Family Guide to Tremblant in Summer – Where to Stay, Eat & Explore

If this Summer had a feeling, ‘joie de vivre’ would be a good description (with the usual Summer travel shenanigans 😉).  When deciding on where to cap off Summer with the family, so many mentioned Mont Tremblant.  And after our very first visit, we can see why – the food, the atmosphere, activities for all tastes, Tremblant really has it all!  So, if a visit is on your radar during the warmer months (mid-May to mid-October), here’s our Family Guide to Tremblant in Summer – Where to Stay, Eat & Explore.

Note: we made a road trip adventure out of this holiday (6.5 hours from Toronto), but there are lots of direct flight options PLUS airport-Tremblant shuttle services for alternative ways to get there.

Disclaimer: accommodations, dining perks & activity passes were provided by the Tremblant Resort Association to facilitate this post.  As always, all opinions relating to our experience are our own.

STAY

Tremblant has such a fantastic selection of lodging options, I’m not sure that you could make a bad choice, but our stay at Lodge de la Montagne was so well-suited to our family dynamic – here’s why:

Proximity to Pedestrian Village – with under a two-minute walk from the lodge we were smack dab in the middle of all the action & amenities of the Village.  Other than a day trip to the local beach, our car stayed parked in the underground lot for the duration of our stay as everything was accessible by foot.  Lodge de la Montagne is also closest to Le Cabriolet – the complimentary shuttle from the top to the base of the village if you need a boost or just want to soak in the shops/restaurants with a view.

Spacious Family Suites – rooms that can accommodate our large size comfortably is always top criteria, and our two-bedroom suite at Lodge de la Montagne met the mark.  We loved the rustic meets modern charm, the kitchenette with full-size fridge to store all the munchies, two modern bathrooms & a dining + lounge area to unwind in between activities.

Lodging perks – when you stay at select lodging facilities in and around the village exclusive perks are included, like our complimentary Panoramic Gondola Passes up the mountain for the duration of our 2-night stay.

The Pool – yes, another top criteria for our gang and such a great way to cool off after working up a sweat from all the adventures in the village.  We think you’ll love that it’s one of the largest, most private & gorgeous of the on-property resorts, and parents can have a bit of peace of mind with the on-duty lifeguard.  It’s only open in the Summer, but they do have an outdoor spa/hot tub year-round too in case you can sneak in a mom/dad time-out to recharge.

Where to EAT Tremblant

You could visit Tremblant and be totally satisfied with a culinary adventure all its own.  There are TONS of fabulous dining options, and impossible to fit them all in with our 3 day stay, but of the spots we did try, these were our family’s faves:

Breakfast

La maison de la Crepe

When in Quebec, you start your day with an “authentique” crepes and La maison de la Crepe does not disappoint.  You’ll have a hard time selecting from 32 sweet or savoury options from the main + Kids’ menu, but we devoured the Gros Jambon, Brunch de la maison & Chococo…delish!  It’s a morning hot spot, but not to worry if there’s a wait – head to the kids’ Pirate Park right beside the resto and they’ll text you when your table’s ready!  They serve Starbucks coffee here too which you’ll love if that’s your java of choice.

Lunch

Le Shack Resto-Bar

Right in the heart of the village and action of Place St. Bernard, this is a fantastic family dining spot apres village fun – Le Shack.  There’s a terrific terrace to bask in the warm weather while you dine, or uplifting atmosphere indoors where the sports fanatics of your crew can keep up with the scores while they chow down like ours did.  I gobbled up the Chicken Fajitas, the big guys demolished steaks & a “Big Shack” burger (they have gluten-free buns for those with dietary restrictions), and the littles had their faves from the nice kids’ menu selection.  The choice of 8 milkshake flavours to wash it down left a great impression on the kiddos as well 😊

Dinner

Yaoooo Pizza Pub

Friday nights are usually our family “Pizza Night” and we couldn’t have indulged in a better spot – the casual and family-friendly Yaoooo Pizza Pub.  Seriously, we eat A LOT of zah and our kids said it was “the best [they’d] ever had”.  THE DOUGH…oh my yum!  You’ll get what we mean when you try it.  The pizza is satisfying all its own, but the Plateau de Charcuterie was a great starter to nip “hangry” in the bud and the (3) pizzas we tried – Prosciutto & Arugula, New York Pepperoni & Margherita were certifiably delish!  Have a slice or two less than you’d normally to save room for dessert – the Skillet Cookie & Cinnamon Streusel Rolls…divine!  Tip:  the resto is smaller so if you’re a big gang or group like us, make a reservation.  Owner Jimmy was the coolest and we know he’ll make sure you have a great experience. (*2021 update – their is an outdoor area to dine or the resto has a take-out pizza window set up.  Giving service sector labour shortages, I would highly recommend the take out option at Yaoooo*)

Coco Pazzo

If you’re looking for a more upscale spot to dine, try Coco Pazzo!  Tucked away from the crowds, we enjoyed fine Italian cuisine on their outdoor terrace with a bit more quiet, and us parents a nice bottle of vino from their fine selection of wines.  Don’t worry if the kids get antsy, it’s right beside an open area they can play while the adults finish their meal (and you’ll want to finish!).

