THE TRIP
Mont Tremblant
VIVE LA DIFFÉRENCE! by
André Courey Hotel Quintessence
photos courtesy
T
here are many captivating places to
The lower part of the village, le vieux (old)
spend vacation time in this diverse
Tremblant, has a story of its own, its buildings
world, distinctively charming
from the original 60-year-old resort (the oldest
places that capture the heart. Mont-
destination ski resort in Canada) having been
Tremblant, in Québec, 120 kilometres north of
preserved and moved further down the mountain
Montréal, is among them. It’s a tri-village town,
base. Nearby, the endearing Saint-Bernard Chapel,
a cluster of three villages (total population:
dressed in white with bright red roof and spire,
10,000) mainly known for its ski mountain, Mont
stands as a landmark, inviting worshippers and
Tremblant, from which the town derives its name
curious visitors alike. A replica of a small 19th
and the colourful pedestrian resort village at its
century church on an island not far from Quebec
base — Tremblant. Just strolling through the
City, it is still, for seven decades, the place where
resort village is a delight and an illustrative history
skiers receive the priest’s blessings before taking
lesson as well. The architecture is straight out of
to the slopes.
the story of New France, inspired by the 400-year-
old City of Québec with colourful buildings,
snowboarding, lodgings, restaurants and après-
gable roofs, dormer windows and wrought iron
ski have earned it the title of Eastern North
balconies overlooking narrow cobblestone streets.
America’s Number One ski resort for 18 of the
Simply browsing the boutiques, dropping into
last 19 years, so voted by the readers of the widely
the cafés and bistros, dining in one of the many
read Ski Magazine. National Geographic recently
restaurants and lingering on the town square is
ranked Mont-Tremblant as one of the 25 best ski
enjoyable — “la belle vie”. The feel, the sights and
towns in the world. Other well-developed winter
the sounds of French, English and the many other
sports facilities attract numerous participants
languages of visitors from around the world give
for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog
the village a special ambiance.
sledding. The latest winter sport to have arrived
154 PIE DIGEST
In winter, Tremblant’s alpine skiing and