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A
skier in Mont-Tremblant
Photo courtesy of Tourisme Mont-Tremblant |
As the highest peak in the Laurentian
Mountains, Mont-Tremblant
towers majestically over a land of winding rivers, immense lakes and lush green
forests. Boasting a summit elevation of 875 metres (2870 ft), an average snowfall
of 382 cm (149 in) a year and over 90 ski trails, the Tremblant year-round ski
resort is the largest in the region. It attracts visitors from around
the globe to its world class ski runs during the winter, as well as to its network
of first-rate golf courses in the summer.
Located 90 minutes north of Montreal,
Mont Tremblant is situated in the centre of the Laurentians, and at the doorstep
of Parc
national du Mont-Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant National Park). Ville de
Mont-Tremblant consists of: the Tremblant resort, with its abundance of hotels,
multi-coloured buildings and pedestrian streets lined with bistros,
designer
boutiques, chocolateries
and gourmet restaurants;
historic Mont-Tremblant Village, with its quaint cafes
and charming buildings; and the nearby village of Saint-Jovite.
There are a host of activities available to visitors in Mont-Tremblant, from
exploring the lakes and rivers of the national park, riding a dogsled or visiting
a traditional sugar
shack, to relaxing in one of the town's luxurious spas,
exploring the designer shops
or sampling the Quebecois cuisine.
The pedestrian streets of Mont-Tremblant bustle with activity during the town's
numerous festivals, such as the Festival
International du Blues de Tremblant, or Mont-Tremblant International
Blues Festival, which attracts musicians and visitors from around the globe
to enjoy this breathtaking setting.
HISTORY
The Laurentian Mountains were surrounded by wild, sparsely occupied land until
the late 19th century, when French Catholic priest Father Antoine Labelle arrived
and decided to populate northern Quebec with French Canadians. In a span of
about 10 years, he travelled the area, chose locations for future villages,
and helped to establish over 5,000 settlers on their own pieces of land.
Father Labelle saw the area's tourism potential, and pushed for the construction
of the Montreal to Saint-Jerome railway line in 1879. The railway spurred development
in the Laurentians, leading to the eventual growth of tourism in the area.
In 1938, a young gold prospector from Philadelphia named Joseph Bondurant Ryan
climbed to the summit of Mont-Tremblant (which in English translates to trembling
mountain), and, upon seeing the magnificent views, vowed to establish a village
there. One year later, the Mont-Tremblant Lodge opened and the area's first
days as a tourist destination began.
Eventually, thousands of travellers began taking the train from Montreal to
Mont-Tremblant to ski in the winter or to take their vacation in the summer.
The trip to the Laurentians was so popular that the route became nicknamed Le
P'tit Train du Nord (The Little Train of the North).
In 1991, one of the major ski resort companies in Canada arrived in Mont-Tremblant,
and began to create the state-of-the-art recreation facilities that have made
it the popular ski resort that it is today.
In 2000, the communities of Mont-Tremblant, Lac-Tremblant-Nord and Saint-Jovite
joined together to form Ville de Mont-Tremblant, a tourist-oriented territory
that includes numerous hotels, golf courses, restaurants, shopping districts
and spas.
Today, many of the original 1930s-era buildings constructed by Joe Ryan can
still be found, in the Vieux-Tremblant (Old Tremblant) district.
ACCOMMODATIONS
A wide range of accommodation
choices, from upscale to budget, are available in Mont-Tremblant. Youth hostels
offer budget travellers cheap prices for dormitory accommodations or double
rooms, as well as low-priced breakfasts. A shuttle
service is offered between the Montreal and Mont-Tremblant youth hostels
during peak season (from approximately January to March).
Other accommodations include an abundance of hotels,
from small and quaint to large, upscale hotels, most including gyms, pools and
daily maid service. The resort's hotels are all centrally located and allow
for quick access to the ski
hill, restaurants
and shops.
Several bed
and breakfasts provide an affordable choice for families or budget travellers,
all offering complimentary breakfast. Those wishing for more privacy can opt
to rent a vacation chalet or condo. These vacation
home rentals are ideal for families or groups, featuring several bedrooms,
a kitchen, common room, and often including amenities such as washer/dryers,
full kitchens and baths, fireplaces, saunas, hot tubs and pool tables.
