Once simply a winter ski resort, Mont-Tremblant has transformed into a year-round tourist destination.
Approximately 80 miles (130 km) north of Montreal in the Laurentians, Mont-Tremblant is just over an hour’s drive along the main highway A-15 from Montreal. We would encourage you to take the smaller route QC-327, which is the old highway. While it may double the time, this scenic route
takes you through many of the smaller historic towns and provides many more venues to stop for photos or to enjoy the picturesque landscape.
The Laurentians are actually one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world with rocks that have been found dating back to before the Cambrian Period over 500 million years ago. The landscape of many hilltops and mountains is dotted with over 8,000 lakes. It’s a popular place for chalets and summer cottages.
Native Americans believed the mountain had a spirit living in it causing it to tremble. Likely leading to the name Mont Tremblant (Trembling in French).
Rising to 3186 ft (970m), Mont Tremblant is one of the highest mountains in the Laurentians. It had its first ski lift installed in 1939 and now sports 14 lifts that can take you midway up the mountain or all the way to the top.
There are over 100 trails spanning more than 750 acres. Trails range from beginner to expert and descend along four distinct sides of the mountain. Be careful to come down the same side of the mountain you went up before missing the last ski lift or you’ll have a long way to go to get to your car or chalet.
While the ski season typically opens in late November, the resort has over 1,200 artificial snow making machines which allows them to open earlier and stay operational longer. The opening varies from season to season based on temperature.
Mont-Tremblant’s Old Village
The now popular Mont-Tremblant village and resort was built in the 90s and has continued to expand with growing number of luxury ski chalets, touristy shops and restaurants.
You’ll find the Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn and even a Fairmont Hotel at the base of the mountain in the village. There are also plenty of private condos and chalets to rent.
You’ll be sure to find a poutine (curd cheese and French fries with sauce) and a queue de castor (a sweet sugar-coated pastry with toppings) in one of the many restaurants as well as traditional maple treats.
There are also many sports shops to get you geared up for activities as well as souvenir stores in the growing pedestrian village area.
Tremblant also has a small airport for private jets. Keep an eye out for celebrities that come up to enjoy the area from all over.
No longer just a winter ski destination. Mont-Tremblant is a place to come year-round. Hiking the many trails up the mountain gives you some nice views of the town below. On the way up, check out some of the beautiful waterfalls and forested areas. We enjoyed these in October as the leaves were starting to change color.
Fall is a popular time to come up to see the fall foliage. You can also hike or mountain bike as well as do 4×4 rides along the trails. Summer opens up for water activities in the many lakes which typically warm up quickly in the summer months. Spring has the famous cabane à sucre (sugar shack) maple syrup tasting. Winter is of course skiing and snowboarding and other winter activities followed by the after-ski parties and warming up next to the fire.
Conclusion
While you can opt to stay for any number of nights at the many hotels and chalets, Mont Tremblant is also an easy drive from Montreal making for a fun day trip. You’ll enjoy both the destination as well as the scenic drive there and back.
Beware that during wintertime (Nov-Mar) there can be snowstorms and they don’t salt the smaller roads up north so driving can be treacherous. Keep an eye out for the forecast and drive slowly and carefully on the snowy and icy roads especially if you are not used to it or out of practice.