Mont-Tremblant in May

Winter runs December through March, with January and February delivering the most reliable snow. But here's the thing — weekends get absolutely mobbed with Montreal and Ottawa families. Go midweek if you can swing it. Lift tickets drop from $89 to $69 CAD, and you'll actually get fresh tracks. Spring skiing in March offers longer days and softer snow, plus maple syrup season in the surrounding farms. Summer transforms the mountain completely. July and August bring hiking, mountain biking, and lake activities with temperatures in the mid-70s. The Via Ferrata climbing route opens, and you can take the gondola up for alpine hiking without the winter crowds. But summer also means black flies in June — pack bug spray or suffer. Fall is peak tourism season for a reason. Late September through mid-October delivers those Instagram-worthy colors, but expect crowds and premium pricing. Early September offers better deals with still-decent foliage. Winter activities start in late November with snowmaking, but natural snow doesn't usually stick until mid-December. The mountain bike park runs May through October, weather permitting.