Guide To Saint-Sauveur From Montreal: The Ultimate Weekend Getaway

I love visiting Saint-Sauveur from Montreal. It’s under an hour drive from the city so it makes it visiting for the day or weekend very easy.

Saint-Sauveur is one of the larger towns in the Laurentians in Quebec, and you can visit all year round!

It’s best known as a ski resort in the winter, but there’s also quite a bit to do in the summer too, just like Mont Tremblant Village).

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Pinnable Image: the ultimate guide to St. Sauveur Quebec view of Rue Principale street during the day in the summer with clear skies, flowers lining the streets, people are walking on the sidewalks

How To Get To Saint-Sauveur From Montreal?

The easiest way to get from Montreal to Saint-Sauveur is to drive.

Of course, this isn’t always an option if you don’t have access to a car so there’s also a bus you can take.

P.S. Stay organized when planning your trip to Saint-Sauveur from Montreal with my travel planner.

Driving From Montreal To Sauveur

Driving to Saint-Sauveur from Montreal is the easiest option.

It’s about an hour drive from Montreal, without traffic. Keep in mind that Montrealers flock up north for the weekends. That means there’s going to be heavier traffic on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, and once again on the way back to Montreal on Sunday evenings.

driving to saint sauveur from montreal the long to lane highway is leading you into the mountains filled with trees. There is the same two lane highway on the other side of a divider with grass in the middle. The sky is a vibrant blue with only some clouds floating through

Saint-Sauveur also isn’t the most convenient town to walk around, so having a car once you’re there is always useful. This way you can easily reach the ski hill in the winter, and biking and hiking paths in the summer.

If you don’t have a car, you can rent a car for the day or weekend in Montreal.

Taking The Bus From Montreal To Sauveur

I’ve never actually taken a bus up north as I’ve always had a car, but there is actually a bus route offered by by Galland Laurentides Ltée from Montreal to the Laurentians.

The bus route has several stops throughout the Laurentians in Quebec, including Saint-Sauveur. It seems to run everyday, twice a day, book tickets in advance.

saint sauveur rue principale at the end of golden hour. The right side of the street, lined with single or two story buildings is completely in shadows, with a blueish hue. The road splits the image in two, and the left side still has some golden sun hitting the two story building of shops along the street. A tree filled with leaves hands above the buildings on the left, creating a nice frame above on the top of the photo. The sky is completely clear of clouds, you can see the wires crossing the street, and the shades of blue change.

Where To Stay In St. Sauveur?

We always stay at the Manoir St Sauveur. It’s centrally located within walking distance to the Saint-Sauveur outlets and Rue Principale for convenient food and shopping.

But you also don’t really ever have to leave the hotel. It has the perfect cozy cabin vibes and a huge outdoor terrace with a pool, a spa, and a few restaurants to eat at.

The Manoir Saint-Sauveur offers different types of stays as well, so you can stay in a room at the hotel itself, in a suite, or rent a room in one of the private condo buildings with a private balcony.

Another option if you’re interested in staying on Rue Principale in Saint Sauveur, is the bed and breakfast Au coeur de Saint-Sauveur. It’s the perfect place for weekend getaway for couples!

stay at the manoir st sauveur a photo of the bed in a hotel room. The bed is against a wall with strips of wood, adding a rustic and outdoor feel to the room. The floor is a beige carpet to match the colour of the walls and the head board behind the bed fitted with crisp white bedding. There are two wood bedside tables on either side.

Where To Eat In Sauveur

Saint-Sauveur has a really good mix of restaurants to choose from between family style restaurants and larger chains, to local dives and bakeries.

On top of that, there are three grocery stores to pick up food if you have a kitchen to cook some home made meals. There’s a Super C, Provigo, and even an IGA on the edge of the village.

Breakfast & Coffee Recommendations

My favourite spots for breakfast in Sauveur is picking up a coffee at White & Cie (seriously the best coffee I’ve ever had!), and they also have some healthy breakfast options to choose from.

P.S. If you love trying new coffee while traveling, like me, check out my downloadable coffee tasting guide on Etsy. Rate and review each new coffee you try to find your favourite!

For a quick on the go breakfast, pick up a fresh pastry at Pagé Bakery!

Or if you want a sit down breakfast, a very popular spot is La Crêperie Bretonne.

cafe white and cie saint sauveur outside facade. It's a small one story house with a large window from floor to ceiling. The name White & cie is printed on the top left corner. In front of the window is a cute set of outdoor table and chairs. A sign hangs off of the room with Cafe White & Cie. It's next to a field with trees and more outdoor furniture. The sun is starting to hit the building

Lunch & Dinner Recommendations

Saint-Sauveur surprisingly has really good Asian food. You can’t go wrong eating at either Piment Thai or Tonkinoise. Both of these restaurants are towards the end of Rue Principale, so they tend to be a bit quieter during high season.

Piment Thai has the best pad thai I’ve ever had. On top of that the staff is supper friendly and accommodating.

And Tonkinoise doesn’t accept any reservation which is also ideal during high season when it can be hard to find a place with space.

