Seven principles. One shared goal: to protect the wild places we love for the people who come after us.
At The Tremblant Activity Centre, Leave No Trace is not a poster on the wall. It's how we operate, what we teach our guides, and what we pass on to every guest who joins us outdoors.
Learn more at leavenotrace.caLeave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics built on science and shared responsibility. Originally developed in the United States, it has grown into a global movement with formal organizations in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and beyond.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1994. It operates programs in all 50 US states and more than 100 countries, with formal national branches in Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Its founding partners in the US include the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Leave No Trace Canada (Sans Trace Canada) is a registered national charity, officially incorporated in 2006 with the support of Parks Canada, MEC, Aventure Écotourisme Québec, and Scouts Canada, among others. Its mission is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through science-based education and partnerships across Canada — coast to coast, in both official languages.
As outdoor recreation grew dramatically in the second half of the 20th century, so did its impact on ecosystems, trails, wildlife, and water sources. Leave No Trace was created to give every outdoor enthusiast — from day hikers to backcountry campers — a practical, science-backed framework for minimizing that impact. The goal is simple: enjoy the outdoors fully, and leave it unchanged for those who follow.
Leave No Trace reaches millions of people each year through workshops, instructor training, youth programs, and partnerships with businesses, parks, and outdoor organizations. The program is used by national parks, guide services, outdoor retailers, schools, and summer camps — anyone who cares about passing on the outdoors in good shape.
These seven principles are the backbone of responsible outdoor recreation. They apply everywhere — from backcountry wilderness to your neighbourhood park — and they are grounded in decades of recreation ecology research.
Know the rules and conditions of the area before you go. Prepare for weather, emergencies, and the specific demands of your activity. Good planning reduces unexpected situations and the impact that comes with them.
Stick to established trails, campsites, and rock surfaces. Walk single file on trails, especially in wet or muddy conditions. Avoid shortcutting switchbacks or trampling fragile vegetation.
Pack out everything you pack in — including food scraps, wrappers, and orange peels. Use designated washrooms or proper backcountry waste disposal techniques. Leave water sources cleaner than you found them.
Observe natural and cultural objects, but leave them as you found them. Do not pick plants, move rocks, or take artifacts. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species from one area to another.
Use established fire rings where fires are permitted, keep fires small, and burn wood completely to ash. Always check fire restrictions before heading out. When in doubt, use a camp stove instead.
Observe animals from a distance and never feed them. Feeding wildlife disrupts their natural behaviour, affects their health, and can create dangerous situations for both animals and people. Store food and scented items properly.
Keep noise levels low. Yield to other users on the trail. Respect the solitude that other guests are looking for. The quality of everyone's experience depends on each of us.
You don't need to be a wilderness expert to practice Leave No Trace. Here's how the principles apply specifically to the activities we have at The Tremblant Activity Centre.