To get far, far, far away this fall, you don’t need to go all the way to Europe. The evening breeze is cool, the fall equinox is just around the corner, and we’re craving melted cheese, long walks with fallen leaves crunching underfoot, pumpkin lattes, and vast gray skies in the mountains.
To spend a day just like in Switzerland, we recommend taking a stroll through Mont-Tremblant, a village built in the style of an Alpine ski resort, to enjoy a change of scenery while still taking in the stunning fall colors for which Quebec is world-renowned.
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MONT-TREMBLANT, THE ALPS, AND WALT DISNEY
The village is located on land that was taken from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation in the 17th century. According to some, they called the mountain (which was renamed “Mont-Tremblant”)Manitonga Soutana—the Mountain of the Spirits.
Until the 19th century, settlers lived in isolation on the mountainside, until 1892, when the railroad connected them tothe transportationand commercialhubs ofthe rest of the country.
In 1938, a wealthy American from Philadelphia who had come to the mountains in search of gold decided to transform the lower part of the valley into aclassic Alpine village. He built it to resemble Old Quebec, and the Alpine village “Mont-Tremblant-Lodge” opened its doors a year later.
In the 1990s, a Canadian tourism company took over Mont-Tremblant and modernized and developed the village we can visit today. In addition to a history worthy of a moral tale rewritten by Walt Disney, the village itself was built with the intention of beingfairytale-esque.
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OUR FAVORITE (AND SLIGHTLY SWISS-INSPIRED) SPOTS IN MONT-TREMBLANT
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LA SAVOIE RESTAURANT
For a taste of the Alps, dairy farms, and wooden clogs, head toLa Savoie restaurant, which serves fondues and pierrades and melts kilos upon kilos of cheese all season long (preferably after a hike).
Where? 115 Chemin de Kandahar, Mont-Tremblant
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A HIKE IN THE MOUNTAINS AT MONT-TREMBLANT NATIONAL PARK
Mont-Tremblant National Park is Quebec’s oldest national park, established in 1895, and there are plenty of trails to explore beneath the tall trees on the mountainside.
The hiking trails are open until the first snowfall of the year, and there are 82 km of trails—you can visit waterfalls, take a short hike, or climb to the top of the mountains to see the entire region. The mountainous landscapes are breathtaking and are every bit as beautiful as those in Switzerland.
You can also camp there—in a “ready-to-camp” site, which is ideal for fall, and best enjoyed with two or more people to stay nice and warm.
Pack your gear, fill your water bottle with pumpkin-flavored cider, and spend the day in the forest this fall.
Website? sepaq.com/mot
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LA MAISON DE LA CRÊPE
A sugar crepe is very European, and it’s a classic treat to enjoy after a hike through the fallen leaves.
For a crêpe with sugar, head to the Maison de la Crêpe, located in a small farmhouse with a red roof and a dark wood dining room.
Where? 127 Chemin de Kandahar, Mont-Tremblant
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