Mont-Tremblant, Canada, located in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, in the province of Quebec, is a year-round destination and a nature lovers' paradise. In the winter, Mont-Tremblant is a winter wonderland for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, skating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding. Mont-Tremblant is easily accessible via 90-minute flights from Toronto and is approximately a 90-minute drive from Montreal, once you arrive, it is easy to enjoy a car-free vacation. Let the adventures begin!

We flew Canadian Porter Airlines for a 90-minute flight from Newark International Airport (EWR) to Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) followed by a70-minute flight to Tremblant International Airport (YTM).  

Flying Porter Airlines was like taking a step back in time when airline service was professional, courteous, and flight attendants served complimentary food and beverages even on short haul flights. Comfortable leather seats with extra legroom and a cabin configuration of two-seats by two-seats, we were definitely impressed with the quality of Porter Airlines.  

Debra Boarding

As further enticement, Porter Airlines has two complimentary state-of-the-art lounges for all Porter Airlines passengers with valid boarding pass at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and one lounge located between Gates 18 and 20 at Ottawa International Airport.  

The comfortable lounges provided us with a place to relax or work. Amenities included wireless Internet access, complimentary newspapers, coffee, tea, soft drinks, premium snacks, and business workstations equipped with iMac computers.  

Porter Lounge

In-flight service included beverage offerings of coffee or tea, soft drinks, juice, as well as red or white wine. Snacks consisted of a muffin and yogurt on morning flights, and small sandwiches served with a cold salad on later flights.  

In a time when the excitement of flying has become a lost art with limited service, kudos to Porter Airlines for bringing back the art of flying with style with service.  

Porter Airlines
Toll-Free:       +888-619-8622
Telephone:     +416-619-8622 
Website:         ww.FlyPorter.com 

Accommodations 

We stayed in a spacious two-room suite at the luxurious Le Westin Resort & Spa, Tremblant, Canada nestled in the Pedestrian Village within a short stroll of boutique shopping and excellent restaurants, and so close to the mountain that they offer ski-in/ski-out services via access on the third floor of the hotel. 

Le Westin Resort & Spa, Tremblant

In-room amenities abound at Le Westin Resort & Spa, Tremblant including their Heavenly Bed®, well-equipped kitchenettes with range, microwave oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee and tea maker, high speed Internet access, safes, Heavenly Shower/Bath® with double showerheads, hairdryer, make-up/shaving mirror, and scale. 

Lobby 

Hotel amenities include two restaurants, Restaurant Yamada featuring Japanese cuisine and sushi where we had an excellent dinner, and Lounge featuring international and regional cuisine where we enjoyed an après lunch; a Business Center, Westin WORKOUT® Room with state-of-the-art equipment, Amerispa where we indulged in pampering Spa services, an oversized Sauna, heated outdoor pool and oversized whirlpool where we relaxed outdoors after a day of sport adventures, and complimentary newspapers in English and in French.   

Outdoor Pool and Whirlpool

Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant, Canada
100 Chemin Kandahar
Mont Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1E2
Canada
Telephone:       +819-681-8000
Toll-Free:         +1866-716-8102
Fax:                  +819-716-8001
Email:                This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:           www.Westin.com/Tremblant 

Adventures  

Mont-Tremblant offers adventures appropriate for ages whether you prefer "soft" or "hard" adventures. A few of the many winter offerings include downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sledding, skating, snowshoeing, tubing, dogsledding, ice fishing, ice climbing, horseback riding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, helicopter tours, paintball, and snowmobiling. The only dilemma is which adventures to select if your time is limited.  

For "soft" adventures, ride the free Cabriolet that runs between the base of the Pedestrian Village and the base of the mountain for a spectacular view of Mont-Tremblant and the surrounding mountains and lakes.   

Dogsledding  

We have always been intrigued with the idea of dogsledding and finally had the opportunity to experience this age-old form of transportation with Expédition WOLF 

Sled Dogs Tasniak and Tehotiwakan

This adventure was a pure adrenaline rush as Edward learned what it takes to be a "musher" as he drove our team of six adorable Siberian Huskies named Harricana, Malouk, Wishwachibi, Soscumica, Tehotiwakan, and Tasniak, who pulled our sled through breathtakingly beautiful snow-covered Canadian forest trails while I sat back on the sled nestled under a soft, warm blanket and enjoyed the view. 

Musher Edward Running the Dogs
Photo by Annette Faille

A Little Love from Malouk

Read in-depth about dogsledding with Expédition WOLF in the Adventures section.  

Debra with Malouk and Harricana

Expédition WOLF
Gaëtan Lambert, Musher,Proprietor
9552, Route 1117 sud.
Rivière-Rouge, Québec, J0T 1T0
Canada
Telephone:      +1-819-275-1601
Toll-Free:        +1-877-275-1601
Fax:                 +1-819-275-7656
Email:               This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:          www.ExpeditionWolf.com   

Skiing  

For us a winter trip to Tremblant had to include downhill skiing at the renowned Mont-Tremblant, the highest peak in the Laurentian Mountains, located at 2,116 feet (645meters) with a top elevation of 2,871 feet (875 meters), and offering 14 ski lifts serving 95 beginner, intermediate, and expert runs to appeal to all levels of experience.  

Debra and Edward Ready to Go Skiing

We like to travel light when flying and rather than haul our ski equipment on the plane with us, we opted to rent state-of-the-art Solomon skis and boots at the base of the mountain from the Adventure Center (Centre Aventure -Chalet des Voyageurs), which was the ultimate in convenience and provided us with the opportunity to "test-drive" so to speak, new Solomon ski equipment.  

Mont-Tremblant has an excellent Ski School (École Sur Neige) and Edward took the opportunity to brush up on his skiing with a 2-hour lesson with Ski School Instructor Sylvain Hotte, while I utilized the Free Mountain Guided Tour and had a great morning skiing with Luc Bechard, one of Mont-Tremblant's experienced and friendly Ski Guides. This fun and interesting program provides skiers of all skill levels new to Mont-Tremblant with the opportunity to ski with an insider who will provide information on the slopes as well as join them for a few runs for a 45-60 minute ski tour.  

Luc Bechard and Debra at the Summit

Starting December 11th, tours are conducted every day at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm.  Register inside Le Grand Manitou at the Customer Service Counter and then meet at the summit's giant trail.   

The Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort 2010 -2011 season runs from November 25, 2010 until April 10, 2011.

Sylvain Hotte, Debra, and Edward 

Centre Aventure - Chalet desVoyageurs
Telephone:       +1-819-681-3000 extension 45564
Hours:              Everyday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.   

Ski School (École Sur Neige)
Telephone:       +1-866-661-1366 

Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort
1000 Chemin des Voyageurs
Mont-Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1T1
Canada 
Website:     www.Tremblant.ca 

Cross-Country Skiing  

Hardcore adventurers that we are, we went downhill skiing, also called Alpine skiing in the morning, and went cross-country skiing, also called Nordic skiing, in the afternoon. We rented Solomon cross-country ski equipment from Explore! conveniently located within the Pedestrian Village.  

Edward Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing not only uses different equipment from downhill skiing, it also uses a different style of skiing, which worked other muscle groups as we glided through the pretty snow covered wooded trails discovering the area at our own pace and taking time for photographs along the way.   

Debra on Cross-Country Skis

Explore!
1000 Chemin des Voyageurs
Mont-Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1T1
Canada
Telephone:       +1-819-681-4684
Fax:                  +1-819-681-5947
Website:           www.Tremblant.ca 

Snowshoeing 

Although snowshoeing has its origins as far back as 6,000 - 8,000 years, according to our Professional Adventure Guide Yves Kirouac, snowshoeing is going to be the next sports craze for all ages, especially Baby Boomers, as you get to use cool, lightweight equipment, is great exercise, and has low impact on hips and knees.  

Professional Adventure Guide Yves Kirouac

Debra Enjoying Nature While Snowshoeing 

Read in-depth about Snowshoeing in the Adventures section.   

TheActivity Centre (Centre d'Activités)
118Chemin Kandahar
Mont-Tremblant,Québec, J8E 1T1
Canada
Telephone:      +1-819-681-4848
Email:              This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:         www.TremblantActivities.com 

Spa Pampering  

After playing hard at having grand adventures we required some extra pampering, which we found at the Amerispa at LeWestin Resort & Spa Tremblant, which is a leader in the Canadian Spa industry.   

Having "discovered" the Amerispa at the Fairmont Hotel on a previous trip to Mont-Tremblant, we knew the Amerispa quality and level of service and were delighted that they also had a Spa conveniently located at our hotel, Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant.   

