Mont Tremblant

After the major metropolitan experience that was Montreal, it was finally time to head for the hills, Mont Tremblant, largest Canadian ski resort in the east.

Heading north from Montreal the road got smaller and smaller and smaller.  But the whole way it was still considered the Trans-Canada Highway.  We passed several smaller ski hills on the way.  But it was clear that Tremblant was much more of a destination.  We checked into our room at the Tour des Voyageurs then decided to out our complimentary gondola passes to use.  But we had to get to the summit gondola first.

Can you say "Disneyland"?  This place was ridiculous!  We had a cabriolet at The Canyons, but it was just to get you from the parking lot to the base of the mountain.  I think the main purpose of this cab was to give you a bird's eye view of the village.

 Cariolet base and "lower village"

Cabriolet looking up, that's our hotel on the right

Cabriolet looking towards the gondola base

Onto the gondi, we shot to the top.  Definitely a decent-size mountain for the east coast.  You could tell by the size of the summit lodge and the open area at the top this place is a zoo in the winter.  But on our mid-summer visit it was just busy.  After lunch in the summit house, we opted to go check out the sightseeing tower.

 Gondola, looking back towards the base, with Lac Tremblant in the background

 Mountain pond under the gondi

Hike to observation tower

Looking back at the summit lodge (and one monstrosity of a communications tower)

After coming back off the mountain, we decided to take a leisurely stroll down through the village.  This place was either the inspiration for Whistler Village, or vice-versa.  Only difference is the vertical aspect, hence the justification for the cabriolet - don't think you'd want to slep up the icing coblestone in your ski boots in the winter.  But totally fun checking out all the shops.

 Katie loves her Adirondack chairs

All downhill from here

A quick rest in our room, including a short hot tub session (for Mike anyways), and we actually took in the afternoon showing of the Minions.  From there we grabbed dinner and got ready to head back south.  Definitely would have needed another day to do some of the activities like the mountain slide, zip-lining, or the water sports.