CLIMATE
| |
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-14°C
(6°F) |
-5
(23°F) |
90
mm |
| Feb |
-13°C
(8°F) |
-3°C
(37°C) |
74
mm |
| Mar
|
-6°C
(21°F) |
2°C
(35°F) |
85
mm |
| Apr |
1°C
(33°F) |
11°C
(51°F) |
76
mm |
| May
|
7°C
(44°F) |
19°C
(66°F) |
100
mm |
| Jun
|
13°C
(55°F) |
23°C
(73°F) |
110
mm |
| Jul |
15°C
(59°F) |
26°C
(78°F) |
119
mm |
|
Aug |
14°C
(57°F) |
25°C
(76°F) |
120
mm |
|
Sep |
9°C
(48°F) |
20°C
(68°F) |
124
mm |
|
Oct |
4°C
(39°F) |
13°C
(55°F) |
96
mm |
|
Nov |
-1°C
(30°F) |
5°C
(41°F) |
106
mm |
|
Dec |
-2°C
(28°F) |
-10°C
(14°F) |
109
mm |
|
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Average
Daily Temperatures and Climate Data for Mont-Tremblant |
Mont-Tremblant
has a continental climate, often providing ideal weather conditions for the
four seasons resort. In the winter, the hill receives abundant snow for the
ski season, while the summers are very warm, suitable for golfing
and other outdoor activities.
Visitors should bring a warm jacket and winter boots during the winter season,
as the area normally receives a large snowfall, with the greatest amount in
November and December.
Spring and summer seasons are generally warm, with temperatures in the summer
reaching the mid-to-low 20 °C (70 °F). There is considerable rainfall from May
to September, so it is advisable for visitors to come prepared with an umbrella
or rain jacket during these months.
TRANSPORTATION
While the Little Train of the North is no longer operating, it is still very
easy for visitors to get to Mont-Tremblant. There is no shortage of choices
in transportation,
from traditional modes of transport such as airplane,
car rental,
shuttle
or bus,
to more unconventional vehicles, such as snowmobiles.
The Mont-Tremblant International Airport is located 30 minutes from the Mont-Tremblant
town centre, and shuttle service is offered during the winter.
The former Little Train of the North route has now been converted into a trail
for cycling, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. P'Tit
Train du Nord Linear Park, as it is now called, travels 200 km (124
mi) from Saint-Jerome to Mont-Laurier, passing through other Laurentian mountain
villages on the way. A shuttle bus service is also available between the two
towns for those wishing to bike or ski a portion of the trail and receive a
lift in the other direction.
Those wishing to admire the Laurentians
from behind the driver's wheel can rent a vehicle through one of the many car
rental companies in Montreal,
which are located at the airport, Central Station bus terminal and at other
locations around the city.
The major thoroughfare from Montreal to Mont-Tremblant is via Highway
15, otherwise known as Autoroute Laurentienne. A slower, but more pleasant,
route from Montreal to the Laurentians is the older Highway
117.
Limocar
Laurentides buses are a popular mode of transport to Mont-Tremblant
from Montreal. Leaving from Montreal's main terminal, the buses stop in most
major towns. During ski season, special buses operate to various hills.
A municipal
bus service is offered for visitors to Mont-Tremblant. The bus runs
between the Tremblant resort, Village Mont-Tremblant and Saint-Jovite, with
regular service from April to September.
ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
Winter Activities
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A
snowboarder at the Mont-Tremblant ski resort
Photo courtesy of Tourisme Mont-Tremblant |
|
Mont-Tremblant towers
at an elevation of 875 m (2870 ft), features over 90 ski
and snowboarding
trails, more than a dozen chair lifts, and receives an average annual
snowfall of nearly 4 m (13 ft). The site also features 18 acres (7.2 ha) of
ramps, rails, jumps and a superpipe.
As skiing is the main reason many visitors go to Mont-Tremblant, an array of
vacation packages are available, usually including several days of accommodation
and skiing, some meals and parking. Season passes are also offered for special
rates. Skiing
classes
and equipment
rentals are available as well.
Those who prefer cross-country skiing can explore the vast network of over
290 km (180 mi) of trails that wind through the varied Laurentian landscape,
scattered with forests, fields, lakes, mountains, streams and rivers.
Another popular activity at Mont-Tremblant is dogsledding.
This unique activity gives visitors the chance to drive their own team of husky
dogs through the Laurentian wilderness.
Other winter activities at Mont-Tremblant include ice
climbing, horse-drawn
sleigh rides, snowmobiling,
snowshoeing,
tubing (tobagganing with an inner tube) and cross-country
skiing tours.
Another favourite pastime any time of year is visiting one of Tremblant's many
spas.
Both Scandinavian and Hammam baths are found here. Scandinavian baths typically
feature Finnish and Norwegian baths, outdoor hot tubs and thermal waterfalls,
while Hammam baths consist of a warm, steam-filled room with comfortable sitting
areas, where visitors can wait prior to their massage.
