Skiing in North America is something most of us aspire to, but we may be put off by the long flights, and the cost to reach the well-known resorts of the Rockies or British Columbia.
Step forward Tremblant, Quebec, a resort that’s owned by the same company that manages Whistler. It offers the same high standards and state-of-the-art design, but has the advantage of being much closer to the UK, just over a 6.5-hour flight away, with an easy 90-minutes transfer from Montreal airport.
Canada’s Tremblant has been voted the best resort in Eastern North America by the predominantly US-based readership of Ski magazine for 12 years in a row, above more than 100 choices in East Coast USA. Why so popular? Well, Tremblant simply has everything you need in a ski resort, but not only that, it makes it simple to access AND it is designed so that everything is a pleasure to do.
Firstly, unlike most North American ski areas, there’s no need to worry about a rental car, the short bus ride takes you to your spacious and comfortable slopeside condo or hotel, the latter from top brands such as Westin and Fairmont, among others.
Although the resort is one of the longest established in North America, the modern village development is perfectly integrated with the old and the traditional colourful Quebecois-style houses, which line the cobbled streets, and are home to numerous enticing boutiques, cafes and bistros that are very easy on the eye.
Some of the resort’s excellent restaurants are located in genuine buildings dating from the 1930s or earlier, which were dismantled and rebuilt here. It’s worth noting that Tremblant, and indeed all of Quebec, has a different attitude to life to the rest of North America. Although all tastes are catered for, great French food is the norm at establishments like the elegant Quintessence Hotel, with its superb restaurant and wine cellar. Indeed, ironically, you can often get better French food here in Canada than you might in an altitude resort in the French Alps.
The resort’s designers thought of everything, so that the traffic-free street layouts maximise scenic vistas, and all the facilities you need are steps away from your hotel or condo – including slopeside equipment rental shops, and easy access tofast chair and gondola lifts.
Tremblant’s 265-hectare ski area is not huge, but most Brits will be happy here for at least a week, with more the 90 runs to explore, the longest at 6km. Mixed-ability groups can find runs for all standards with excellent terrain parks for freestyle skiers and boarders, and first-class beginner slopes with easy to use carpet lifts for getting back up the slopes effortlessly. The varied terrain includes pretty tree-lined runs and popular gladed skiing areas – open hillsides with light tree cover to ski around.
But easy access, great accommodation, excellent ski slopes, and appealing shops and authentic restaurants are not enough for Tremblant to have maintained its popularity top spot for so long! Another key part of the resort’s success is the après-ski entertainment. The resort’s operators always ensure there’s a vibrant buzz to the slopeside squares and streets from mid-afternoon onwards, with live acts performing free concerts. There are also some great après-ski facilities, including a new casino and the wonderful La Source Aquaclub – an indoor-outdoor adventure pool and spa complex.
