Destination Showcase: Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
MONT-TREMBLANT, QC
Nestled deep in the Laurentian Mountains
Words & Photography by Trevor Lyden
Presented by Tourism Mont-Tremblant
Nestled deep in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec in Eastern Canada lies the resort town of Mont-Tremblant. With a population of just over 10,000, this French-inspired village has just the right amount of amenities, without the hustle and bustle of a prime destination resort.
The Mont-Tremblant city can essentially be broken down into 3 distinct areas. First off is the ski resort itself. It features a maximum elevation of 875 meters which can be accessed by a total of 14 different lifts. The resort operates year-round and during the summer months has activities ranging from mountain biking, road cycling, zip lining, alpine luge and a plethora of various warm weather endeavors. There are numerous lakes in the area which provide the ideal location to cool down and take a dip after a long day of enjoying the great outdoors.
While in town, make sure to try your hand at the alpine luge!
The best spot for breakfast in the village.
Approximately 5 kilometers from Mont-Tremblant is Le Village. Located on the scenic shores of Lake Mercer this quaint section of town is home to a bike/coffee shop, restaurants, pubs, shopping options and even a historic train station. A bike path connects the Village to the resort which makes for a quick and easy jaunt to get your apres ride drinks. The free of charge Mont-Tremblant tram is a great way to get a bird's eye view of the village.
The Quilicot shop in the Tremblant Factoreries has all your bicycle needs.
A short 10-minute drive takes you to the downtown area of Mont-Tremblant. This part of the Mont-Tremblant trio is where you can find the majority of the 21st century amenities we’ve all grown accustomed to. Along with the usual shopping options, this part of town is where you can also find a larger bike shop, should anything happen to your trusty steed while you’re on your mountain vacation.
Big chair in a little town.
World famous giant Mont-Tremblant chair
Mountain biking has been a popular attraction in the Laurentian mountains for quite some time, with many primitive trails sprawled throughout the hillsides. Over the past few years, the local trail organization, Velo Mont-Tremblant, has been increasing the number of public bike trails and doing extensive work to build a large trail system. Throughout the area, you can find kilometers of singletrack with difficulties ranging from mellow flowy cross-country trails to steep, technical climbs and descents. There are three pump tracks dispersed in the area, which are the ideal place to build your bike skills and work on your endurance.
One of three pump tracks in the area.
Velo Mont-Tremblant has been a key part in revamping the local trail system.
Tunnel riding through town on the way to the local trails.
One of the few technical drop sections on the trails near the resort.
Waterfalls and granite slabs, that's what Mont-Tremblant is all about.
A wallride deep in the woods.
Air time in the woods
Many of the trails run alongside the river with easy access for a quick cool off dip.
A newer trail, which was rumored to be built by Anthill films for a recent movie.
While there are countless miles of singletrack, there's also a small zone to work on your drop progressions.
Each summer, Mont-Tremblant plays host to the Crossroads Bike Festival. This three-day event is a celebration of all things biking and is a mashup of road cycling, gravel riding and mountain biking. Road cyclists can partake in Grand Fondo, Criterium or Sunset Ride while mountain bikers can participate in the Dual Slalom race or try and earn points in either the Canada Cup XC or DH races. Spectators are welcome at any event and can also enjoy the expo area or one of the multiple dirt jump sessions hosted by Matt Macduff and The Rise.
The cross country racers ride straight through the picturesque town during the Crossroads event.
Conditions were muddy for the Crossroads downhill event.
A flowing creek alongside the downhill track.
The dual slalom event was a crowd favorite at the Crossroads festival.
A foggy tram ride on the summit.
Wet conditions for XC.
Kids zone at Crossroads.
Matt Macduff putting on a show.
Mont-Tremblant has successfully solidified itself as a four seasons destination and an ideal location for a mountain retreat. Visitors can shop, dine and recreate to their heart's content.
Donate to the local trail association using Trailforks Trail Karma here.
Pinkbike would like to thank:
Mont-Tremblant Resort
Tourism Mont-Tremblant
Velo Mont-Tremblant
Crossroads Tremblant
To learn more about biking in Mont-Tremblant or to book a trip visit, Mont-Tremblant Resort.
Author Info:
Member since May 5, 2014
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Cue my internet stoning of down votes!
Tremblant, you read these commets!!!! and fix this situation if you are placing ads on pink bike you better show up!!!
Criterium coupe du Canada is a pretty technical cross-country trail that's a pretty big job to climb. Heading south from the porte du soleil chairlift dropoff point, the descent into the chouette nord is fun as heck. Geai bleu heading south has a super fun descent full of roots and rocks. The climb is decently long both ways, the descent heading north is fun too but not quite as much as the other side. Gorge is fun if you like flowy stuff also. Then there's the other area with Envoye en Bas that is a freeride-ish trail and is super fun too.
The biggest issue with Tremblant for me is the flatness, there are sadly no trails on the upper mountain so you ride along short ups and downs and long flats pretty often. This is fairly standard riding for me near Montreal so it's not a huge negative, but if you are used to bigger mountains it might be a drag. The other issue is that the rest of the area isn't developed like the Quebec city region (MSA + SDM + E47 + VBN are close enough that you can easily hit them all without too much annoyance) so you will not have much alternate riding nearby if you stay there.
It sure sucks that there's no chairlift, but it's even worse that the upper mountain is not used.
Ski Bromont (chair access trail network) has it's own bullshit, the Bromont trails built by the city (les amis des sentiers) are great though.
Tremblant does have a lot of non-mountain biking stuff to do (as does Montreal). If you're coming for a pure mountain biking trip (don't care about partying or family stuff), I'm don't think that places near to Montreal are worth it (Eastern Townships, Laurentiens, etc). There's a lot more to bike around Quebec City.
Tremblant and local area (too many to list) offers everything form XC, freeride, down hill, cross and road. I bike here all the time and come up from Toronto. The dirt here is amazing the trail are amazing, the amount of work that was put in here in last 3 years it’s incredible. You need to work to earn it and better trails are not in clear sight. There are also many places close by when you drive up from Montreal to stop and bike. Just look at trail forks.
I like Bromont but to compare it’s like apple to orange to different styles.
Tremblant offers many hotels, restaurants and friendly people
I have traveled in many places and for a dad with kids this place has it all.
I highly recommend it and do your home work. I still don’t understand why this turned into a comparison between Bromont and Tremblant.
Go ride your bike and enjoy the journey!
Bromont, well.... you're right about them but it is better right now then it was last year and a new map just came out like last week or so! I often have to help some ''tourist'' on the trails but they like them so much and are more than happy to come back!
My theory is that they are not developing DH/enduro in the mountain area because the Fullface helmets and the dirty jerseys will scare the old golfers away.
As for language, my suggestion is to learn 3 or 4 words in German, and lead with them. Then when nobody understands, graciously switch to English.
Otherwise, Mont Tremblant is a great destination for outdoor lovers. There is tons to do, the Quebec National Park at the back is fascinating too. If you happen to be in the area for other reasons, it doesn't hurt to take your bike and enjoy the XC trails.
I wish the resort realizes the potential and does something about it!
Was 30 mins east of there last week and the mosquitoes/black flies/horse flies/deer flies were voracious !