Our Primi Piatti were the Coco Pazzo & Del Orto salads and Antipasti the Calamari to share.  All their pastas are homemade, and we inhaled the Linguini Pescatore and Bucatini Carbonara, and the kids scarfed down the Roasted Chicken and plain spaghetti.  Delizioso!

Note: they do have a nice selection Gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.  Reservations are strongly recommended. (*2021 update: Coco Pazzo was temporarily closed during our August 2021 stay.  Unsure if they will be re-opening*)

Bullseye Saloon & Grill

One of the best outdoor dining views of Place St-Bernard, serving steak, fish, seafood and other grilled dishes, plus sandwiches and salads.  All the kids’ faves on the children’s menu too – hot dogs, burgers, pizza, pasta, etc.  The Soho Clam Chowder was nice & perfect way to warm up on a chilly evening.  The steak was “just okay”, says DadChef, but our biggest dude devoured the fall-off-the-bone ribs.  The Sante Fe Grilled Chicken Sandwich was delish too.

Ice Cream

Yup, I’m making a 4^th meal category for ice cream because it’s a whole experience all its own in Tremblant (and a must-do on any Summer family vacation).  The creamy soft serve doused in Maple Butter from Cabane a Sucre de la Montagne was as good as you’re imagining right now & experiencing Oh la Vache is a must – choose from 12 on-premise-made dips to slather your homemade ice cream with…Holy Cow YUM!

More Dessert Faves at Tremblant

*2021 UPDATE: Our new fave ice cream hang is Chocolato offering creamy soft serve with option to dip in world-class chocolate flavours, colourful slushies, homemade Gelato, salivation-inducing Sundaes & much more!

Beignes d’Antan

(*2021 Update*)

New to the resort since our last visit, a pit stop for potato donuts made with a traditional Quebec recipe is a must.  I first tried these on our trip to Lanaudiere – yum-aze!  Our flav-orites: white sugar-coated & maple syrup drenched + you need to try their pouf a la creme (crushed Oreo was the kids’ fave!).

NOTE: we loved the variety of dining options to suit every budget (moderate – upscale) and found prices very reasonable compared to other tourist destinations.  You can save a bit on food costs by heading to the grocery shop in the Village and making a few meals in your suite’s kitchen or having simple starts to the mornings packing staples like cereal as we did.

EXPLORE

You will be far from hard pressed to find activities that suit every taste in your gang at Tremblant in the warmer months, and while we tried, may be tough to fit every option in during a short stay.  Tremblant really is a hub of endless family fun.  Here are some for-fee and free suggestions based on a 3 day stay with kids ages tyke to preteen (4 – 11 years old).

Activity Card Faves

Most activities at the resort do cost some bucks, so if you plan on trying them, you’ll definitely want to get an Activity Card for each member of your family to save some money.  Activity cards come in 3, 5 & 7 admissions bundles at 3 price points: Peewee, Child & Adult.  No problem if you don’t use all the activations during your stay – your pass is good for the entire season (Summer would be mid-May to mid-October).  Tip: Save an extra 10% on the cards by purchasing online at least 48 hours prior to your arrival.

For the whole family:

1. Panoramic Gondola Ride: definitely a highlight of our trip. Soaking up the gorgeous views of the resort while ascending the mountain, followed up with a small hike and nature reset at the top of the mountain.  Our Gondola passes were included as a lodging privilege at Lodge de la Montagne, but are an option with your activity card too.

1. Beach & Tennis Club: another must-do for your whole gang, we spent hours being beach bums at Lac Tremblant with incredible views of the Laurentian Mountains . The big dudes had a blast on the in-water jungle gym “Iceberg”, while Dad and I hung out with the little ones shore-side.  If you get hungry, there’s a quick service food counter with simple fare like burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and drinks where you can grab a “Lunch Trio” with your activity pass.  Admission to the beach + a water activity (Iceberg, boat rental, etc.) + a Lunch Trio would be 3 hits on your Activity pass.  Note: no outside food & drink is permitted with the exception of water.

