'''Mont-Tremblant''' [http://www.tremblant.ca/] is a small village in Quebec, Canada, known for the famous Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort. Located in the Laurentian mountain range, Mont-Tremblant ("Trembling mountain" in French) is surrounded by lush boreal forest and breathtaking views, standing at 875 meters (2871 feet).

Despite being a ski resort, in recent years, Mont-Tremblant has become a popular getaway for tourist and locals alike, whether in winter or in summer.

Understand

Mont-Tremblant is divided into two parts. The original village of Mont-Tremblant now goes by the name of '''The Village''', but these days it's '''The Resort''' (aka the '''Pedestrian Village'''), some 13 km away directly at the foot of the mountain, where the action is. Built by Intrawest (the company behind Whistler) starting in 1992, the Resort is a somewhat Disneyland-y concoction of pretty pastel houses, but it looks improbably idyllic in winter with a light (or, not uncommonly, heavy) dusting of snow, maple logs on the fire and lights twinkling in the windows. Vehicles are strictly prohibited — hence the name — and many hotels can be reached directly on ski. A free gondola connects the lower hotels to the ski lifts.

Surrounding the inhabited areas is Mont-Tremblant National Park (''Parc national du Mont-Tremblant''), the biggest park in the SEPAQ network and the first national park to have been created in Quebec.

Get in

By plane

'''Mont Tremblant International Airport''' ({{IATA|YTM}}) [http://www.mtia.ca/}}] has seasonal direct flights to and from several US cities, such as Philadelphia and Dallas. Continental Airlines operates scheduled service to Mont Tremblant airport from Newark, and Porter Airlines from Toronto.

The nearest major airport is in Montreal.

By car

Mont-Tremblant is most easily reached via Autoroute 15 North from Montreal to Sainte-Agathe, where it merges with 117 for the last 30 km (still four-laned highway). Take exit 119 (Montee Ryan) to Chemin Duplessis and follow indications for Tremblant Resort. The trip takes about 90 minutes.

From the west (Ottawa and Toronto), it's ''possible'' to use smaller roads to shave a few kilometers off the journey, but the roads are ''very'' small at times and may be snowed in during the winter. Detouring via Montreal is thus, in all likelihood, the faster option.

By bus

Two intercity bus lines provide service into Mont-Tremblant. The primary service is operated by Groupe Galland [http://www.galland-bus.com/] between Montreal, Mont-Tremblant, and Mont-Laurier. There are generally six trips daily between Montreal and the St-Jovite section of Mont-Tremblant; some trips provide direct or connecting service to the Mont-Tremblant resort. Two of the trips continue beyond Mont-Tremblant to Mont-Laurier. Autobus Maheux [http://www.autobusmaheux.qc.ca/] also provides service to the St-Jovite section of Mont-Tremblant, but the service is restricted to carrying passengers only to points north of Mont-Laurier (local transportation to points between Montreal and Mont-Laurier is provided exclusively by Groupe Galland). During the winter ski season, Skyport [http://www.skyportinternational.com/] provides direct service between the Montreal-Trudeau airport and the Mont-Tremblant resort.

Most bus travelers from Ontario and points west travel first to Montreal, then to Mont-Tremblant. However, it may be possible to save some travel time by going through Ottawa instead of Montreal. Voyageur [http://www.greyhound.ca] operates one bus daily (two buses on Fridays and Sundays) between Ottawa and Grand-Remous, with a connection in Grand-Remous to Autobus Maheux [http://www.autobusmaheux.qc.ca/] for service to and from Mont-Tremblant. Check schedules carefully before travel.

Regional transit bus service is provided by Transport collectif intermunicipal Laurentides [http://www.tcil.qc.ca/]. There are six weekday and two weekend trips that provide service to all points between the St-Jovite section of Mont-Tremblant and Saint-Jerome. There are also two weekday taxibus services to all points between Mont-Tremblant and Labelle. At Saint-Jerome connections may be made with the rush hour only commuter trains between Saint-Jerome and Montreal, operated by Agence metropolitaine de transport [http://www.amt.qc.ca]; and also with daily regional bus service between Saint-Jerome and the Montmorency Metro [http://www.stm.info] station in Laval, operated by C.I.T. Laurentides [http://www.citl.amt.qc.ca/].

Within Mont-Tremblant, daily transit bus service is operated between the St-Jovite section and the Mont-Tremblant resort by a contractor to the local Chamber of Commerce. [http://www.ccdemonttremblant.com/documents/navetteete.pdf]

See

Aside from mildly iconic clocktower in the lower village, there are no sights in Mont Tremblant.

