Deporte al aire libre

Fifteen outdoor fitness modules at eight stations along the multi use path, from the train station quay to the town hall. QR codes on each machine show suggested exercises and the muscles worked, for beginners and experienced athletes alike. Free to use.

In winter Parc Préville offers a free skating pond, a skating loop for longer skates and a hockey rink, all supervised with a heated chalet. Hours are Monday to Friday 5 to 10 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. once the ice is ready, usually late December to early March. In summer the park has a playground, free BoxUp sports equipment loans and outdoor ping pong.

Skate on a natural frozen lake in the heart of Saint-Bruno, with separate areas for free skating and hockey, a changing area and an attendant. Open in winter from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., only when the green flag is up (red flag means the ice is closed). Access to all city ice surfaces, including the lake, is free.

In winter Parc Saint-Alphonse has an ice ring and frozen pond for free skating plus a rink with boards, with washrooms and a reception pavilion on site. Brossard's outdoor rinks are free for everyone; they open once the weather is cold enough, usually around late December to early March. Helmets are mandatory for children 8 and under. In summer the park has a free outdoor pool and playground.

A beginner friendly cross country ski trail of about 3 km on the Beloeil golf course, groomed by the city and accessible completely free on good winter days, roughly December to March. The trail is not lit, so go in daylight. Bring your own skis.

A free 9 basket disc golf course plus a practice basket in Parc De La Rivière-aux-Pins, on chemin du Lac. Bring your own discs, or borrow a set at the Nation Sport shop at 490 chemin du Lac (Accès-Boucherville card required for the loan). Best from spring to fall when the ground is clear of snow.

A shady Candiac park with an 11 station outdoor fitness circuit, about 650 trees, an amphitheatre, picnic tables, a little free library and the heritage Maison Hélène-Sentenne (1787). In winter a skating ring is set up. Open daily 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; free to use.

A free Trekfit outdoor training circuit in Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, with stations for bodyweight exercises, plus a workout circuit and two ping pong tables. Open year round during park hours with no reservation. Great for a quick workout in the Plateau.

A neighbourhood free skating rink in Parc Molson, a pretty square in Rosemont. Usually open from mid December to early March, weather permitting. Bring your own skates.

A downtown park near the Quartier des spectacles with a free skating rink, a hockey rink with boards and outdoor exercise equipment. Usually open from mid December to early March, weather permitting. The exercise equipment is usable year round; in summer the chalet's active station lends pickleball gear for free.

About 20 km of groomed cross country ski trails (classic and skate) and a 3 km snowshoe trail wind through Mount Royal Park, starting near Beaver Lake. Usually open from late December to March when there is enough snow. Using the trails is free; skis and snowshoes can be rented (paid) from Les amis de la montagne at the Beaver Lake pavilion. Minors living on the island of Montreal can borrow skis and snowshoes for free with proof of residence, with an adult.

Nearly 7 km of marked cross country ski trails on the islands: a 600 m beginner trail at Espace 67 on Île Sainte-Hélène, a 750 m loop at the Plaine des Jeux and a 5 km loop on Île Notre-Dame. Last winter the trails were open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from early January to early March, snow permitting. Skiing is free; parking and equipment rental are paid. Easy to reach by metro (Jean-Drapeau station).