Quebec

Quebec Mountain Getaway: A Summer Weekend in Mont-Tremblant

From the lively notes of a Blues Festival to the surge of adrenaline as you scream through the treetops of the Laurentians.

The moment you step from that first platform and catch the wind from the summit, whether ziplining or carving through snow – Mont-Tremblant will win you over every time.

Skiing, hiking, great food, and the spa – a Mont-Tremblant weekend getaway is a respite from your work week, a relaxing romantic retreat, and a coveted break from the city. It’s the ultimate attainable Quebec vacation.

But, did you also know there are several music festivals from spring through fall? Mont-Tremblant is breathtaking, fun, family-friendly and romantic too. If you thought it was just for skiers you couldn’t be more wrong. Tremblant is for travellers of all ages and you can easily find exciting things to do there every season.

A Tremblant mid-summer audience is dramatically different than the chilly February winter sports enthusiasts. Gone are spent skiers sipping hot chocolate and eating chili, replaced by families, music lovers and outdoorsy adventure seekers, content with craft beer or wine, and pizza.

A Summer Weekend in Mont-Tremblant

Exploring the Village

Take a walking tour of the village at Mont-Tremblant. Do some shopping. There are dozens of gorgeous shops featuring the latest women’s clothing, outdoor hiking gear, great food, and souvenirs of your stay. Forgot your hiking boots, or your boot bag? No problem. You can pick up what you need at Adrenaline, Burton Tremblant, Columbia or Atomic Tremblant. Chamonix has seasonal women’s styles for you too.

One of my personal favourites in the village is David’s Tea. In the summer try their iced teas and take some of their loose leaf mixes home. In the fall and winter, hot tea or tisane (herbal teas) are perfect after a day spent skiing or hiking on one of the 96 trails. BeaverTails at Queues de Castors are a decadent treat for those of us that have a sweet tooth. Definitely a true Canadian dessert, this treat gets loaded up with apple pie toppings, Oreo crumbles, or Reese’s pieces. There are many sweet variations of this delicious snack. Try one after your hike, or day of adventures. Go ahead you earned it.

Arts & Culture:

Browse one-of-a-kind pieces from professional artists at Galerie d’Art Pion. Realistic and playful pieces by local artists decorate the walls of this gallery owned by a woman named Pion. Galerie Soutana, on Chemin de Kandahar in the village, exhibits native arts and crafts from South and North America. Take home a little sliver of the spirit of Tremblant from either gallery.

Food:

Foodies will love these restaurants in the village at Mont-Tremblant resort. Depending on the time of year these exceptional eateries can be extremely busy so best to call ahead and make reservations. Most are fairly casual and family friendly. Casey’s offers pub fare and there’s a small grocery store nearby in the village if you need one.

Pizza Lovers have to try Pizzateria on Chemin de Kandahar. The flatbread pizza is delicious and the kid’s menu is perfect for little ones. Try smoked salmon focaccia and for meat lovers there’s Italian Bacon, or Italian Sausage pizza.Veggie pizzas are popular and gluten-free crust is available too.

Meet your new favourite fondue spot, La Savoie. Be transported to a European village the moment you enter this small, cozy restaurant. Trust that while the cheesy aroma might be a bit unfamiliar, and the prices a bit higher than an average meal out, La Savoie is worth it at least once during your stay. There have been a few attempts at fondue at various other restaurants I’ve visited since, but they are nothing compared to this dream spot. Dip your chicken in buttermilk and then a light breading and elevate chicken to an entirely different plateau. Large group? One word: Raclette.

Microbrasserie La Diable is a low-key lunch or dinner spot offering burgers, ribs, salads and craft beer, enjoyed inside or out. Beer lover? Try the flights of craft beer and discover a new go-to drink. Fun fact: La Diable was the first craft microbrewery in the Laurentians.

Ermitage du Lac

Travelling with family? Multigenerational trip? Then you might need a larger condominium or apartment option. Ermitage du Lac is the perfect spot if you want to be close to the mountain itself and you have a big family. Many of the suites and apartments are large, comfortable and with the potential for further savings by cooking up the occasional meal in the kitchenettes. In the winter months, these suites overlook the skating rink, as well as a peaceful view of the chapel year-round. In summer months, Ermitage du Lac is walking distance to Skyline Luge and Le Géant golf course. Then again, designed with the pedestrian in mind, most village activities are just a short walk away.

Ermitage du Lac

Mont-Tremblant
8.9 Excellent (2395 reviews)

Holiday Inn Express and Suites

Holiday Inn Express and Suites is convenient and close to all the action at Mont-Tremblant. Breakfast is included and it is just steps away from the shops in the base village. Clean and comfortable, this hotel finds itself a very short walk to the Cabriolet gondola. Maybe you wonder about the noise from the concerts nearby during the spring and summer festival season. I stayed here during Blues Fest and had a care-free stay.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tremblant, an IHG Hotel

Top rated
Mont-Tremblant
8.9 Excellent (3398 reviews)

Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant Quebec

Just around the corner from the Mont Tremblant Activity Centre, and steps away from ski lifts is the four-star Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant Quebec. This pet-friendly resort is home to an outdoor heated, saltwater pool and whirlpool, fitness centre and Amerispa on site. The Cabriolet gondola passes over this gorgeous property surrounded by pine trees and colourful village buildings on the horizon. Snap a photo to remember where to stay next time.

