slower moments of the trip was ceramic painting at La Balançoire Créative, which is seriously just the cutest, coziest little café in the heart of Saint-Sauveur village.

You pick your pieces, paint at your own pace, and warm up in front of the fireplace with hot chocolate and rainbow treats while the kids focus on their creations. It was such a nice contrast to all the high-energy winter activities and made for the best souvenirs to take home. 

Note: If you’re coming to Saint-Sauveur for the weekend, do this activity early in your trip. The ceramic pieces need about 48 hours to be fired and finished, so you can pick them up on your way home.

This was the experience my kids are still talking about. Dog sledding with Aventures Plein Air Saint-Hippolyte is more than just a ride on a sled: you actually get to be mushers and drive your own team of huskies across a frozen lake. My husband and I each took one kid and they were both cheering and having the time of their lives during the ride. The power of these dogs is incredible and you definitely have to hold on!

After the ride, we were taken up the mountain to the coziest little cabin in the woods for lunch, where we were served homemade meat pie, hot chocolate and mulled wine. We then got a tour of the kennel to meet more than 100 of the beautiful and playful huskies up close. At one point, it was feeding time and we could not believe the sound of 100 of the dogs barking in excitement when they saw their food coming! We all absolutely loved the dog sledding experience - it’s definitely one of the most memorable and unique winter activities for families visiting the Laurentians.

If you’re planning a Laurentians winter getaway with kids, I highly recommend staying at the family-friendly hotel Manoir Saint-Sauveur. It made the whole trip feel easier and could not have been more perfect for this trip. This place nails that balance between classy and kid-friendly. The hotel itself is beautiful and has preserved its historic charm with rustic chich decor and multiple fireplaces throughout.

Nordic Thermal Spa 

There is a gorgeous outdoor Nordic-style thermal bath, dry steam sauna and cold plunge for parents. I’m a scalding hot shower kind of girl, but my kids dared me into trying the cold plunge, which I surprisingly didn’t hate! The only thing to keep in mind is that access to the outdoor thermal bath is permitted for guests 16 years old and older.

I had a chance to take a peek at the spa, and my only regret about our stay is not booking a treatment or massage! The spa itself is so beautiful and serene, and includes access to a second private outdoor thermal bath and sauna.

Indoor Pool

For families, Manoir Saint-Sauveur has an indoor heated pool, which was surprisingly very warm (even for my liking). In the summer, they also have a large outdoor pool and playground for kids. We’ll definitely have to return this summer, especially since my kids spotted the massive water park at Sommet Saint-Sauveur and were begging us to come back for!

Kids Club at Manoir Saint-Sauveur

We didn’t even realize Manoir had a kids club, so this was a game-changing surprise and definitely the best part of our stay. The room is filled to the brim with toys, games, arts & crafts materials and a TV. The Kids Club is available for unsupervised use on week days, and there is staff supervision and dedicated activities on the weekends.

The kids club room itself is right in eyesight of the dining room, so the kids could run back and forth to between playing and eating, while we actually got to sit, talk, and enjoy a real meal. That kind of thoughtful detail makes such a difference when you are traveling with kids.

S’Mores Activity

In the evening, you can also arrange for a cozy outdoor S’mores activity with your own private fireplace at the alpine chic Veuve Clicquot Sun Club. We had a blast roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate (with the option for Bailey’s).

Good food matters on a winter family trip, and eating well is part of the experience at Saint-Sauveur.

First, I wasn’t expecting the food at Manoir Saint-Sauveur to be such a standout, but it genuinely surprised us. It’s very clear they take food seriously, especially meat, because as soon as you walk in, there’s this glass-fronted fridge with big cuts of meat hanging inside. It immediately sets the tone. This is not average hotel food.

La Tablée is the main restaurant at the Manoir Saint-Sauveur, and it’s where we ate most of our meals. Every dish and meal we ate here was incredible, including braised lamb, chicken parmesan, and a homemade pappardelle pasta dish. The wood-fired pizzas deserve a special mention because it was perfect - extra cheesy for the kids, and extra elevated for us parents with porcini and truffle cream, along with a giant pair of scissors to cut our own slices. There’s also a dedicated Kids Menu and no one batted an eye when the children ran over to the Kids Club between bites.

The breakfast here is also solid. One day there was a very impressive buffet spread, and the next an a la carte menu that includes a kids menu with cereal and milk, unlimited juice, and a crêpe with sugar cream sauce!

We also had breakfast one morning at Obodum, just down the road from the Manoir. Come hungry, because the portions are generous, but the food is seriously delicious! We had crepes piled high with fruit and custard, French toast that tasted exactly like apple pie, and fresh fruit smoothies that the kids inhaled. Exactly what you want before a full day of skiing or snow tubing.

Fondue in the Village: Le Saint-Sau Pub Gourmand

One night we ate dinner at Le Saint-Sau Pub Gourmand, which is right in the heart of  Saint-Sauveur village and serves up cozy dishes inspired by cuisine … aka fondue! This was hands down some of the best fondue we’ve ever had, and exactly the kind of meal you want after a day in the snow. Sitting around a bubbling pot of cheese felt very European and very wintery. If you’re planning a trip here, I’d absolutely make room for at least one fondue night.

The Saint-Sauveur Valley is one of the most underrated winter family destinations in Quebec, especially for families planning a ski trip with kids near Toronto. Between the skiing, tubing, dog sledding, food, and family-friendly hotels, it felt like a full winter experience rather than just a ski trip. If you’re looking for a family winter getaway in the Laurentians that feels different, easy to plan, and genuinely fun for both kids and parents, Saint-Sauveur belongs on your list.

This trip was sponsored by Tourisme Laurentides and local partners who made our family adventure possible. We’re so grateful for their hospitality and support. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.