Mont Tremblant in Summer: An Essential Travel Guide

Mont Tremblant isn’t only a winter destination. It’s equally as fun in the summer!

When I used to think about Mont Tremblant, the first thing that came to mind was hitting the slopes. Ski chalets. Hot chocolate and snuggling in front of the fireplace.

However, you don’t have to wait for the winter to visit Mont Tremblant. This resort town in Quebec is the ultimate summer destination, too!

Justin and I traveled to Mont Tremblant in the middle of July during their Blues Festival. We had an incredible time and we encourage everyone to head to Tremblant for a summer holiday.

Check out our video highlighting our adventures in Mont Tremblant!

Here’s why a Mont Tremblant summer vacation is a sure bet for a ridiculously fun time.

EXPLORE THE VILLAGE

Mont Tremblant has a picturesque pedestrian village with sweeping vistas, whether you’re gliding through the air on the Cabriolet gondola or standing from the top of the mountain. This is your home base and where you’ll be spending most of your time.

Feel right at home at one of the hotel accommodations, get some retail therapy at exclusive boutiques, dine at more than 35 gourmet restaurants, and participate in numerous activities.

Wander around the European-style cobblestone streets and people watch from a patio.

The village is even more alive during the International Blues Festival, but I’ll get to that in a bit!

VIEWS FROM THE TOP

The Mont Tremblant trail network is free of charge, so why not enjoy the great outdoors during your Mont Tremblant summer holiday? There are 11 hiking trails for beginners and experienced hikers, ranging from 1km to 11km. You can hike to the highest peak in the Laurentians here, summiting at 875 metres (2,871 ft).

If you don’t feel like trekking, you’re in luck. There’s a gondola that transports passengers straight to the top. Justin and I rode the panoramic gondola and enjoyed the scenic views.

And once we got to the top, there were even better views…if that was even possible. Up at the top of the mountain, be sure to take a stroll and appreciate the scenery from many perspectives.

This is also where your ziplining adventure starts with Ziptrek Ecotours. Speaking of which…

ZIPTREK ECOTOURS

If you love spectacular views and you’re a bit of a thrill-seeker, you won’t want to miss an aerial adventure with Ziptrek Ecotours. There are five ziplines in total where you’ll fly over rolling mountains and lush valleys.

The ziplines gradually take you from the summit back to the village down below, and they total nearly 4km in length. There are two short hiking components between the vantage points.

Furthermore, we adore the focus on sustainability and a responsibility to protect the environment. Our guides detailed a few ways to take care of the environment, which involved how the tour itself is eco-friendly for the region and the planet.

These ziplines were the longest and fastest ones we’ve ever tried. It was especially windy out the day we went, and we were speedily soaring from platform to platform. Ziptrek Ecotours is great for someone who hasn’t gone ziplining in the past, but it’s really exciting for the seasoned veteran.

I admit that I was a bit scared, and I’ve never been afraid for a zipline before! However, once I built up the courage to step off each ledge, it was extremely fun.

Something that’s really unique to Mont Tremblant Ziptrek Ecotour: every zipline was a tandem zip, meaning that you’d fly through the air side by side, in pairs. I was never alone because Justin was always on the corresponding zipline beside me. This actually made the experience a little less scary and even more fun as we screamed in unison!

HELICOPTER TOUR

For another unique Mont Tremblant summer experience, fly up high in the sky with HeliTremblant. Soar over the mountains and view Tremblant from a completely new perspective.

There’s nothing like that initial feeling of lifting off the ground in a helicopter. Neither Justin or I had ever travelled in a helicopter before. Let me tell you, it was breathtaking and completely lived up the hype.

We glided directly across the river before hovering over the vast landscape. From time to time, we drifted through a passing cloud. Gazing across the astonishing scenery, we admired an aerial view of the village, the racetrack, and thousands of treetops.

I’d hop inside a helicopter again in a heartbeat if I had the chance. This was such a memorable flight experience.

MORE FUN ACTIVITIES AT TREMBLANT

There are so many exciting activities to explore at Tremblant, and there’s really something for everyone.

You can even buy an activity card with access to 3, 5, 7, or 10 different entertaining things to do.