Le Westin Tremblant

Top rated
Mont-Tremblant
9.0 Excellent (2045 reviews)

Auberge Le Lupin Bed and Breakfast

Auberge Le Lupin Bed and Breakfast is a top-rated guest property that’s just 1.2 kilometres from Tremblant. Although it’s a bit further than a stay here in the village, bed and breakfasts can be private and romantic leading to a different kind of stay.

Auberge Le Lupin-Self Check-in

Top rated
Mont-Tremblant
9.6 Excellent (352 reviews)

Fairmont Tremblant

Meanwhile, if you want all five stars, why not stay in the top-rated Fairmont Tremblant? With pools inside and out, a health club and spa too, it’s worth it to pamper yourself and stay here. Fairmont service is always exceptional and that’s the case here too. Mont-Tremblant public beach is a ten-minute walk and this dog-friendly space is a quick 45 minutes from the Mont-Tremblant International Airport. We’ve flown to Quebec through the Mont-Tremblant International Airport and love it for its charming log cabin feel and cozy atmosphere. It’s an efficient small airport that works hard to get you in and out quickly to enjoy every moment of your weekend getaway. Of course, Tremblant is a manageable drive too from several Ontario, Quebec and eastern US cities.

Fairmont Tremblant

Top rated
Mont-Tremblant
8.8 Excellent (2179 reviews)

Hotel Quintessence

Pamper yourself and your partner with a stay at the five-star top-rated Hotel Quintessence, a family-friendly all-suite hotel with outdoor infinity pool and a full-service spa. On-site dining is available at the Restaurant La Quintessence and Wine Bar.

Hotel Quintessence

Top rated
Mont-Tremblant
9.8 Excellent (961 reviews)

The Great Outdoors and Adventure Activities:

From May to October, ziplining from the summit to village is a wild ride. Ziptrek Ecotours are outrageous fun and a must-do. Have a celebration on your trip away? Whether a birthday or milestone, what better way to remember the occasion than trying an adrenaline-inducing outing. Last year I spent my birthday here and it was a thrilling and exhausting three hours of intermittent hiking. Soaring over the trees, flipping upside down or racing your partner across the sky towards the next set of ziplines absorbing the glory of the mountains below, you will not regret this adventure.

Ride the Cabriolet up and down from the base area. The views from the top are picture perfect for your photos or selfies. In the winter, this cabriolet is a necessity to get you to the ski lifts. In the summer, it’s just for fun and taking in the view of the village from above. But before you do that be sure to stop in at The Sugar Shack and roll some delicious maple taffy on ice.

When the snow melts there’s a fun mini golf in the village as well as several family rides. For a ski family like ours, it’s a shock to see the snowy mountains of Tremblant transformed into a playground for kids of all ages. Don’t miss the Skyline Luge, kid’s splash pad, rock climbing tower or the Eurobungee! These features are better than any amusement park out there. They are extra, so grab an activity pass to save some money.

Set your sights on Mont-Tremblant National Park and hike for hours, or canoe on the Diable River. The views of the Laurentians as you canoe down the river, are nothing short of brilliant. Back on dry land, the Via Ferrata is a simply incredible experience climbing the side of the Laurentian Mountains one hair-raising corner at a time.

Let the sights and sounds of the International Blues Festival wake you up and lull you to sleep in the middle of the month of July in gorgeous Mont-Tremblant. The Tremblant International Blues Festival attracts acts from all over the world. In fact, the music doesn’t stop with the festival, as open-air concerts in the village liven the atmosphere all summer long.

In August, consider Wanderlust for fitness buffs and yoga enthusiasts. It is hard to imagine a more tranquil or inspiring setting than the natural backdrop of the Laurentians for a challenging group yoga session.

Through the warmer months, Tonga Lumina by Moment Factory is a multi-sensory experience in the forest. Take a 1.5 km night walk on an illuminated pathway. Start at the bottom of the Flying Mile chairlift where a guide will lead you to the midway station and entrance of the trail. This tour lasts about one hour and winds through the forest and across creeks.

Spa & Relaxation

Go get his and hers massages at Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant, nestled on the shores of the peaceful Diable River. Time for a tech detox? Visit this beautiful silent spa, check your phone in a locker or leave it in your hotel room, then follow the directions to get maximum impact from this Scandinavian hydrotherapy experience. This ancient Finnish tradition prescribes the repetition of the hot tub, followed by cold water pool and then relaxation to improve circulation, detoxify the body and activate the lymphatic system. You can also have lunch on site. Trust me, you need this for your girlfriends’ weekend or couples getaway.

Skill Upgrade

Looking to start learning how to ski, snowboard or golf, or potentially seeking to improve your stroke or your skills? There are many trained sports professionals able to help you get started or reach the next level in your practice. Check in at the activity centre, or best to book in advance before arrival to maximize your time.

Year-round outdoor adventures await at Mont-Tremblant. If you appreciate great food, with a blend of European and Canadian influences, and you are willing to work out an appetite outdoors then you will love it here. There’s more than enough charm and activity to make this destination your new favourite spot for a weekend getaway.

Featured image courtesy of Laurentides © TQ/Mathieu Dupuis