This winter, there’s a ski resort just a 1h45-minute drive from downtown Montreal that can transport us directly to the Swiss Alps…
We prepare our pinterest board of Slim Aarons’ Gstaad photos, and grab our tickets for the Mont-Tremblant ski resort.
Alpine skiing in Quebec
Mont Tremblant is one of Quebec’s most beautiful mountains for winter sports, and the ski resort has some of the best runs in the region.
The resort also has one of those very long runs that you do at the beginning or end of the day to enjoy the scenery without the risk of getting a snowboarder on your back because you’re skiing slowly.
It’s a resort for sporty types, where you can ski without ever doing all the runs, all day long, until the last ray of sunshine.
Where? Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort, 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs, Mont-Tremblant
How long from Montreal? 1h45 by car
Website? tremblant.ca
A village from an Andersen fairytale
The village of Mont Tremblant, inspired by the small mountain villages of the German Alps, is a must-see after a day’s skiing.
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 (now renamed “Mont-Tremblant”) Manitonga Soutana – the Mountain of the Spirits.
Until the 19th century, the settlers lived isolated on the mountainside, when in 1892 the railroad joined them to the transportation and trade hubs of the rest of the country.
In 1938, a wealthy American from Philadelphia came to the mountain in search of gold, and decided to transform the lower valley into a classic 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 the helm of Mont-Tremblant, modernizing and developing the village that can be visited today.
In addition to a past worthy of a morality tale rewritten by Walt Disney, the village itself was built with the vocation of being Fairytale-esque.
@monttremblant
To meet Prince Charming, head to Axe Lounge bar, a cocktail bar with a mountain view where you can even take a mixology class (with a little magic thrown in, perhaps?).
Where? 3045 rue de la Chapelle Citq 128365, Mont-Tremblant
For a sugar crepe, go to La Maison de la Crêpe, in a small farmhouse with a red roof and a dark wooden dining room.
Where? 127 chemin de Kandahar, Mont-Tremblant
For a taste of the Alps, milkmaids and wooden clogs, go to La Savoie restaurant, which serves fondues and pierrades (preferably after a hike).
Where? 115 chemin de Kandahar, Mont-Tremblant
Great powder at Mont-Tremblant!