Canadians know how to make the most of winter and Mont Tremblant is no exception to the rule. In its 80th year of operation, it’s still going strong as a must-see destination for daredevils, inquisitive beginners to the snow scene and eager nature enthusiasts.
Experience Mont Tremblant in Winter – Quebec’s Seasonal Wonderland
Things to Do in Mont Tremblant in Winter
On the other end of the scale, time spent in the stunning and energising Scandinave Spa and its dry saunas, outdoor hot baths and icy, circulation pumping, Nordic plunge pools are a much-needed remedy to the winter workout you will experience daily. It was a perfect refresher after a couple of heavy sporting days.
Here are all the things to do in Mont Tremblant in Winter and why it’s a top choice for snow enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Skiing in Mont Tremblant
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My visit to Mont Tremblant was a part of the #LoveWinter blog trip created in partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Montreal and Tourism Quebec. All opinions remain my own and I’m still learning to love winter – the Canadians just know how to embrace it and turn it into something positive.
Being in a winter haven isn’t just about experiencing skiing and snowboarding. If booked in advance you can choose from a whole host of adventurous activities including tubing at the base of the mountain, dog-sledding, ice skating, snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the surrounding forest area.
Bustling without being overwhelming, and full of action without making you feel too inadequate, Mont Tremblant’s Snow School is an ideal place to learn how to ski and/or snowboard.
Ski and Snowboarding Lessons
What JPK was soon to realise is that I am stubborn, hate failing and that I have a really poor sense of balance. Not really the ideal combination of sorts, but you soon learn that you are not alone – everyone on the specially designated novice slope is learning and no one passes judgment.
If you are serious about learning quickly, a group instructor, while the cheaper option, can be limiting and I will opt for one-on-one in future. I personally need to do something over and over in order to pick it up and waiting around can soon damper your enthusiasm to keep going. Others may like the camaraderie of a group, but it’s certainly something you need to think about.
A village of candy-coloured buildings sprinkled with a dusting of crisp snow; in the distance, gingerbread-style houses nestle between the masses of pine trees; surrounding this, a never-ending canvas of blinding white hills and slopes, populated with weaving coloured speckles of the most discerning of winter sports enthusiasts.
In a part of the village that once housed the very first chalet houses, a couple of bars pump out the tunes a little louder, so not all is lost. If you are looking for the quieter end of resort life, head here during the week like we did but if you are after a thriving scene of nightlife madness, this isn’t the place where you will find it (although annual festivals do take place here).
This is Mont Tremblant – a quaint village in the Laurentian mountains of the eastern Canadian province of Quebec, and a destination that marked my very first experience of what a true winter really is. Here are all the things to do in Mont Tremblant in winter to enjoy the season.
There are 95 runs to tempt you across the peaks – the view of the landscape below, from up high in the cable car, looked stunning blanketed in fresh white power.
Experience Après Ski in Mont Tremblant
Besides, Canadians are known for embracing and making the most of winter, so who better to learn from than them?
before you set out for all the activities on offer, you’ll first find yourself getting aquainted with the cost, colourful and charming Mont Tremblant Winter Village. This is where you will be residing, eating, drinking, enjoying Apres Ski – basically your day revolves around this little hub.
On our first morning, our group of four virgin snowboarders got fully decked out at the rental centre before meeting ‘John JPK’, our instructor for the two-three days we had scheduled in the get a taster for this cool sport – apparently, it’s easier to learn how to snowboard then it is to learn how to ski.
Snowshoeing – Adventure Away From the Slopes
You could easily spend a week learning and experiencing the other adventurous offerings of Mont Tremblant or stay for two weeks or more and experience the various ski villages and surrounding peak runs before spending some time in the stunning city of Montreal.
Still, despite the little screams, the tight hand squeezing, the numerous falls I dubbed as ‘bum sledging’ and the frustrated tantrum that I threw on day two where I sat on the slope and refused to move because “I just can’t do it so what’s the point?” these guys from the Mont Tremblant Snow School made learning fun. Broken down into simple steps, where encouragement is delivered with humour, you soon pick up the basics.
Spa Time – The Relaxing Remedy After Adventure
With an instructor’s patience, despite your potential lack of it, you can actually learn pretty quickly. I’m proud to say that I got down that small slope on a few occasions by myself and, for that achievement, I became a little hooked.
Planning a Winter Break in Mont Tremblant?
Mont Tremblant is also a great option for those wanting to explore the eastern side of Canada, being so close to Montreal, or to combine with a US city holiday as it’s a short flight from New York and Washington DC. Plus it’s only a seven or eight-hour flight from Western Europe if you are looking for a winter break further afield.
Things to Know About Winter in Mont Tremblant
- Mont Tremblant is approximately a two-hour drive from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, where cars and limos can be organised
- Prices for ski and snowboard equipment rental, available from nine outlets on-site, begin at $39.99 upwards, with a minimum half-day rental. Ski lift ticket prices start from $59 for a half-day rental and $79 for a full-day pass
- There are various snowshoeing trails to experience, with prices starting from $15.99 for a two-hour trip
- Access to the Scandinave Spa costs $48, not including massages
- Further information on planning your Mont Tremblant trip and surrounding areas, can be found on the Tourism Quebec website.
JPK’s quotes of “Are you a ballerina or a cowgirl?” “Are you an orangutan or a human?” and “Be a duck!” soon stuck in my mind in relation to how to adjust my posture, move my body and stay balanced. He drew pictures in the snow in explanation and remained smiling even after I had stopped the blood flow in his hands from holding on to dear life when he tried to push me to freestyle freedom.
While Alberta’s tempting Rocky Mountains and British Columbia’s abundance of ski resorts may put Mont Tremblant in the shadows a little, I wouldn’t be too quick to push it aside.
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