Helicopter Tours in Quebec

Some routes stay close to Montreal, with the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, or Olympic Stadium, while others head toward the Laurentians, around Mont-Tremblant, with Lake Tremblant, the Devil’s River, and the resort area.

Where can you depart for a helicopter tour in Quebec?

The most common departure point for flying over Montreal is from Saint-Hubert, in Longueuil, on the South Shore of Montreal. It is a practical departure point to quickly reach downtown, the St. Lawrence River, and the islands near Montreal.

For flights in the Laurentians, departure is from the Mont-Tremblant heliport. This area makes it possible to offer short flights around the resort, Lake Tremblant, the Devil’s River, and the nearby mountains. There are also more personalized or private flights, but they depend more on the operator, the weather, the available aircraft, and the number of passengers.

Helicopter routes around Montreal

Around Montreal, sightseeing helicopter flights often last 20 or 30 minutes, with the shortest route generally allowing you to stay around the St. Lawrence and the places near the river. You can see Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Old Port, Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Montreal Casino, the Biosphere, and Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

The longer route often adds other parts of Montreal. The flight may pass toward downtown, Mount Royal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Olympic Stadium, and the Boucherville Islands. This type of flight is well suited to a first helicopter experience, because the flight time stays short, but is enough to get a complete view of part of Montreal.

Helicopter flights in Mont-Tremblant

In Mont-Tremblant, flights are more focused on the landscapes of the Laurentians. The formats offered, often 10, 20, or 30 minutes, are enough to see the most interesting places near the departure point. The short flight makes it possible to see the resort and the nearby surroundings. The longer flights make it possible to go farther toward Lake Tremblant, the Devil’s River, Tremblant Village, the Rouge Valley, or the entrance to Mont-Tremblant National Park. Some routes may also offer a stop in the mountains, but this type of option depends on the option chosen.

What aircraft are used?

Helicopter flights in Quebec are often done with light helicopters, including the Robinson R44, the Robinson R66, and the AS350 / H125.

The Robinson R44 is a 4-seat aircraft with 1 pilot and 3 passengers. It is widely used for short sightseeing flights. The Robinson R66 is larger, with 1 pilot and up to 4 passengers. The AS350 / H125 can carry more passengers depending on the configuration, with 1 pilot and up to 5 passengers.

The Robinson R22 also exists in some fleets, but it is a 2-seat aircraft, more often used for training or introductory flights than for a group sightseeing flight.

Which season should you choose?

Flights can take place during several times of the year, but the weather always remains the most important point. A helicopter flight may be postponed in case of wind, rain, low visibility, or conditions not compatible with safety.

In spring and summer, flights make it possible to enjoy longer days. In fall, the Laurentians attract many people for the colors around Mont-Tremblant. In winter, some flights are still possible, but extreme winter conditions in Quebec can limit the available time slots.