We arrived in Mont Tremblant as snow lightly fell, and winter cheer hung in the air. We had spent most of our winter in Europe and seen plenty of charming ski villages, but Mont Tremblant had to be one of the prettiest ski resorts yet. It has all the European ambiance and charm, except on the North American continent. Our excitement was hard to contain as we knew there would be so many Mont Tremblant activities to enjoy!
On our way to Mont Tremblant, we traveled all the way from Switzerland only to get stuck in Toronto. Due to inclement weather, our flights into the picturesque Tremblant airport were canceled – it was winter in Canada. We finally arrived at our much-awaited destination just 24 hours later than expected. With winter lights twinkling, fires roaring, and people enjoying the night, we set out to explore Mont Tremblant village.
The village itself is compact and designed to be car-free. Almost everything is a short five-minute walk. There are an endless amount of things to do in Mont Tremblant. From the village center, visitors can access the beautiful mountain, trails, restaurants, shops, an ice skating rink, and restaurants. It only requires thirty minutes in the resort to see the holiday appeal of the ski village. Needless to say, we found Mont Tremblant to be one of the best places in the Northeast for a winter vacation!
Surrounded by the lovely Laurentians, there is no shortage of winter activities to enjoy. That way if you’re not a die-hard skier or snowboarder, you have plenty of activities to stay entertained. If you decide to set your sights on enjoying a ski trip to Mont Tremblant, here are some awesome activities you should try.
10 Best Mont Tremblant Activities
Become a Musher
Do you remember the 1995 animated movie Balto? It’s about a sled dog team in Alaska whose mission was to deliver life-saving serum to a town suffering from a disease outbreak. I have dreamed of riding on a dog sled since I saw this film as a six-year-old. So, the very first activity we did in Mont Tremblant was a team to go dog sledding with a bunch of our furry friends. Don’t worry. No diseases were involved, but lots of snow, dog kisses, and fun.
There are a few different dog sledding operators in Mont Tremblant. To book the dog sled activity, you can head to the activity desk right near the gondola. For a few hours, we could bundle up in the sled – or drive it – and take in the beautiful winter scenery from a different angle with our huskie friends.
Ski/Snowboard!
Mont Tremblant was our first snowboard destination in North America after a month in the Swiss Alps, and I must say it did not disappoint! We spent two days shredding it on the slopes of Tremblant. The summit is almost 900 meters and offers breathtaking views over the Laurentians. The resort pistes spread out from the summit, and there are many possibilities for all ski and snowboard abilities.
Those visitors will find a ski area with 96 ski trails and 79 km of piste with various greens, blues, and blacks. We arrived just after a giant ice storm swept through the area, but we were pleasantly surprised that the pistes were not too icy after. This is due to Mont Tremblant’s incredible snowmaking and grooming abilities, which are considered some of the best in North America.
That way, no matter when you appear in the season, you should have good conditions to ride or ski. Personally, after coming from some massive ski areas in Switzerland and Austria, it was nice to navigate a smaller resort. The resort spreads out around one mountain, and a nice central base makes the resort very family-friendly. That doesn’t mean more experienced skiers and riders won’t have a good time, as some steep groomed black runs and glades make for an exhilarating ride.
Snow Tube
When we arrived at our hotel in Mont Tremblant, we were surprised to learn that guests staying in Mont Tremblant’s main village get free snow tube rentals and access to the snow tubing park in the town. Every night from 6-8 next to the Fairmont, a snow tube run lights up for all to enjoy after a fun day around the village. It’s a fun way to get a little more adventure in before warming up with a hot chocolate by the fire for the night.
Twirl on Skates
Along with the tubing, Mont Tremblant village guests are given free access to the town ice skating rink and skate rentals every day they stay. Even if you have never walked on ice, ice-skating is a right of passage in wintertime in Canada. So there is no excuse to not get out there and strut your stuff!
Hit Up a Brewery
Mont Tremblant’s not all about staying active outside. There’s also a brewery in the pedestrian village with some delicious beers on tap. La Diable Micro Brewery has several craft beers brewed right in-house.