Remineralizing Clay Massage

We indulged in the Bamboo Extract Massage, a traditional massage combining recognized techniques with the effectiveness of bamboo, lotus and water-lily extracts; and the Remineralizing Clay Massage with Lavender Essential Oil to stimulate circulation, transmit the elements of the clay and the minerals to the sky, moisturize, and provide a level of calmness.   

We maximized the effect of our massages with a session in the Sauna, before heading to our suite to take a well-deserved nap.   

Amerispa at Le Westin Resort& Spa Tremblant, Canada
100, Chemin Kandahar
Mont Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1E2
Canada
Telephone:      +1-819-681-7080
Toll-Free:        1-866-AMERISPA (1-866-263-7477)
Fax:                 +1-819-681-0465
Email:              This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:          www.amerispa.ca 

Where to Dine   

Mont-Tremblant offers a wide range of restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining, and from contemporary to traditional, providing visitors with an excellent selection to indulge whatever their palates desire. 

We enjoyed a seafood feast dinner at AltitudeSeafood and Grill - Lounge Restaurant at Le Casino de Mont-Tremblant, located on the Soleil (sunny) side of the mountain, where our gastronomic seafood adventure began with a romantic panoramic gondola ride to the restaurant, which features Chef Christian Bolduc in the kitchen.   

Altitude Ambience

A few of the highlights included Roasted Veal Sweetbread and Lobster with parsnip puree, celeriac salad, and hazelnut; Gourmet Crab Cake with chipotle sauce, and celeriac and corn remoulade; and the Seafood Plate with grilled salmon, tempura crab legs and claws, roasted lobster tail, mussels, scallops, and shrimp steamed with garlic and ginger.

Seafood Plate  

After our dinner, we tried our chance with Lady Luck at the Casino before taking the complimentary shuttle back to our hotel.  

Altitude Seafood and Grill -Lounge Restaurant at Le Casino de Mont-Tremblant is for guests 18 years and older, proper dress required. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from noon to 10:00 pm, on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm, and for Sunday Brunch from11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Lounge is open daily from 4:00 pm until closing. There is live music on Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 9:30 pm, and live music during the Sunday Brunch.  

Chef Christian Bolduc

Le Casino de Mont-Tremblant is located on Versant Soleil, accessible by the Montée Ryan. There is a complimentary Gondola ride as well as a complimentary shuttle to the Casino at Place des Voyageurs (next to the Cabriolet). Upon request of clients, the shuttle may stop at different hotels within the village.   

Altitude Seafood and Grill - Lounge Restaurant at Le Casino deMont-Tremblant
300 Chemin des Pléiades
Mont-Tremblant, Québec, J8E 0A7
Canada
Telephone:     +819-429-4150
Telephone:     +1-877 574-2177
Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Website:        www.CasinosduQuebec.com/Mont-Tremblant/en/restaurant-bar 

We had an elegant dinner at the fine dining French restaurant, Aux Truffes Restaurant, awarded Four Diamonds by the AAA/CAA every year since 1998. Located in the Pedestrian Village, Chef Owner Martin Faucher focuses on using the best local ingredients in season, and is renowned for his duck foie gras and truffles.  

Chef Martin Faucher 

A few of the many highlights of our dinner included Lobster Poached with Coconut Butter, Mango and Citrus  Salsa, Red Pepper Coulis Flavored with Lime crowned with shaved truffles; Martin's famous Duck Foie Gras; and Seared Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree, Rosemary, Mascarpone, Mushrooms, and Coriander Cream Sauce.   

 Seared Scallops

Aux Truffes Restaurant is open for lunch during high season daily from 11:30 am until 3:00pm, and for dinner from 6:00pm until 11:00 pm.   

Aux Truffes Restaurant

Aux Truffes Restaurant
Place Saint-Bernard
3035, Chemin de la Chapelle
casier postal 2502, succursale B
Mont Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1B1
Canada
Telephone:         +819-681-4544
Fax:                    +819-681-4543
Email:                  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Email Contacts:  Alexandre Boisleve and Simon Léonard, Managers
Website:             www.AuxTruffes.com   

We also had a wonderful dinner at Restaurant Yamada at Le WestinResort & Spa Tremblant, Canada, which features Japanese cuisine in an attractive contemporary setting, and Chef Philippe Lavaud in the kitchen. Being able to watch the three Sushi Chefs, Rio San, Eric, and Fredericin action creating sushi masterpieces added to the overall experience.   

