This Charming, Colorful Ski Village Has a European Feel — and It's an Easy Trip From the East Coast

A colorful village with European flair and Quebecois influences, Tremblant is a ski destination that feels far away, even though it’s just a short trip from many East Coast cities. Located in the city of Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Tremblant is a four-season resort best known for winter sports. With 102 trails and three snowparks, it has something for every age and skill level, making it an ideal family ski resort. 

I’m a lifelong beginner skier — despite many lessons — and although I’m never one to swoosh down a black diamond, I do love to tackle a few runs and then do all the lovely ski-adjacent activities. For me, a ski trip is equally about the cozy dinners, the aprés-ski drinks, and enjoying the mountain scenery. I visited Tremblant this February to hit the slopes for the first time since breaking my ankle in 2022, and I fell in love with the gentle green runs lined with snow-flocked evergreens, along with everything else the mountain offers on and off the slopes. 

Tremblant is located about a 90-minute drive from the closest major airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (which has direct flights from several major U.S. cities). You’ll need to hire a driver or rent a car to get to the ski resort, but once you’re there, everything you need is within walking distance in the picture-perfect pedestrian village.

Related: 20 Best Ski Resorts Around the World, According to T+L Editors and Contributors

When to Go

Tremblant’s 2023-2024 ski season is November 23, 2023, to April 14, 2024. School breaks — including December holidays and long weekends in January and February — are among the busiest times to visit Tremblant. I visited over a weekend in early February, and even though it was busy, lift lines moved quickly, and the slopes did not feel crowded. Visiting in the morning during a weekday is ideal if you want to ski the trails at their emptiest. If you leave on a Sunday, be sure to depart early, as the traffic leaving this area can be heavy in the afternoons. 

Related: The Best Times to Visit Canada, According to Local Experts

Where to Stay 

Fairmont Tremblant: With a prime ski-in, ski-out location, on-site ski rentals and ski valet, and a recently renovated outdoor heated pool terrace that’s perfect for an aprés-ski soak, the Fairmont Tremblant is the perfect hotel for a Tremblant ski vacation. The hotel’s 34 Fairmont Gold (concierge-level) rooms and suites were recently renovated for guests looking for a luxurious stay on the slopes. Beyond the beautiful pool area — my favorite part of the resort — the breakfast at Le Comptoir was really tasty, and I enjoyed our meals at Axe Lounge Bar and Choux Gras Brasserie. 

Sommet Des Neiges: Sommet Des Neiges is another ski-in, ski-out hotel with ski lockers and an outdoor hot tub. The hotel’s 111 suites were renovated in 2022, with spacious two and three-bedroom options that are ideal for families. 

Where to Eat

A Mano Trattoria: After a day on the slopes, we’re craving carbs — and the menu at A Mano Trattoria (located in the heart of the pedestrian village) delivers with Italian favorites like pizza and pasta. I recommend ordering one of the delicious handmade pizzas, served steaming hot from the impressive pizza oven at the front of the restaurant. 

Choux Gras Brasserie Culinaire: Located in the Fairmont Tremblant and overlooking the slopes and village, Choux Gras Brasserie Culinaire offers an upscale, romantic setting for a rich, hearty meal. The homemade focaccia was the best I’ve had, perfectly pillowy inside with a satisfyingly crunchy crust. Another surprising highlight was the orecchiette with pickled mushrooms, smoked caciocavallo, and truffle oil. Cocktails here and at the adjacent Axe Lounge Bar were equally delicious and inventive. 

Lucille’s: Lobster poutine — need I say more? The seafood-forward Lucille’s, located near the base of the mountain, offers a refined take on comfort foods and classic dishes. We loved the hot crab dip to start, and the lobster poutine was a fun take on the Canadian classic. Speaking of Canadian classics, the over-the-top seafood caesar — with an oyster, shrimp, and crab leg — was a delightful start to the meal. 

Related: The Best Times to Visit Canada, According to Local Experts

Where to Aprés-ski

Le P’tit Caribou: When we asked people who worked on the mountain where to find the Tremblant aprés-ski spot, Le P’tit Caribou was a top recommendation. And based on the long line of young people waiting to get in on Friday and Saturday night — and the throngs of people dancing to pop hits when we made it inside — I’d say they were right. 

Microbrasserie La Diable: For a more subdued vibe, Microbrasserie La Diable offers several beers brewed onsite and classic pub grub-like burgers and bar bites (including poutine, of course). Those looking for something with a kick should browse the “Happy Coffee” menu of boozy beverages. 

La Terrasse Après-Ski: Located at the Fairmont Tremblant just steps from the end of the Nansen trail, La Terrasse Aprés-Ski offers a ski-in, ski-out experience with cozy fire pits and a Veuve Clicquot gondola. While we loved grabbing a drink on the terrace after a morning of snowshoeing, we also loved sipping our drinks in the hotel’s heated pools overlooking the slopes — our favorite perk of staying at this hotel. 

Off-mountain Activities 

When you’re not wandering through the charming pedestrian village — and shopping around its 78 boutiques and stores — or hitting the slopes, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the wintry scenery or get cozy inside. I tried snowshoeing for the first time on a two-hour guided tour and loved the stories our guide told as we walked along the frozen landscape. Alpine touring, dog sledding, ice climbing, and skating on a picturesque outdoor rink are among other outdoor winter activities available on or near the mountain. Everyone — including skiers/snowboarders and their slope-avoidant friends — will love the stunning views of the Laurentian Mountains and snow-flocked trees seen from the panoramic gondola (pedestrian tickets are available for sightseers). 

For another scenic experience about 20 minutes from Tremblant, the Sentier des Cimes (“Treetop Walk”) Laurentides is a gorgeous elevated walking path nestled within the trees with a 130-foot tower that offers excellent views of the mountains. The pathway and tower have a maximum slope of six percent, so strollers and wheelchairs can access the entire experience. 

Visitors hoping to escape the snow can stop by the Casino de Mont-Tremblant, reachable via a complimentary shuttle with several pick-up points around the mountain. 

Related: 10 Best Ski Resorts in Canada, According to Pros and Locals

How to Ride 

Tickets

Lift tickets — ranging from a half-day (starting at noon) to five-day passes — can be purchased on the Tremblant website. The regular, one-day rate is $19 (Canadian) for kids ages 3-4, $77 for children 5-12, $101 for teens 13-17, $135 for adults 18-69, and $116 for seniors. Prices are higher during peak periods, like the February holiday break. Uphill passes are available for $25, and tickets to use the magic carpet lifts in the learning areas are $15 per day. Early risers can take advantage of ideal morning conditions before the slopes open to everyone else with First Tracks tickets ($35). 

Tremblant is included on the Ikon Pass with unlimited visits and no blackout dates for Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass, and Ikon Base Pass holders (Ikon Session Passes get up to four days). The Tonik Pass (available to Canadian residents) also provides up to 112 fixed days on the slopes plus three flex days. 

Rentals 

Complete ski packages and individual ski and clothing rentals are available at rental locations throughout the mountain. You can order rentals online and pick up your equipment at one of the four centers on the mountain; prices for complete ski packages — including skis, poles, boots, and a helmet — start at $72 for one day for skiers ages 13 and up. Ski valet service is included for free if you book two or more days, so you don’t have to store all that gear in your hotel room. Guests staying at the Fairmont Tremblant can take advantage of on-site rentals and ski valet — something that made getting out on the slopes (and coming back to the hotel to aprés-ski) much easier during my trip. 

Skiing and Snowboarding Stats

Tremblant offers 102 trails across 755 skiable acres; of those 100+ trails, 22 are classed as easy, 31 are difficult, and 49 are very difficult and extreme, per the mountain resort. That comes out to 50.8 miles of trails, including the longest trail, Nansen, which is 3.7 miles long. 14 ski lifts have a maximum capacity of 27,830 skiers per hour, and 1,219 snow guns cover 527 acres of terrain. There are three snowparks: Mitik Park (best for beginners), Progression Park, and Adrénaline Park (ideal for experts). 

Ski School

Tremblant Snow School offers ski and snowboard lessons for every skill level. From the beginner-friendly “My First Day — Learn to Ski or Snowboard” lessons for curious visitors of all ages who have never put on skis before to youth and adult lessons and kids ski weeks, Tremblant Snow School has you covered. There are also private and semi-private lessons for snow seekers who want to refine their skills with more personalized attention from one of the certified ski instructors.