We came here for lunch on one of our ski days and were also surprised by the extensive food menu. There’s pub food, but also salads and wraps for healthy eating. It’s a great place to come after a day on the slopes and relive your mountain tales with friends.
Treat Yourself!
Although Mont Tremblant is a small village, there is no shortage of high-quality restaurants. Whether you are on a family vacation, couples getaway, or friends trip at least one night out at one of these restaurants is essential. We had a couple of memorable meals in Mont Tremblant, but our two favorites were at Coco Pazzo and Le Choux Gras Brasserie Culinaire.
Coco Pazzo is an institution in Mont Tremblant, serving up modern Italian cuisine in a small setting. All of their ingredients come from local sources, and they make many special ingredients in-house. Try the Linguine Pescatore – it’s one of their longest-running menu items since they opened their doors in 1997.
Le Choux Gras Brasserie Culinaire is definitely not a cheap meal, but the food here is top-notch. The French restaurant is a new addition and is located inside the Fairmont. It always features fresh, local, and seasonal products. The menu has a range of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. Reservations are highly recommended for the weekend. If you’re struggling to find a good place to eat, just walk around the beautiful Mont Tremblant village in the winter and see where the crowds are!
Snowmobile Tour
We had been scheduled for a snowmobile tour in Mont Tremblant but had to cancel it when our flight got pushed back due to the ice storm. Snowmobiling is a popular activity in Mont Tremblant, and all of Canada for that matter. It provides yet another great way to take in the beauty of the Laurentians. All novices will ride with a guide, but if you are confident, you can rent one and explore on your own!
Shop Till You Drop
Mont Tremblant’s pedestrian village is filled with shops, restaurants, and hotels. The whole area is walkable, and if you stay in the village, you can get anywhere within five minutes on foot. The village is bright, colorful, fun, and quite possibly the most picturesque North American ski resort we’ve ever visited.
Along the pedestrian village, there are plenty of shops to get some shopping done while in Quebec. There are several well-known outdoor brands and local boutique shops. Mont Tremblant has you covered if you’re not much of a skier or snowboarder and want to relax in a pleasant village.
Catch the Sunrise
Every day, guests in Mont Tremblant have the opportunity to be one of the first on the mountain with a “first tracks” ticket. Lifts officially open for the mountain at 8:30, but those with this special pass open at 7:45.
This means you can watch the sunrise on the mountain and enjoy the freshly groomed trails! This experience is another program that is offered for free with the lodging privileges I mentioned before!
Where to Stay in Mont Tremblant
We called The Westin home while we enjoyed our activities in Mont Tremblant. The Westin is a large hotel situated right in the heart of the pedestrian village. In true Westin style, rooms here were clean, spacious, and comfortable. The rooms here come with a small kitchenette, living room, and gas fireplace to warm up after a day on the slopes.
A ski room to store gear is located only steps away from the gondola, making for an easy walk through town in ski boots. There’s also a large gym and luxurious pool to enjoy. Although the outdoor pool was closed in winter, the outdoor hot tub remained open and served as a nice place to watch the sunset.
Other great options in Mont Tremblant are:
- Fairmont Tremblant: The most well-known hotel in Mont Tremblant. You’ll find a few great restaurants, a heated pool, and mountain views here.
- Sommet Des Neiges: Easily one of the nicest hotels in Mont Tremblant. They offer ski-in/ski-out access right near the pedestrian village.
- La Chaumière de l’Anse: A great mid-range bed and breakfast. Homemade breakfast is served here as well as free parking!
How to Get to Mont Tremblant
Mont Tremblant may be small, but as of recently, it’s well connected with the outside world. Mont Tremblant airport is only a 40-minute drive from Mont Tremblant and services flights to/from Toronto and Montreal with Porter Airlines and Air Canada.
We flew from Toronto with Porter Airlines, which is much easier than driving seven hours from Toronto. A shuttle at the airport transfers arrivals and departures to and from the town for 25 CAD. Mont Tremblant is only a 90-minute drive from Montreal, so it’s possible to take the bus or drive!
Plan For Your Trip
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