Ski like a local in Mont-Tremblant - The ultimate Tremblant ski guide
Nestled in the heart of Quebec, Mont Tremblant stands as a beacon for ski enthusiasts, drawing over 2.5 million visitors annually with its pristine slopes and vibrant village life. This guide ventures beyond the well-trodden paths to uncover the mountain's hidden gems and local favorites, offering a unique perspective that transforms a typical ski trip into an unforgettable adventure. Whether you're aiming to conquer the challenging peaks or simply soak in the serene beauty of the snow-covered landscapes, Mont Tremblant promises an unparalleled skiing experience and an amazing vacation destination.
Start with first tracks
Discover the serene beauty of Mont-Tremblant's slopes with "First Tracks" access, your ticket to the mountain's gondola at 7:45 AM, before the official opening, along with access to the Duncan chairlift on the North side of the mountain. This special access, available from the Christmas holidays through mid-March, not only allows you to enjoy the pristine conditions of freshly groomed trails but also ensures an exclusive experience with no crowds. Ski the North Side in peace, revelling in the untouched snow and tranquil morning ambiance, making every turn more memorable. If you have an Ikon pass, check your Ikon privileges as some promo days provide first tracks access at no extra cost. If you are staying in the village, the gondola will take you up the mountain where you can ski the north side until official opening at 8:30. If you are staying in one of our ski-out condo on the south side, the P2 "Portes du Soleil" chairlift usually begins operating at 7:30 on weekends to make it easier to get to the gondola.
North side
Once the mountain officially opens to greater public at 8:30 am, the crowds will slowly start trickling in. The North side usually remains pretty quiet until mid morning. Your ski strategy will depend on the type of skier you are, whether you love cruising down groomers or attacking double blacks the trees. A good strategy is to ski runs off the Duncan chair until 8:30am (Duncan, Jasey-Jay Anderson, Supérieur for groomers, or our favorite treed run Taïga or CBC). Another good early morning option is to start in Lowell Thomas and make your way into the trees in the "Tunnel"; with a bit of fresh snow it can be amazing and guaranteed to be quiet.
At 8:30 the Expo chair opens up and can take you to mid-mountain terrain on the north side. Early morning runs off of Expo chair can be quite rewarding, especially if the Expo run has been freshly groomed. Other options are La Griffe (or Dynagriffe through the trees). If you enjoy bumps, Windigo is one of our favorites with a low grade and constant moguls, fun for the whole family! Another option is to make your way back to the South side for 8:30 when the runs open for a chance to ski down Taschereau or Kandahar while it is freshly groomed. We recommend going straight to the TGV lift mid mountain though in order to avoid the morning lineup at the Gondola.
Soleil
Before the crowds start building on the North side, take the Duncan chair to the top and start making your way to the Soleil side. For easy runs, L'Algonquin is the longest run on the mountain and provides good carving potential and good views of the surrounding Laurentians. Toboggan is always a family favourite as well. You can do a few runs on soleil side and when it gets busier, start making your way to the Edge.
Edge
The quad lift on Edge is non-detachable which makes it much slower, but the upside is there are way less crowds. Edge has countless glade options, and one main groomed run. Look carefully from the chairlift for a spot to drop in as pretty much anywhere in your field of view is fair game on Edge. Haute Tension below the chair is a great spot to show off your mogul skills to the crowd above, or if you prefer a more private affair, take a run at Sensation Haut which has some good drops and challenging terrain. Reaction is a lengthy intermediate glade run that provides lots of good turns year round. If you want to make your way back to North side without going all the way down, consider Emotion which has some challenging steep terrain and brings you directly to the Lowell Thomas chairlift.
Break time
After a few runs on edge you'll likely want to go in for a break, and plenty of options are at your disposal. There is a cafeteria at the bottom lodge on the North side with plenty of food options, the Grand Manitou lodge at the top of the mountain, or if you're looking for something more quaint, there is Le Refuge du Trappeur tucked away mid mountain on the Soleil side; don't miss it as it's well hidden between La Jamme and Laurentienne! Of course, there's always the myriad food options in the village on the South side, or if you're more into tailgating, many people will light up their portable BBQs in the back of their trucks in the North side parking lot. If you want to avoid the crowds, make sure you break before lunch as this is when the longest lift lines can be found.
Afternoon
Over lunch and into the afternoon, many opportunities arise to avoid the crowds. If you want to explore, a good option is to take Ryan Haut on the South side and follow the midway signs towards Les Bouleaux; it requires a bit of an uphill walk to get to but provides great scenery and a great spot to break for some snacks. For groomers, there's the crowd favorites such as Beauvallon, or Nansen if you want a more leisurely ride down the mountain, or Erik Guay, McCulloch, Kandahar if you're looking for slightly more challenging terrain. On the North side, Archipel Haut and Archipel Bas provide some good tree skiing options that are not too challenging, and allow you to use the Lowell Thomas lift which is generally less busy than others.
No experience in Tremblant would be complete without wrapping up your day with drink and snack at one of the many South side restaurants. For a delicious pint of in-house brewed beer and pub fare, we recommend stopping in at Microbrasserie La Diable, which you can almost get to on your skis. At the top of the village, popular options include La Forge, and Le Shack. Spring skiing is made even better when these restaurants open their outdoor patios allowing you to enjoy great food and drinks while taking in some rays.
Wrap up
As we wrap up our journey through Mont Tremblant, it's clear that this ski resort offers more than just slopes—it offers experiences. From the thrill of Versant Nord's challenging trails to the serene beauty of Le Versant Edge, there's something for every skier. Our guide has navigated through hidden gems, après-ski spots and tips to avoid the crowds, ensuring your vacation adventure is filled with unforgettable moments. Mont Tremblant isn't just a vacation destination; it's a winter wonderland waiting to be explored, promising every visitor a unique story to tell.