Discover Mont Tremblant: A Year-Round Paradise

Tremblant, a bilingual pedestrian village in Quebec’s Laurentian mountains, is celebrated as one of the best ski resorts in Eastern North America and welcomes more than 2.6 million visitors each year. While it has a well-deserved stellar reputation for snow sports, the long summer days are just as exciting.

Winter Brings a Piste of Heaven

As a top-tier ski destination, winter is easily the most popular time to visit Tremblant ski resort. The ski season runs from November to April, with a remarkable $17 million investment in 2018/2019 enhancing the skiable area to 102 trails stretching over 50 miles. Skiers and snowboarders flock to the mountain at all times, particularly for competitions such as The Moguls World Cup in January and The Legends Classic in March. Moreover, even during the high season, skiers of all skill levels can attend snow school and purchase lift tickets at affordable rates.

While Mont Tremblant is a ‘planker’s’ paradise, for snow bunnies, there’s more than just skiing. How does a snowshoe-and-fondue tour sound? With the unique ‘Dinner at the Refuge,’ you can catch a summit sunset before a guide leads you down through the snowy forest to a shelter for the meal. The fondue dinner is paired with wine, but don’t get carried away – you’re only halfway down the mountain. Consequently, you’ll use headlamps to hike the second half under the stars. The trip lasts 5-7 hours; however, for a shorter experience, you can skip the snowshoes and ride in a snow groomer instead.

If you still have some fuel in the tank, take a break from the adrenaline rush with some lower-energy activities, such as fat tire biking, ice skating, and tubing. Just be sure to leave some time for relaxation. No matter what activities you pursue, layers are highly recommended as the temperatures can fall well into the negative digits. Even if you rent your equipment, it’s wise to invest in some of your own extra gear such as facial shields, gloves, and proper footwear. For those who wear glasses, your lenses will fog and freeze up if you don’t treat them with protectant before hitting the trails and slopes.

Summer Activities Are Only Growing

During the summer months, wildflowers blanket Mont Tremblant’s summit in an array of colors due to the region’s mild climate. You’ll see plenty of them on a Ziptrek Eco Tour, flying high above the forest on a 5-line, side-by-side zipline course. In between zips, you’ll learn about the mountain’s ecology and ways to contribute to nature’s balance. Moreover, if water activities are your preference, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available on the Rouge and Diable Rivers, as well as on the beautiful Lake Tremblant. While on the lake, consider boarding the open-air pleasure boat Le Grand Manitou II, where you’ll explore the lake’s shoreline and uncover the region’s stories.

Back in the village, summer isn’t complete without attending the Tremblant International Blues Festival. More than 100,000 fans flock to the festival each July for ten days of blues music across four outdoor stages and various local venues. Legends and newcomers alike headline over 100 live shows, creating a vibrant atmosphere. For something more low-key, find your inner peace at Wanderlust, a four-day yoga festival that caps Tremblant’s summer events in August, featuring concerts, lectures, fitness classes, and silent discos.

Year-Round Indulgences in Tremblant

Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant offers a series of thermal and chilling pools for the ultimate in hydrotherapy along the Diable River, all in complete tranquility. Alternatively, turn up the volume at Casino de Mont-Tremblant as you try your luck at the tables or enjoy a show. Free shuttle service operates between the village and casino. The resort boasts ample shopping and more than 30 restaurants and bars, ranging from a SAQ bottle shop to fine dining options like Choux Gras Brasserie Culinaire (French) and O-Wok (Asian). For mid-range offerings, consider Pizzateria (pizza) or Au Grain de Cafe (coffee). Finally, no mountain town would be complete without its own microbrewery; Microbrasserie La Diable serves a variety of craft beers, including blonde, red, Belgian Trappist ales, wheat beer, double-black stout, and rotating monthly specials.

Hotel Quintessence is a luxurious 5-star retreat on the lake and well within walking distance of the village. Fairmont Tremblant, located at the top of the village, is a popular home base offering plenty of amenities. Additionally, Ermitage du Lac provides single rooms and suites with full kitchens in a boutique lodge setting. For those who prefer sleeping under the stars, campsites scatter the range, including many within Parc National du Mont Tremblant.

If it’s true that ‘to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven,’ then Tremblant offers experiences of ecclesiastical proportions. Whether you’re a ski bum coming for the pristine runs or a summertime outdoor enthusiast, one trip to this jewel of the Laurentians will have you reminiscing for many seasons to come.

Getting There and Around

The resort lies within the Parc National du Mont-Tremblant, approximately 80 miles northeast of Montreal along Hwy 15 or Quebec Route 117. Exploring the surrounding area by car or bike is simple, with plenty of free parking available. However, once you enter the cobblestoned, European-style hamlet, you’ll need to leave your car behind. Everything inside is walkable, providing the whole village at your fingertips. A panoramic gondola offers sweeping views of the region, transporting you to the summit (at 2,871 feet, one of the tallest peaks in the Northeast) in approximately 20 minutes.