Montreal's West Island stretches along the shores of Lac Saint-Louis and Lac des Deux Montagnes, from Pointe-Claire and its lakeside village to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue at the western tip of the island and the big green spaces of Pierrefonds. Late fall and early winter bring quiet forest trails, local wildlife, handmade holiday markets and a village tree lighting by the water. These date ideas for November and December stay in the West Island and are built around places and events with official details posted for the season.
Forest Walks and Wildlife in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Morgan Arboretum: McGill's forest reserve on chemin des Pins is open every day except Christmas and New Year's Day. Buy your day pass at the Gatehouse between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and you can stay until the site closes at 5 p.m. Pick a trail through the trees, walk slowly and listen for birds. Payment is by debit or credit, and dogs are not allowed on a day pass. Bring a thermos and a pair of mittens, find a bench or a quiet clearing, and take a few minutes to sit in the stillness of the woods together. Come back after the first good snowfall to see the same trail transformed.
Ecomuseum Zoo: This small zoo at 21125 chemin Sainte-Marie focuses on the wildlife of Quebec, including animals such as wolves, foxes and otters. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including holidays, and closes only on December 25. Bundle up and visit on a cold morning, when the animals are often at their liveliest. Choose a favourite animal each and compare notes at the end.
A Christmas Market in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Marché de Noël in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue: On Saturday, November 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Centre Harpell hosts a Christmas market full of unique handmade products from local makers. It is open to everyone. Give each other a small budget and a secret mission: find one gift the other person would never pick for themselves.
A Holiday Weekend in Pointe-Claire Village
Salon des artisans at Stewart Hall: On November 28 and 29, the Stewart Hall Cultural Centre at 176 Bord-du-Lac Lakeshore Road fills with artisans. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Christmas carollers sing at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., there is a printmaking workshop for making your own greeting card, and the gallery upstairs shows the new 2027 Art Rental Collection. Make a card for each other and swap them at the door.
Light Up the Village in Pointe-Claire: That same Saturday, November 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Pointe-Claire lights up its lakeside village. Drop in at the municipal lot at the corner of Cartier Avenue and Lakeshore Road, then wander the village streets together under the new lights.
Art by the Lake in Pointe-Claire
New Dawn in Stewart Hall Park: Outside Stewart Hall, the park by the lake hosts New Dawn, an outdoor exhibition by Clara Lacasse that takes a documentary and poetic look at the renovation of the Montreal Biodome. It runs until June 2027, so you can see it on any lakeside stroll. Walk the park, stop at each image and share what you think it hides. Waterproofing work at the building runs until November 2026, so some entrances may be closed.
Winter Trails at Cap-Saint-Jacques
Cap-Saint-Jacques: In Pierrefonds, the Cap-Saint-Jacques sector of the Grand parc de l'Ouest covers 330 hectares bordered by Lac des Deux Montagnes and Rivière des Prairies, with paths that offer views of the water. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Walk past the organic farm and the historic Château Gohier and Maison Thomas-Brunet, then warm up at one of the two heated welcome centres. Once there is snow and the winter trails open, the park offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding, so check the trail status before you go.
Sample Date Itineraries
Sainte-Anne Saturday: Spend the morning of November 21 at the Ecomuseum Zoo, then head to the Centre Harpell for the Marché de Noël before it closes at 5 p.m.
Pointe-Claire holiday day: Visit the Salon des artisans at Stewart Hall on November 28, walk past New Dawn in the park, then stay for Light Up the Village at 4:30 p.m.
Winter nature date: Walk the Morgan Arboretum trails in the morning, then drive to Cap-Saint-Jacques for an afternoon by the water.
Pro Tips
Watch the light: The arboretum closes at 5 p.m. and winter days are short, so start forest walks early.
Bring a card: The arboretum takes debit and credit only, and Cap-Saint-Jacques parking is paid.
Check trail status: Winter trails at Cap-Saint-Jacques open only when conditions allow.
Dress in layers: Lakeside wind can be sharp in November and December, so pack hats, gloves and warm boots for every outdoor stop.
Pair east and west: Pointe-Claire and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue are a short drive apart, so one day can easily cover stops in both.
Confirm the day of: Event details can change, so check each official page before you head out.
The West Island rewards couples who slow down. Pick a forest trail, a lakeside park or a village lit up for the holidays, and enjoy the season together.
Photo credits: Morgan Arboretum, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue by Loracco, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pointe-Claire windmill by RedAndr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Farm at Cap-Saint-Jacques, Pierrefonds by Parcours riverain - Ville de Montréal, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.