Restaurant Sushi Chefs at Work

One of the more unusual, but very tasty, highlights was the Maki B-52 made with salmon, Rice Krispies, avocado, and lettuce served with spicy sauce. Although we had never eaten Maki made with cereal as an ingredient, the combination worked beautifully. We also enjoyed the Maki Dancing Eel made with smoked eel, crab  stick, caviar, avocado, and cucumber; the Smoked Fresh Water Eel Sushi; and the Warm Maki Yamada Chop made with tuna, shrimp, avocado tempura with ginger sauce and caviar.  

Restaurant Yamada Presentation 

Restaurant Yamada at Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant is open for dinner from 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm.  

Restaurant Yamada at Le Westin Resort & Spa Tremblant, Canada
100 Chemin Kandahar
Mont Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1E2
Canada
Telephone:      +819-681-4141
Fax:                 +819-681-4140
Email:               This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:         www.RestaurantYamada.com 

We had a delicious lunch at CrêperieCatherine, located in the heart of the Pedestrian Village in a former chalet, owned by Catherine Schmuck, her husband, François Laviolette, and her sister Lorraine Schmuck, where the focus is on homemade crêpes made before your eyes. Crêperie Catherine is cozy and charming and features Catherine's vast eclectic collection of whimsical chefs throughout the restaurant.   

Chefs Lorraine and Catherine Schmuck

Chefs Catherine and Lorraine pride themselves on their usual fillings based on ingredients that they love. A few of the highlights of our lunch included the Smoked Salmon Crêpe with egg, fresh spinach, sliced onions, and capers; Seafood Crêpe made with shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab, spinach, grated Swiss cheese and their signature Béchamel sauce; and the Caramel Apple Crêpe with sucre à la crème, sautéed Granny Apples, whipped cream, and chopped Crispy Crunch bar.  

Smoked Salmon Crêpe  

Crêperie Catherine is open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily from 8:00 am until 9:00pm. There are no reservations. If you would like to have French Onion Soup for breakfast, it is not a problem. They are happy to serve French Onion Soup, Breakfast Crêpes, Dinner Crêpes, Dessert Crêpes, and anything else on the menu at any time of the day.   

 Crêperie Catherine

Crêperie Catherine
113, Chemin Kandahar
C.P. 4448
Mont-Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1A1
Canada
Telephone:     +819-681-4888
Fax:                +819-425-5445
Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   
Website:        www.CreperieCatherine.ca 

We also had a very nice lunch after spending the morning working up an appetite while dogsledding at the Lounge at Le Westin Resort &Spa Tremblant, Canada, which features regional and international cuisine.  

Le Westin Resort & Spa Lounge

Lunch highlights included a loaded Traditional Club Sandwich of chicken, bacon, tomato, lettuce, on toast served with French Fries, and Cheese Quesadillas served with salsa and sourcream, and a side order of a basket of crispy French Fries.  

Traditional Club Sandwich

Lounge at Le Westin Resort &Spa Tremblant
100 Chemin Kandahar
Mont Tremblant, Québec, J8E 1E2
Canada
Telephone:       +819-681-4144
Email:                This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:           www.Westin.com/Tremblant 

Although Mont-Tremblant has much to offer winter visitors with its natural beauty, downhill andc ross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding, skating, snowmobiling, horseback riding, ice climbing, ice fishing, and tubing, it is a year-roundresort waiting to be discovered at any time of the year with its pristine lakes, water sports, fishing, bicycling, hiking, top-rated golf courses, and horseback riding.   

See You on the Slopes

Important Information for Mont-Tremblant:  

The currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). As of February 2011, the exchange rate was 1 US Dollar (USD) to .98 Canadian Dollar, and 1 (EUR) to 1.35 Canadian Dollar (CAD). The Canadian Dollaris divided into 100 cents, with coin denominations of .01, .05, .10, and .25, 1dollar, and 2 dollar coins; bank note denominations are: 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100dollars.  

Electricity is 110 volts/60cycles, which is used throughout North America. Bring a converter if your appliances do not have dual voltage and plug adaptersif traveling from outside North America.  

French is the official language of Mont-Tremblant, and while many people speak English, it is always helpful to have some basic language knowledge when traveling.  

Read other articles on Mont-Tremblant, Canada in the Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs' Recipes (in English and in French), Spas, and Adventures sections.   

For information on Mont-Tremblant, please visit the website: www.Tremblant.ca

For information on Porter Airlines, and where they fly, please visit the website: www.FlyPorter.com.