1. Le Petit Geant Mini Golf : this was a fun, laid back activity we all enjoyed, and Dad held down his Putting Champ title. I’d suggest going first thing in the morning, or late afternoon when the sun isn’t so high.

1. Mission Liberte: if your gang likes escape room challenges, this is a fun one for all to crack clues and test your cleverness against the clock. We tried the Super Heroes room, which was appropriate for all ages.

Kids’ Faves:

1. Eurobungy: the kids loved the adrenaline surge of soaring high on the harnessed bungy. Tip: The ride is short (4 mins) and wildly popular for kids of all ages so save yourself the wait and get their when it opens at 9 a.m. (*UPDATE 2021 – this activation has been temporarily removed from the resort*)

     2. Tremblant Virtual Reality: the newest addition to the resort (opened Dec 2018), the kids loved this VR gaming experience. 1 hit on your Activity            Card gives you 2 games to choose from (beginner – advance options).  30 min experience.

             3. Mission Laser: our big guys (ages 9 & 11) loved being stealth at this 10-minute laser showdown.

            4. Climbing Tower: another hit with the bigger kids, they’ll get 10 minutes to test their climbing skills.

Unique Experiences at Tremblant

Two of our most memorable experiences during our stay weren’t covered with the activity pass, but deserve honorable mention.

1. Luge:  this is a must-try and so much fun we bet you’ll want to ride on repeat like we did.  It’s truly a unique adventure – the first Summer luge track to hit North America.  After a quick warm up lesson, kids under 110 cm ride with adults and your older ones will love riding parent-free down the 1.4 km track.  We bought a 4-ride Family of 5 pass + PeeWee package (~$110 for all 6 of us). Tip: EXTREMELY popular, its another ride you’ll want to do right when it opens (usually 10 a.m.) before the line up builds. (*UPDATE 2021: the wait was approx. 1.5 hours during our August weekend stay.  Crowd reduced significantly by evenings & during the weekday we were there*)

2.  Tonga Lumina:  we kept the kids up past their bedtime to immerse in a mystical adventure up the mountains (via the ski lift with cool night views of the resort!) to uncover the secrets of the giants.  Choreographed lights and lasers with vocal invitations from wise spirits made for a magical stroll in the mountains’ forest, and the colour of your emulate necklace after the experience will reveal if you’re “the chosen one”.  The adventure was approx. 45 minutes and does involve lots of walking, which pooped the kids out enough to have zero trouble getting them to bed that night 😉.  We did see strollers when we were up there and I wouldn’t hesitate to bring one up if you go with little ones.  Open June – October, prices range from $11.99 (6 years +) – $27.99 (adults 18+).  Kids under 5 are FREE!

FREE Things to Do

We know how paying out of pocket for entertainment can rack up quickly for families, so we were happy to notice lots of FREE options for fun at the resort.  Here’s some that we enjoyed during our stay:

• Cool off at the splash park in the village

• Ride Le Cabriolet – soak in the sights of the Village with an overhead view on the open-air standing gondola that takes you from the base to the top of Pedestrian Village.  Certified accessible for those with mobility challenges.

• Hike up to the Red Chair or all the way up the mountain!

• Go for a stroll and take some gorgeous snaps of all the beautiful shops/cafes/walkways with European flare, do some window shopping or watch how they make fudge & other goodies at the chocolate factory.

• Check the events calendar and take in the concerts & shows of Place St. Bernard. We were there for Musical Weekend and jammed to the incredible Montreal-born band Franklin Electric. (*UPDATE 2021 – there were no Summer events scheduled, likely due to COVID-19 crowd control protocols*)

• Pirates Play Park with slides & climbers (near La Maison de la Crepe)

Even after all mentioned here, there are still so many additional food & activity experiences we still need to try (like Acquaclub la Source set to reopen this November 2019, or dining at the top of the Summit).  I can easily see a visit to Tremblant in Summer being an annual trip for our gang.

While the official end of Summer is just around the corner, most of these experiences are available until mid-October and I imagine a visit when the mountains are draped in colourful Fall foliage would be breathtaking.  So many have mentioned the ambiance of Tremblant in Winter is magical too, so a visit in the colder months is now on the bucket list!

No matter which season you go, though, the resort is a repeat all-season holiday destination of choice for families for so many reasons.  Make sure you take advantage of the best deals & promos by booking directly with the resort and if you need more help planning your family’s ideal getaway, be sure to visit Tremblant.ca for latest news updates!  For video footage of our adventures, also check out our “Tremblant” highlight on Instagram.

Have you experienced Tremblant with your family?  Let us know what your favourite things about it are in comments!

Bon Voyage!