Justin and I had to play a round of miniature golf as that’s always one of our favourite games to play. We’re pretty competitive. While Justin might be a slightly better golfer, I’m the one who got a hole in one during our game! Interestingly enough, this mini putt course is actually a replica of the regular golf course, Le Géant at Mont Tremblant.

Our adventurous spirits couldn’t resist a ride down the Luge. Hailing from New Zealand, this is the first summer luge in North America. It’s a track that winds down the mountain. You drive a unique three-wheeled cart through the twists and turns of the track.

Even though a lot of small children were passing me, I thought I was going pretty darn fast. When I got to the end of the track, all I wanted to do was ride down again!

SCANDINAVE SPA MONT TREMBLANT

If relaxing is more your style, unwind at Scandinave Spa Mont Tremblant. It’s a rejuvenating and restorative experience. Cycle between hot areas (hot pools, sauna, steam room), cold areas (cold pools or the river), and relaxing spaces (solariums, in front of the fireplace, or hammocks) to rest the mind, body, and spirit.

Embrace the silence. Inhale and exhale. Feel completely rested.

There’s nothing like a spa day in a tranquil environment to reinvigorate the senses. There’s no Wi-Fi, and you must leave your phone in your locker. It’s a great feeling to be disconnected from social media and the outside world for a few hours.

We adored our time at Scandinave Spa and it added something special to our overall Mont Tremblant summer vacation experience. I highly recommend visiting the spa on your final day at Tremblant to rest before your trip back home.

CASINO DE MONT TREMBLANT

For an exciting evening, try your luck at Casino de Mont Tremblant. While the exterior of the building channels the atmosphere of a serene mountain lodge, the electrifying sights and sounds inside match the thrill of taking a chance with your bets.

We tried our luck at the brand new digital gaming machines, mostly playing the digital roulette. Justin and I placed our bets on the computer screen, and a physical roulette wheel determined the outcome. We both ended up coming out ahead after a little while, doubling and tripling our original bets – lucky us!

There are also slot machines, bars with yummy featured cocktails, and even a DJ spinning tunes. Gamble, have a drink, and dance the night away.

Getting to the casino is easy. A shuttle bus departs every 30 minutes and will pick you up right from your hotel. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you have the option of taking a free gondola to the casino and back. This scenic mode of transportation runs until midnight.

A DAY AT THE BEACH

You heard me right – there’s a beach at Mont Tremblant! You’d never know in the winter when it’s all covered in snow. Yes, there’s a sandy beach at Tremblant where you can lounge, swim, build sand castles, and play beach volleyball. Don’t miss a trip to the Beach and Tennis Club.

There are a variety of water sports with equipment that you can rent right from the beach. Centre Nautique Pierre Plouffe allows you to borrow a kayak, stand up paddle board, canoe, rowboat or paddle boat. For a change, we took a paddle boat out for a spin around the lake. It’s such great exercise – my legs were killing after a short while! The scenery from the shore and out in the water is pretty epic.

INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL

There are so many events to keep you entertained all summer long at Tremblant.

Justin and I visited during the Tremblant International Blues Festival. It’s a massive music festival spanning 10 days and welcoming artists from all over the world. There are more than 100 free outdoor shows featuring blues and other related genres, including R&B, soul, funk, rock, folk, and more.

We were amazed at the unique venues and performances that popped up all over the pedestrian village. We managed to catch the legendary blues-rock guitarist, Coco Montoya on the Casino main stage.

During the Blues Festival, impromptu shows break out where you least expect them. For instance, Endrick and the Sandwiches played a surprise show on the rooftop of the Marriott hotel. For the lucky guests staying at the Marriott, they enjoyed the music from their hotel room balconies or the outdoor swimming pool. For a fleeting moment, those riding the Cabriolet gondola could watch the performance, too.

Music was in the air wherever we went. Walking around the pedestrian village, we stumbled upon musical act after musical act. Sometimes, crowds formed around musicians performing in the middle of the square. Other times, bands played on smaller stages. You could even catch their soundchecks before the gig itself.

For a more intimate setting, we attended a show by Bo Reissette & The Lazy Bones Blues Band at the Casino de Mont Tremblant. We watched the show in a cozy lounge environment this time. Bo Reissette has an incredible singing voice, and we really enjoyed this concert.

We were exposed to so many talented and inspiring artists over our few days at Tremblant that we otherwise would have never discovered. You can get right up close to your favourite bands, which isn’t like any other music festival we’ve ever attended.

