Mont Tremblant is an absolute Canadian gem! Located in the heart of Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains and only a short drive from Montreal or Ottawa, this ski town resort will give you all the European vibes without crossing the Atlantic! While the town bursts to life during the winter, spending a summer weekend in Mont Tremblant is the perfect way to experience everything this region has to offer. Here is how to spend a summer weekend in Mont Tremblant, Quebec!
Day 1: Mont Tremblant’s Pedestrian Village
Day 1 of your summer weekend in Mont Tremblant will focus on the pedestrian village. This is the heart of Mont Tremblant, an entirely walkable area that feels like a European ski town (or straight out of a Disney park, you decide!). Start your day bright and early, shortly after sunrise for optimal photo ops. You’ll beat the crowds and can take snapshots of the beautiful, colorful buildings (or take some shameless selfies) in peace. Two of my favorite places for photos were here, on the sloped street that cuts through the heart of town, and here, on the terrace looking over the Promenade Deslauriers. On that same terrace is Au Grain de Café, an adorable coffee shop where you can grab a cup, sit outside, and watch the world slowly wake up.
Summer mountain activities
Mont Tremblant is truly a four-season destination! The mountain offers dozens of summer activities that include summer versions of luge, tubing, and even skiing! A full list of summer activities can be found here, and if you plan on doing 3 or more they offer bundle packages to save a little money. On a summer weekend in Mont Tremblant, it can be tricky to fit everything in, so I opted just for a panoramic gondola ride to the top of the mountain. The ride is about 10 minutes each way and offers spectacular views from the top. You can see the Laurentian Mountains for miles, including grand views of Lac Tremblant. There are also a variety of hiking trails and all different distances and difficulties. I opted for an easy hike up to the 360° Observation Tower which offer similar views, but from an elevated platform.
A slow evening in town
After, make your way back into town for a relaxing evening. Restaurants line the streets, most offering cozy al fresco dining. The more popular spots will definitely require reservations, so be sure to plan ahead! Since I didn’t, I grabbed a table at Fat Mardi’s, a Mardi Gras themed restaurant that offered some deep south American cooking. After, don’t miss taking a free open-air gondola ride through town. It only takes you from one end of town to the other, but it is scenic, (slightly) thrilling, and fun! The bottom station is located here, and the upper station is here. For a day-ending sweet treat, grab a snack from BeaverTails (I went with the Oreo tail!) or an ice cream cone at the several spots in town. Make sure you also check out the town’s event calendar– I was lucky enough to be there for a free concert in town!
Day 2: Exploring Beyond the Village
Day 2 of your summer weekend in Mont Tremblant will be exploring outside of the town and the Laurentian Mountains! Before heading out, fuel up with an authentic French breakfast in town at La Maison de la Crêpe. Their menu has both sweet and savory crepes, so you can find whatever you’re in the mood for. After, snag a coffee for the road back at Au Grain de Café and make your way out to Mont Tremblant National Park! From the village, it’s about a 30-minute drive, but is so scenic and beautiful!
Mont Tremblant National Park
Mont Tremblant National Park is part of SEPAQ (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec – basically National Parks but only in the province of Quebec), and not by the national origination Parks Canada. Regardless, the park is enormous and covers over 1,500 km² (over 580 miles²), has over 400 lakes, and countless hiking trails. Spend your morning doing the most famous hiking trails: La Roche, La Coulée, and La Corniche. These trails are all connected, are easy to do in a half day, and offer spectacular views! The entire loop was about 6 miles and took about 3 and a half hours for me to complete. After the hike, spend some time having a picnic lunch at Plage de la Crémaillère. Here, you’ll find a lake beach, designated swimming area (if you want to take a dip in the lake), and plenty of picnic tables.
Read More: Hiking La Roche, La Coulée, and La Corniche in Mont Tremblant National Park
After a morning in the national park, keep the nature vibes going with a visit to Sentier des Cimes Laurentides. The star of this nature center is the panoramic tower. The tower is over 40 meters tall and walking to the top will provide incredible 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. A flat, accessible boardwalk will take you from the main center out to the tower. Getting from the base to the top is along a very gradual, sloped walkway. You’ll walk in circles around and take in the views from every angle as you slowly make your way to the top. Once at the summit, there is a suspended net that you can walk out onto for a bit of a rush! Be sure to also check out their events calendar, as they’ll host events during the summer (such as a circus show!).
Lake evening & sunset
After a jam-packed nature day (and probably tens of thousands of steps!), make your way back towards the Mont Tremblant village for a relaxing evening. Take a short stroll down the P’tit Train du Nord trail that cuts right through the heart of the town. This trail is a former railway turned biking/walking path that runs throughout the entire province, but a section of it goes right through Mont Tremblant. I’d recommend parking your car here and taking a short stroll north on the trail along Lac Mercier (until about here). This section of the trail hugs the lake and will be a perfect, quiet place to enjoy the views.
After, continue the lake vibes and end your summer weekend in Mont Tremblant at none other than Lac Tremblant! This iconic lake is at the base of the pedestrian village and is not to be missed. Consider booking an evening boat cruise around the lake to truly take it all in, or make your way over to Parc Plage for the best sunset views. The beach is only a few minute walk from the town, and if you are staying in a village hotel, entrance to Parc Plage is free! This lake beach faces west and you will get get to watch the sun slowly set over the lake and mountains. It is the best way to end your summer weekend in Mont Tremblant!
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments