Tiny Mont-Tremblant is home to fewer than 10,000 residents, but it lives large in the hearts of millions of travelers who have fallen in love with this small city in Quebec, just 80 miles northwest of Montreal.
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It’s really two destinations in one. There is the city of Mont-Tremblant itself, which is home to good restaurants, galleries, and shops. Then there is the resort of Mont-Tremblant, which is what most people think of when they hear the name. This is where most of the hotels and tourist attractions are located. Both areas are dominated by Tremblant Mountain, whose natural features are perfectly designed for skiing, hiking, and more.
So what areas should travelers explore? All of them! Picking a home base in the resort area of Mont-Tremblant is smart, since it’s right at the heart of the action. In addition to standard hotels, there’s also a good selection of condo-style accommodations that are great for sports lovers with all their gear.
All the activities in and around the mountain promise to be the highlight of your visit, no matter what time of year you go. Winter is the star here, but there is plenty to do in all three seasons. And don’t overlook the city of Mont-Tremblant itself! It’s just a few miles away, but it’s filled with great experiences that a lot of other visitors miss.
Winter In Mont-Tremblant
Downhill Skiing
Mont-Tremblant is one of the most popular ski destinations in North America. It’s home to 102 trails, including 22 designated as easy ones for beginners, making it a must-visit destination for families and pros alike. The resort is at the very base of the hills, and many businesses have ski-in, ski-out access. It really feels like all of Mont-Tremblant is in on the action.
Mont-Tremblant’s ski scene has all of the charm and attractions of a European ski destination for much less travel and hassle. SKI Magazine ranks Mont-Tremblant as second overall in eastern North America for nightlife, apres-ski scene, family friendliness, local flavor, lodging, dining, and on-mountain food.
Like most full-service ski destinations, Mont-Tremblant has a well-regarded ski school that offers beginner lessons for children and adults and even racing lessons for the most daring. There’s also a rental shop, a ski valet program, and temporary rental lockers to make your visit an easy one.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders will be happy to learn that there are 60 modules across three different parks. One trail in particular to check out is the newly renamed Jasey-Jay Anderson Trail, which honors the Canadian alpine snowboarder and Olympic gold medalist who lives in Mont-Tremblant.
Gondola Rides
If you’d rather check out the scenery than actually ski or snowboard yourself, you can ride up the panoramic gondola to the top of the hill and enjoy a drink while you take in the view. This option is also open to summertime visitors, and rides start at about $15.
Cross-Country Skiing
If you’re not exactly into downhill skiing and would rather explore cross-country, Mont-Tremblant is home to about 75 miles of trails in the surrounding area, including those in Parc National du Mont-Tremblant and Domaine Saint-Bernard. There are an additional 45 miles or so within the town itself that are geared toward intermediate and advanced skiers.
Snowshoeing (And Fondue!)
While skiing is undisputedly the most popular winter activity in Mont-Tremblant, there’s something to be said for snowshoeing. The snowshoers get to enjoy some of the area’s best scenery, with small trails taking them places the skiers could never access. Plus, they can indulge in cheese fondue! An evening package combines a panoramic gondola ride up the mountain and a 3-mile guided snowshoe tour with a cheese fondue dinner (complete with chocolate fondue dessert); it all starts at $104. If you’d rather skip the exercise and just enjoy the scenery and supper, you can follow the same program, but do it in a snow-grooming machine instead.
Skating
There is a free public skating rink by Saint-Bernard Chapel. With music, a fireplace, and free ice-skate rental from many hotels, it’s one of the easiest, least expensive, and most fun activities to enjoy in all of Mont-Tremblant.
Pro Tip: Mont-Tremblant has a robust apres-ski scene, and the best of the best is arguably Le P’tit Caribou, which Forbes ranked the fourth-best apres-ski spot in the world.
Spring In Mont-Tremblant
Cycling
In the spring, Mont-Tremblant has ample opportunities for trail cycling and mountain biking. The 7-mile La Villageoise-de-Mont-Tremblant Trail is great for beginners. It connects with the Linear Park Le P’Tit Train du Nord, a former railway bed that extends some 145 miles. The first 13 or so are paved for easy travels.
Hiking
The highlight of any hiking trip in or around Mont-Tremblant is a trip up to the summit to visit the observation tower. However, if you like your hikes horizontal as opposed to vertical, there are beginner-friendly hikes that start at less than a mile. The area is home to dozens of different animals — plus more than 200 different kinds of birds — so keep your binoculars at the ready.
Studio Creatif
If the spring weather isn’t quite as warm as you had hoped, Studio Creatif is a good choice for a cozy afternoon activity indoors. This art studio allows guests to paint their own pottery, including kitchenware like teapots and mugs as well as novelties and souvenirs. Ideally, after designing and painting the ceramic item of your choice, you’d pop back in the next day to allow time for the staff to fire it in the kiln. But there are alternative finishes for visitors in a rush.
Summer In Mont-Tremblant
Golfing
Golf is hugely popular in Mont-Tremblant in the summer, and guests have a choice of two challenging courses. Le Geant has terrific views of the surrounding Laurentian Mountains. Le Diable describes itself as having “devilish” surprises, red-sand bunkers, and long, narrow fairways. Both courses offer boutique and clubhouse restaurants.
If you’re eager to improve your game, the Tremblant Golf Academy is the place to do it. It’s located on the grounds of Le Diable and works with golfers of all skill levels.
While golf is the perfect warm-weather activity to enjoy during a Mont-Tremblant summer, it’s fun in the fall as well. The weather and conditions might be a bit more unpredictable, but the spectacular fall colors more than make up for it.
Laser Tag
If you’re traveling with the grandkids — or are just a kid at heart — and you want to escape the heat and go inside for some air-conditioning, head to Mission Laser for some state-of-the-art laser tag. It’s silly, fun, and a great way to spend a warm afternoon. If you do happen to visit in winter, note that they have a ski-in, ski-out option.
Competitions
Not all of us can be extreme sport competitors, but it sure is fun to take in the action. Late spring and summer are prime time for intense sporting competitions, including Ironman competitions and the Crossroads mountain biking festival. If you want to be in town at the same time as the sporting events, book early to secure your hotel room.
Fall In Mont-Tremblant
Leaf Peeping
With the exception of skiing, most of Mont-Tremblant’s activities take place year-round, and, if you don’t mind some chilly weather, fall is the best time to try them out. That’s because you can combine your golfing, hiking, or even shopping with some world-class leaf-peeping. The diverse plant life and lush surrounding forests put on a show of spectacular colors every year.
Helicopter Rides
If you don’t mind a splurge, there’s no better way to enjoy the scenery than to go for a helicopter tour. Excursions with Heli-Tremblant start with 10-minute trips for $99 per person and go up to 30-minute trips that can be combined with refreshments for $249 per person. During peak leaf season, these packages are likely to sell out, so booking in advance would be a smart move.
Spa Visits
At Scandinave Spa just outside Mont-Tremblant, guests can enjoy a traditional Scandinavian bath experience. Soothing hot pools and saunas await — as do icy plunge pools. You’ll also find delicious herbal tea, cozy blankets, crackling fireplaces, and plenty of space to relax. You can enjoy a visit here at any time of the year, but it’s at its prettiest in fall, when you can marvel at the autumn colors as you soak up the steam.
Pro Tip: If your idea of the perfect autumn day includes coffee, Au Grain de Cafe is the place to go. One of the oldest coffeehouses in the area, it has a good selection of beans to choose from.