While it’s over for this year, you can catch it next year from July 6 – 18, 2018. Be sure to check the website for the latest details.

OTHER SUMMER EVENTS

We highly recommend that you plan your Mont Tremblant summer holiday around one of their festivals. Other than the International Blues Festival, you can visit during:

• Tonga Lumina: Runs until October 9th. It’s an illuminated trail and sensory experience through the forest that you visit at night.
• Wanderlust: A yoga festival with live music, local and sustainable food, and guided adventures.
• Mont Tremblant Half Marathon
• Intimate Concerts: Musical performances in the pedestrian village throughout the summer.
• IRONMAN Triathalon: Athletes will swim 3.8km, bike 180km, and run 42.2km.
• …so many more! Check out the full listing at the Tremblant Resort website.

EAT, EAT, EAT!

I swear that when I travel anywhere, whether it’s the summer or the winter, I spend half of my time eating. Thankfully, Tremblant is extremely vegan-friendly and I found an overwhelming amount of delicious plant-based menu options. Here’s a small selection of what I ate.

You can discover all of Tremblant’s plant-based dining options in our Tremblant Vegan Dining Guide.

To view our pictures from Mont Tremblant in the summer, check out our travel photo album.

GETTING THERE

Travelling to Tremblant by plane is easy. For us, flying from Toronto was super convenient with Porter Airlines. The flight between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (the Toronto Island airport) to Mont Tremblant International Airport is approximately one hour in length.

It was our first time flying with Porter Airlines, and it certainly won’t be our last. Billy BIshop Airport is small, so there aren’t lengthy security lines. Once we went through security, we relaxed in the airport lounge with complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and small snacks.

During the flight, we drank from real glasses and coffee cups with lids. It might sound silly, but that’s a luxury on a plane! The snacks were even better than the usual ones, with yummy treats like apple chips.

The Mont Tremblant International airport is the most adorable airport I’ve ever seen in my life. It looks like a quaint log cabin. On the way back home, going through security was a breeze and the whole process wasn’t stressful in the slightest.

We checked in for our flight home and had one checked piece of luggage between the two of us. A group of ladies were going through security when a guard wouldn’t let them carry on the copious amounts of maple butter they bought as gifts.

I felt their pain; I’ve been fooled by the rules regarding liquids in carry on bags in the past. I had to leave a jar of delicious white chocolate peanut butter behind once as it was considered a “gel”. Well, maple butter is also a gel.

They were just about ready to confiscate four jars of maple butter when I came to their rescue. I offered to transport their goodies in my suitcase and bring them to Toronto. This likely wouldn’t have been possible at any other airport. The conveyor belt where the checked bags went through was directly beside the security line with the metal detector. Thankfully, the Mont Tremblant airport was so small that this maple butter rescue operation was possible.

They were extremely grateful, and one of the airport employees said that I was their passenger of the year! Aw, I was just doing a good deed that I’m sure anyone else would have done if given the chance.

WHERE TO STAY

Mont Tremblant has 13 hotels, 1900 rooms, and a variety of lodging options such as hotels, condos, and mountain homes. We stayed at Ermitage du Lac in the pedestrian village.

Our hotel was within walking distance of everything, and it was a comfortable place to rest our heads at night. Our room had a fireplace and a balcony. One evening, we watched a glorious sunset over the lake from our balcony.

THE VERDICT

We highly recommend embarking on a Mont Tremblant summer holiday. Whether you go on ziplining adventures or relax at the spa, there’s something for every interest and taste. The International Blues Festival is an event that every music lover should experience at least once in their lives.

As we love a multitude of activities, we took pleasure in trying out as many things as we could. It was the first time we took flight in a helicopter, and those zip lines were the fastest we’ve ever experienced. Mont Tremblant is the ultimate place for outdoor adventures or rejuvenating days at the spa or beach.

Mont Tremblant is exciting and fun all year round, with captivating events and festivities throughout the seasons. We adored Mont Tremblant in the summertime. Even though it’s celebrated as a winter destination, we can’t even imagine how summers there could be beat.

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Thank you so much to Tremblant for hosting our stay. 

Have you visited Mont Tremblant before? Did you know it was such an amazing summer destination?