If you’re in the mood for some killer Mexican food, head to Señor Sanchez. Although you may have problems getting in here for supper. It’s a pretty popular place so fills up quickly.

a photo from above of the pad thai, with a menu under of the plate for piment thai.

What To Do In Saint-Sauveur (All Year Round)

Saint-Sauveur has a few activities that you can enjoy all year round, from shopping to eating!

Shopping In St. Sauveur: The Saint-Sauveur Outlets

There is tons of shopping in Saint Sauveur. There’s seriously something for everyone.

First, you have the Saint-Sauveur Outlets. This is an open air outlet mall where you can shop at the outlets for mainstream stores, like Garage, Stokes, Puma, Crocs…etc. You may be able to pick up some really neat finds at a great price!

But if you’re looking to get away from all the same stores from the city, head to Rue Principale. This is where you’ll find one of a kind, and more unique shops. You’ll find all sorts of locally made items here from fashion, home decor, to self care…etc.

Oh and don’t worry, there’s even a hardware for anyone who doesn’t like shopping!

saint sauveur shopping street along rue principale. You can see the right side of the street at golden hour, the small homes that have turned in to shops are creating a long shadow across the street. There are only two cars on the road, going in each direction. The rest of the people are walking on the sidewalks, and you see people sitting on a restaurant patio.

Nearby Spas In Saint-Sauveur Quebec

What better way to relax on vacation than at the spa. Imagine hitting out on the slopes or trails for the day, then coming back to relax at the spa. Now that’s pure bliss!

There are a few good spas in and around St. Sauveur.

If you don’t want to go too far, head to the Manoir Spa at the hotel.

If you’re looking for a nordic spa experience, and have a car, head to Amerispa.

stay at the manoir in saint sauveur from montreal. The outside back terrace of the hotel. The hotel is only three stories, with a very green slanted roof with two sets of dormers popping out of the roof. On the patio is a set of outdoor couches, a fountain, and some umbrellas with tables. It creates a very relaxing vacation vibes.

Visiting Saint Sauveur In The Winter

P.S. If you’re visiting Saint-Sauveur in the summer, skip ahead to my summer specific activities.

Going up north is a very popular winter destination for the ski hills and après ski vibes. Saint-Sauveur in the winter is no exception.

Take this as your warning though: it’s colder and snowier up north than it is in Montreal! So make sure you dress appropriately for winter!

sauveur ski hill in the winter at sunset in the distance. A snow covered field takes up the bottom third of the image. The middle third is the ski hill, it doesn't look like much, just the shadow of a mountain, but there are white lines that go from the top to the bottom - these are the ski hills. The sun is setting behind the mountain, it leaves a yellow glow. You can count the number of clouds in the sky, but they are also a golden yellow, popping out against the blue sky. The sky is the rest of the image

The Main Attraction: Activities The Ski Hill

This is a ski town after all, obviously the main attraction is the ski hill!

There are actually two ski hills at Mont Saint-Sauveur. Well, it’s the same mountain, just two different sides. You can actually buy a ticket to one of them, and still ski on the other.

Summit St. Sauveur is the main ski hill. There’s a bunny hill where they offer skiing lessons, but the rest of the trails are mostly diamonds and double diamonds for more advanced skiers. There’s also a snow park here for fun!

The other side, Versant Mont Avila, is a bit of a smaller hill making it better for beginner skiers and snowboarders.

If you aren’t into skiing or snowboarding, there’s also a hill just for tubing at Mont Saint Sauveur!

Ski hill near montreal getting close to night time. There are two ski trails that are open, and a chairlift going up one of them. Trees are in between the run separating each trail. People are walking around in full snow gear at the base of the mountain with skis and snowboards. There is a blueish tint to the photo.

Nearby Ski Resorts

The reason why Saint-Sauveur is a favourite place to stay in the winter is for the ski hill options in the area.

Sommet Saint-Sauver Versant Avila is great for a few days but you may want a change of hill after a bit.

There are actually 4 other ski hills that are a part of the Saint-Sauveur Valley that are a short drive away.

The next closest to Sauveur is Mont Habitant only 6 minutes away by car. Mont Olympia is an 8 minute drive from the town. A whopping 9 minute drive away is Mont Gabriel. Then Morin Heights is about a 13 minute drive from Sauveur.

Related

Mont Tremblant Vs. Saint-Sauveur: Which Is Better?

Essentials To Pack For A Winter Getaway In Saint-Sauveur

You’re going to need a few winter essentials if you’re planning on visiting Saint-Sauveur in the winter. As I mentioned, going up north is always colder than the city in Montreal.

But you can still follow my winter packing list for Montreal as a guide for what to bring, and take advantage of my printable packing guide so you don’t forget a thing!

You also don’t want to forget some ski essentials that may come in handy while you’re up north…

close up woman blundled in scarf and hat you can only see her eyes snow blurred background

If you already have ski equipment, you’ll obviously want to bring that. If you don’t, that’s not a problem. Every ski hill has equipment for you to rent.

If you’re looking for a place to buy for the season, I recommend Poubelle du Ski in Montreal.

You’ll want to pack all your basic ski gear as well: ski jacket, snow pants, a helmet, goggles, hat and gloves.

Hand and feet warmers are a must if you’re going skiing. I also like bringing a ski lock to make sure no one steals your skis/ board while you’re in the chalet warming up.

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thumbs up with winter gloves on snow in the background

What To Do In The Summer In Saint-Sauveur

Saint-Sauveur isn’t just for the snow lovers. You can visit Sauveur all year round, including the summer months.

In fact, I love visiting Sauveur even more in the summertime. The weather is better and the days are longer!

Plus you get to enjoy the beauty of the Laurentians and the wide variety of outdoor activities at your fingertips!

Summers At The Summits

During the summer months, the ski hill goes to good use and isn’t just ignored for four months.

The Avila side of the ski hill becomes a mountain bike course for bikers of all levels.

A little cottage house in sauveur main street in the summer. It's a two story house. The house is white with blue paint around the doors and windows. The roof is also blue to match. Sticking out of the roof are two dormers with windows.
In front of the house is a glorious garden filled with red and white flowers. The sun is peaking through creating a golden hue on the left side, but casting a shadow on the house, making it seem a bit in darkness.

Morin Heights becomes an Acro-Nature Park, where you can zip-line through the tree tops. They have courses for families and extreme zip-liners.

But the main attraction in Sauveur is the Saint Sauveur Water Park…

The Saint Sauveur Water Park

If you’re going to Sauveur with the family (or even a group of friends) you need to go to the Saint Sauveur Water Park in the summer.

It’s a great activity, especially on those really hot summer days. The Saint Sauveur Water Park has all your classics, like TONS of water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and kiddie pools galore!

With your Saint Sauveur Water Park ticket, you also get access to 5 F.U.N Park. rides (Sonic, Sputnik, Tree, Planes and Bees).

Related

The Ultimate Guide To Mont Tremblant Village in the Summer

manoir pool in saint sauveur water park. Lounge pool side chairs are lined up on the patio in front of a large pool with adults and kids, but it still isn't too packed. There are cabanas on the right side. Behind the pool is the manoir saint sauveur. You can only see the large green roof with dormers sticking out from it.

Sauveur F.U.N. Park

Parc F.U.N. is exactly what it sounds like – a fun park!

Although I’m not quite sure what F.U.N. stands for, if it’s anything at all!

They have small rides for families to enjoy, a mini putt course, and sometimes even outdoor movie screenings.

Summer Hiking Trails Near Saint-Sauveur

The best part about going to Saint-Sauveur from Montreal is all the nature that surrounds you. You have to take advantage when you’re here!

Surprisingly, you can’t actually hike to the summit of Sauveur in the summer, but you can go to Val David Val Morin about a 20 minute drive away.

If you’re looking to go somewhere closer, Alfred Kelly nature reserve is only a 10 minute drive.

Or for a simple. non-elevated hike along a river, head to Parc Doncaster. There’s a walking trail that takes you in a loop around the park along the river and through the woods. There’s ton’s of perfect picnic spots here too, so make sure to pack a lunch when you visit!

best quebec national parks near montreal. a long exposure photograph to show the smoothness of the rushing water through the rocks in the river. The river runs between green trees on either side.

Spend The Day At Mont Tremblant National Park

One of the best things about going to Sauveur is that you’re halfway to Tremblant.

Mont Tremblant National Park is doable to visit from Montreal in a day, but it’s a lot easier from Sauveur. Instead of being a 2 hour (or more) drive from Montreal its only an hour.

Spend the day in nature at the National Park, rent a canoe, relax on the beach, hike up to the summit, or chase waterfalls.

You can also visit Mont Tremblant Village for dinner afterwards before heading back to Saint-Sauveur.

Bike The P’tit Train Du Nord

If you have bikes, you’re going to want to bring them for a summer trip to Saint-Sauveur. (If you don’t have bikes, don’t worry there are many places to rent, like Espresso Sports).

The best place to bike in the Laurentians is the P’tit Train du Nord. It’s one of my top easy bike trails from Montreal.

It’s a recreational path that used to be the old train route that took passengers from Montreal all the way up north (I somewhat wish that train route still existed for easy trips now!).

You have to make sure to stop at the Café de la Gare for a bite to eat along the P’tit Train du Nord.

biking ptit train du nord st sauveur. three bikes are leaning on their stands on the bottom third of the image. Two are blue, and one is a bright orange. On the left going all the way to the middle of the photo is an old train station building. Today, it has a cafe with seats outside, and a bike rental shop with bikes all lined up outside. The path continues into nature.

Sauveur Summer Essentials

If you’re visiting Saint-Sauveur in the summer, you’re going to be enjoying the outdoors quite a bit, well I hope at least.

You’re going to want to make sure you bring some summer essentials like sun screen and bug spray.

Just like it’s colder up north in the winter, it’s also way buggier in the summer! I always pack a sun hat and sunglasses too! Oh and don’t forget your bathing suit for relaxing by the pool!

You might also be interested in…

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mont tremblant national park from saint sauveur summer. A large wooden dock with 6 chairs at the end, leads you out into the lake with a relaxing view of the mountains in the distance.

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