Summer Activities
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Golfing
in Mont-Tremblant
Photo courtesy of Tourisme Mont-Tremblant |
While Mont-Tremblant is known mainly for its world-class ski facilities, the
area also offers an abundance of summer activities. During the spring and summer
months, numerous professional golf
courses make the area a popular golfing destination.
Two of Tremblant's best-known golf courses are Le Geant (The Giant) and Le
Diable (The Devil), which are 18-hole courses with impressive mountain views.
The proximity of Parc
national du Mont-Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant National Park) is also conducive
to an array of summer outdoor activities. Located about 25 km (16 mi) from Mont-Tremblant,
the park, which is Quebec's oldest and largest protected region, takes up an
area of over 1500 km (932 mi) and is home to hundreds of lakes, mountainous
terrain, hiking
and biking
trails, waterfalls, winding rivers and peaceful lakes. The area also provides
natural habitat for various wildlife, such as black bears, wolves, moose, beavers,
deer, foxes and bald eagles.
Visitors can explore the provincial park, and try to catch a glimpse of the
wildlife that inhabit it, via the network of hiking
and cycling
paths, or by the canoe
routes that wind their way through the lush forests of the area. There are a
number of campsites in the park where hikers or paddlers can stop for the night,
but most sites are basic. The most developed area is the Diable region (the
area closest to Mont-Tremblant), where many campgrounds
have showers. The interior and eastern sections of the park are further off
the beaten track, and these isolated spots are where wildlife sightings, particularly
of moose or bears, are most likely.
A good way to appreciate the impressive surroundings of Mont-Tremblant is by
riding the panoramic
gondola
up to the summit during the spring and summer. At the summit, an observation
tower provides a breathtaking view of the Laurentian Mountains, nearby lakes
and Mont-Tremblant Provincial Park.
Other summer activities at Mont-Tremblant include horseback
riding, rock
climbing, kayaking,
white
water rafting, swimming,
waterskiing,
wakeboarding,
fly-fishing,
airplane
tours,
ATV
(All Terrain Vehicle) tours, alpine luge (which involves riding a non-motorised
cart down a paved moun tain trail) and guided
cycling tours.
Restaurants & Shopping
|
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A typical street
scene in Mont-Tremblant
Photo courtesy of Tourisme Mont-Tremblant |
|
The pedestrian streets of Mont-Tremblant wind through the colourful buildings
of the Tremblant resort village--located at the foot of the mountain and parallel
to Lac-Tremblant (Tremblant Lake)--passing by quaint cafes,
creperies,
chocolate
shops, ethnic restaurants
and an abundance of shops.
Visitors can sample Quebecois cuisine at many of the restaurants around town.
The local cuisine consists of a combination of wild game such as venison or
caribou, mountain trout, rabbit and traditional French sauces.
Another traditional Quebecois food that visitors can get a taste of is maple
syrup. Visiting a cabane a sucre, or sugar
shack, is an experience in itself. At these cabins, where maple syrup
is collected by tapping maple trees, visitors can try maple taffy on snow (a
traditional Quebecois treat) and other maple products.
Browsing through the stores of Mont-Tremblant reveals a wide mix of products.
Designer
clothing boutiques are located beside gift
shops, leather
boutiques and bookstores.
Most are located along Tremblant's pedestrian streets, allowing easy access
to stores and providing a unique atmosphere.
Arts & Entertainment
With the impressive mountain landscape around Mont-Tremblant serving as inspiration
for painters and other artists, it is not surprising that there are many art
galleries here. Local galleries offer original Inuit sculptures, paintings
by renowned Quebecois artists and objets d'art (art objects) from Quebec.
Whether it's the sound of blues music floating out from cafes and bars,
the rumbling of car engines at Mont-Tremblant's speedway, or a series of events
to mark the changing colours of autumn, the region nearly always has a festival
or special event to spice up the streets of the alpine village.
Some of the major festivals include: Les
Rythmes Tremblant, from June to August, which attracts a wide variety
of musicians over the course of eight weekends; the Festival
International du Blues de Tremblant (Tremblant International Blues Festival);
Beach Fest
in early July; the Wine
and Game Festival in October; and the Symphony
of Colours, an autumn festival of various events and activities in September
and October.
In the summer, a popular event is the series of international automobile racing
competitions held at the Championnat National du Canada speedway, from mid-June
to the end of September. Various other sports competitions attract the crowds
to Mont-Tremblant throughout the year, including the Canada and Quebec mountain
biking cups, the Tremblant
Women's Futures international tennis competition and other sports events.