Do

Mont Tremblant is an internationally-renowned '''ski destination'''. It doesn't come cheap though: your basic day pass costs $70/day, plus possible high season surcharges.

Nearby, '''Parc de Mont Tremblant''' is one of the major parks listed in the Parcs Quebec network and features camping, canoe-camping, well-maintained hiking trails, canoe rental. See the SEPAQ website (in French and English) [http://www.sepaq.com/En/index.cfm] for more information and rates.

It's nice to soak your bones in a hot tub after hitting the slopes all day, and there are half a dozen '''spas''' in Mont-Tremblant.

  • Aquaclub La Source. ttp://www.tremblant.ca/activities/winter/activities/aquaclub/index-e.htm. Family-friendy spa and gym complex in the center of the pedestrian village, you can't miss the blue outdoor whirlpool from the gondola. Adult one-day pass to pool and gym $24.10, various discounts and multi-day packages available.

    Buy

    The pedestrian village has a good selection of stores, with a predictable emphasis on high-end winter clothing, winter sports goods and maple syrup-themed souvenirs. There is also one smallish supermarket and several convenience stores for daily necessities. Prices can be high though, and you may be able to save a bit by visiting the original village instead.

    Eat

  • Le Bernardin. 900 chemin du Village. otel Mont-Tremblant. 819) 425-3232. ttp://www.hotelmonttremblant.com/ang/restaurant-ang.htm. Notionally Mediterranean hotel restaurant, popular with the locals for its set lunches: under $15 gets you soup or salad, the main dish of the day and coffee/tea. Don't miss the bison on Thursdays.

  • La Savoie. 15 chemin Kandahar. ieux-Tremblant. 819) 681-4573. 50. A small Swiss cabin tucked away in a corner of the village, this restaurant offers Savoyard fare like fondues and ''raclette''. Expensive, but tasty.

  • Trattoria Di Lago. 1-819-425-5557. 20-45. Winner 2 years in a row of the "Best Restaurant in Mont Tremblant". The trattoria is on the shores of Lake Maskinonge, a few minutes from the Resort. ''Table d'hote'' and 7-course ''prix fixe''. An extensive Italian wine list, and valet service to your door.

    Drink

  • '''Le Diable'''. Popular local microbrewery with half a dozen of their own brews, plus hearty portions of fare like ribs and sausages.
  • '''Le P'tit Caribou'''. Dancing and mingling! A great party place.
  • '''Le Shack'''. Right at the foot of the ski-lifts and a popular spot for ''apres-ski''.
  • Sleep

    Accommodation prices in Mont-Tremblant are highly seasonal: the same room that goes for under $100 on a rainy weekday in the fall may shoot up to over $400 on a holiday weekend in the winter. Book early!

  • '''Chateau Beauvallon''', [http://www.chateaubeauvallon.com].
  • Crystal-Inn Bed and Breakfast. ttp://www.crystal-inn.com. Inn with 4 large rooms, in a quiet pine forest. King-size beds, fireplaces, private bathrooms, generous breakfasts. Hosts arrange packages for skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, spa and helicopter tours.

  • '''Le Grand Lodge''', [http://www.legrandlodge.com]. A four season family resort on the shores of Lake Ouimet - just a few minutes from the base of the Mont Tremblant Ski area. Studios through 3 bedroom apartments are available. Their strong point is their location right on the lake and near a multitude of great golf courses. They have organized family activities and programs just for the children.
  • Residence Inn Mont Tremblant. 70 chemin Cure Deslauriers. 819 681 4000. 819 681 4099. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ymymt-residence-inn-mont-tremblant-manoir-labelle/. PM. oon. 175. Giant Marriott-brand hotel right in the middle of the pedestrian village, directly accessible by both ski and car, but it still manages to retain some rustic charm. The two-floor two-bedroom suites that can easily squeeze in four or even six people are a good deal. In addition to the usual breakfast buffet, free drinks, soup and snacks are served on weekday afternoons.

  • Fairmont Tremblant. 045 Chemin de la Chapelle, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada J8E1E1. 819) 681-7000. ttp://www.fairmont.com/tremblant/. pm. 2pm. Enjoy the Fairmont tradition of impeccable service and quality amidst the majestic views of Tremblant and the pedestrian village at the Fairmont Tremblant Hotel and Resort. The 5-star Fairmont Tremblant hotel offers warm hospitality with 314 guest rooms, including 62 suites. Treat yourself to Fairmont Tremblant's spa, indulge in fine international and regional cuisine, or browse the arcade of shops and boutiques on your way to the pedestrian village. The Fairmont name stands for elegance and luxury, and the Fairmont Tremblant adds a unique Laurentian charm to the Fairmont stable.

    Get out