A Destination for Everyone: This is Mont Tremblant

My love affair with Mont Tremblant, Quebec during the summer months is well established, and well documented. (See here and here for further inspiration.)

It’s more than the picturesque pedestrian village. It’s more than the lush greenery and peaceful surroundings. It’s more than the feeling that you’ve entered another country entirely, even though you’re only a 1-hr flight from Toronto.

It’s because Tremblant truly offers something for everyone. And this summer, if you’re looking for a break from the ordinary, here’s a Canadian destination you’ll want to place on your “must visit” list.

The Family Fun Seekers. Of course if you’re vacationing with your family, especially young ones, you’ll want to know about how to keep busy (and keep the kids entertained). Maximize your value and purchase an Activity Card; you’ll have a choice of 14 summer-themed activities for all ages (save 10% when booked in advance).
From Eurobungy, Climbing Tower, Le Petit Géant Mini-golf, Aquaclub La Source and more, there’s always something to do! Bonus: many of the activities are rain or shine, so you’ll never be at the mercy of the elements. The activity card is valid 7 days per week, from May 21 to October 16, 2016. You can purchase 3, 5, 7 or 10 accesses, to be used consecutively or not, at a great rate. 

The “Lazy” Long Weekenders. Sometimes, it’s nice to slow down. We often pack so much activity into our weekends, it doesn’t seem like a vacation at all! Set a leisurely pace with a delicious brunch at the Fairmont Tremblant’s Windigo restaurant.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Windigo serves Tremblant’s most generous buffet breakfast until 1 pm. I recommend ordering from the a la carte menu and selecting the Benedict Coureur des Bois: Two eggs Benedict on an English muffin, sausage patty, fricassee of wild mushrooms, grilled asparagus, Mornay sauce, served with seasonal fruit and roasted potatoes.
Fun fact: my husband enjoyed this breakfast while dining at Windigo last summer, and after sneaking a quick taste, I thought about it for 368 days until we returned earlier this month. It was absolutely worth waiting for. (And if I’ve just made you drool a little, I’ve done my job.)

Continue at your leisurely pace with a Tremblant Lake Cruise. Learn a little history while taking a memorable 60-minute cruise on the 7.5 mile-long lake. Aboard “Le Grand Manitou” you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery (and a much different perspective of the Tremblant village) while listening to stories and legends of Mont Tremblant.
It’s recommended that you book in advance, but you can also find same-day availability in many instances. The best part? The cruise is priced very affordably at $24 per adult for a 1-hour cruise, and just $8 for children 2-12. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon or early evening in summer.

The Foodies. Of course Tremblant is a destination for foodies. Whether you’re dining in the old village or at the trendier Place Saint-Bernard, you’ll have more choices than you can fathom, from Asian to Mexican, Mediterranean to American and more. In a single day, you can enjoy fine French cuisine or a delicious assortment of sushi. The choice is yours! View their myriad of dining options here.

For our part, we keep returning to La Forge Bistro-Bar Mont Tremblant, the place to enjoy a delicious seasonal meal on the terrace overlooking Place St-Bernard. The atmosphere is welcoming and the bar is right in the middle of the big room… from which you can admire the mountain on one side and on the other, the heart of Tremblant’s pedestrian village.
Pictured above: Smoked Cornish Hen from Mont-Laurier ‘La Rose des Vents’ farm, made with a house blend of spices and BBQ sauce; served with fries and coleslaw. Life changing, friends.

Other must-try restaurants include Ô Wok (Thai and Chinese-inspired Asian cuisine), Coco Pazzo and Le P’tit Caribou. Le P’tit Caribou recently went through a massive renovation; originally located in a 400-square-foot ski chalet, this Mont Tremblant bar now boasts nearly 5,000 square feet over two floors, offering five bar counters, a dance floor, and a vast lounge available for private events. More to come!

The Arts Lovers. Tremblant comes alive this summer with Les Rythmes Tremblant (“Rhythms Tremblant”), an outdoor music festival featuring colourful personalities, intoxicating rhythms and sing-alongs for the kids at Promenade Deslauriers. In the evenings, the young and young at heart can move and groove to oldies but goldies: disco, retro, rock and roll, and a whole lot more! Catch Les Rythmes Tremblant from Jul 22 – 31, 2016. If a slow jam is more your style, be sure to check out R&B Weekend from Aug 5 – 7, 2016.

Of course, if you’re looking for a unique way to spend a little down time, pop into Le Studio Créatif where you can let your creative side and the artist within come to life! Paint your own pottery and create a unique souvenirs.

The Shopaholics. The shopping scene in Tremblant’s European-inspired pedestrian village is exactly what you’d expect: a multitude of exclusive boutiques catering to finer tastes. Pop into Chamonix and fall for the charm and elegance of the high-end clothing and accessories by renowned labels including Bogner, Fire & Ice, Dale of Norway and KASK. Visit Galerie Soutana for an exclusive collection of native North and South American arts and crafts. And never pass up a chance to experience Oh la Vache!, featuring top of the line treats, muffins, cookies, waffles, ice cream, sorbets and other culinary delights.

During my last visit, I was introduced to La Raffinerie. This new unique lifestyle store offers everything women need for the perfect weekend: a knit dress for a chic après-ski, those perfectly skinny jeans, trendy accessories and ultra feminine intimates.
In the summertime, La Raffinerie boasts a small flower market, where you can purchase bouquets for a loved one (or just to spoil yourself a little more!).

I could go on and on… because Tremblant offers so, so much more. There are things for the thrill seeker, the history buff, the night owl, the nature lover, the birds of prey enthusiast…. as I said, I could go on. Instead, I’ll wrap up here, with a promise to be back to share more of my favourite things to do in Mont Tremblant during the summer months.

In the meantime, visit www.tremblant.ca to start planning your visit.