Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
Pack your car for the ultimate road trip (or your carry-on for a 65-minute flight from Toronto) and head to Mont-Tremblant in Québec, Canada, for the stuff of which family memories are made in winter, spring, summer or fall. From poutine to panoramic views, there’s an activity for every member of your family—both adrenaline junkies and those who like to keep feet planted firmly on the ground. Heed these tips and travel like a Tremblant pro.
One hundred and thirty kilometres northwest of Montréal, among the Laurentian Mountains, Mont-Tremblant is home to one of the best ski and snowboard hills east of Canada’s famed Whistler-Blackcomb.
As with most major ski hills throughout North America, Tremblant has developed a reputation as a year-round family travel destination. And that’s because it’s so much more than just skiing—though there’s plenty of that, too.
You need not ski, nor even visit when there’s snow on the ground, to fall in love with this charming resort. I know, because before last winter, I didn’t even like cold weather (despite being a bona fide Canuck) much less know how to strap on a pair of skis.
Tremblant changed everything. (And we’ve been five times since.)
It’s a veritable wonderland, teeming with activities for the young and young-at-heart. If you can’t find something to do there that makes you smile, you haven’t looked hard enough. This is where memory-making is at its best, so don’t be surprised if you leave a little piece of your heart here with every visit.
GETTING THERE
You won’t need a vehicle if you stay, play and eat in the village. So if you fly into Tremblant’s tiny but bustling airport, the shuttle is the best way to and from your lodging—book and prepay online and you’ll save 10 percent.
Driving in summertime? Consider coming into the Tremblant core well before nightfall, unless you like the idea of hundreds of nocturnal deer who line the road into the village staring you down.
LODGING
If you’re not a slave to your airline’s schedule, plan to stay at least three or four nights to get your bearings and have enough time to try out several activities but also leave yourself room for downtime. This is vacation, after all.
In winter, choose lodging based on where you plan to spend most of your time. There’s an upper and lower village, connected by a free cabriolet “people-mover” that operates only during the daytime. The walk uphill after dark in the coldest winter months is about my least favorite thing here, so if you think you’ll spend the majority of your days and evenings up at the mountain, pick a hotel in the upper village, such as the Fairmont Tremblant. It matters far less in nicer weather and the lower village is wonderful and shouldn’t be overlooked.
EATING
This is the time to indulge and splurge on at least one fabulous, memorable meal. Try a variety of Tremblant village restaurants, but make dinner reservations before you arrive. They’re always busy and the demand for seating often outweighs the supply. Check out our complete restaurant guide to Mont-Tremblant pedestrian village for the tips, prices and insight on what to order for you and the kids.
HAVING FUN
There are four important things you need to know to take your fun to the next level in Tremblant:
- Take advantage of the kids’ programs. There’s a summer camp and snow school. Do this particularly in winter if you and your kids are at different ski levels. This will ensure you have time to explore the mountain at your own pace, knowing that your kids are well looked after.
- Take advantage of the $5 per night Ski Valet. Unless your hotel has a place to store skis and snowboards, the Ski Valet at the base of the mountain is where you can keep everyone’s skis and boards. It will save you from traipsing them to and from your hotel during your visit.
- Go up the gondola to the summit. Even if it’s summer. Or even if you’re not planning to ski or snowboard down. The panoramic views from 2,871 feet above sea level are breathtaking.
- Try something new. Maybe you’ve never been mountain climbing or snowmobiling. Never heard of horse-sledding? Check it out at Tremblant. Whatever it is, there are dozens of activities to choose from in every season.
SAVING MONEY
In winter, staying at an official Tremblant hotel includes passes for free ice skating and night tubing, while in summer this includes your gondola rides.
In summer, buy the activity passes; they’re going to save you a lot of money. The more activities you buy at a given time, the more you’ll save.
Just book your trip already—I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Tremblant.
And if you’ve never been to Québec, consider exploring other areas before or after your visit to Tremblant. SheBuysTravel Anuja de Silva suggests the Eastern Townships, and I couldn’t agree more.
Kate Keller says
Great article! Our family loves to travel, and this article provides just what every parent needs to plan travel and activities for little ones. Looks like a beautiful escape.
Andrea Traynor, Indulgent SheBuysTravel says
Thank you! It’s one of our fave places on earth…I hope you get to visit one day.
Amanda @MultiTestingmom says
Sounds like a wonderful time! I’ve heard so many great things about Mont-Tremblant.
Andrea Traynor, Indulgent SheBuysTravel says
It’s so wonderful! You’ve heard right.
Erin muir says
This is a great read. We are always looking for new ideas for kid-friendly vacation destinations. Thank you!
Erin Muir says
This is a great read. We also have kids and this sounds like a great destination. Thank you!
Andrea Traynor, Indulgent SheBuysTravel says
Thanks so much – let me know how you like it if you visit!
ChristiNe Tibbetts says
Already love Quebec but do not know Mont-Tremblant. Thanks for the new insight.
Karen says
I have skied Tremblant and was there for the IronMan event in June. Both visits, it did not disappoint! I was worried about being able to entertain my kids while my husband was completing his Triathalon in June, but I quickly learned there was nothing to worry about. We purchased activity passes and wished we had been there one more night so that we could have more time to have fun as a family. The luge was a favourite, as was the European Bungee. The comment about the nocturnal deer is very accurate. We drove up at night, and I would recommend avoiding this if you can. I saw at least a dozen deer peering at us from the woods, ready to pounce, as we drove the last 100 km into Tremblant.
We have booked to go back in June 2017 and have added an extra night. I can’t wait to go back next June. I appreciate the restaurant guide, Andrea. We will try a few of your suggestions next time we are in town.
Andrea Traynor, Indulgent SheBuysTravel says
We went only 2 nights our first time and we’ve learned that 4 or 5 nights for us is perfect. Enjoy!
Debbie says
We are also going for the IronMan in June…where do you stay? Lower Village to be closer to the start line?
Andrea Traynor, Indulgent SheBuysTravel says
I would definitely stay in the village, but I don’t think upper or lower really matters because there’s a free cabriolet that runs during the day to get you up or down. 🙂