Tremblant Airport

Mont Tremblant has the cutest airport in the world.  A bold and perhaps reckless claim coming from someone who has seen relatively few airports around the world, but even if I'm wrong, I'm sure Tremblant ranks right up there.  There's so much to love about it:

• The terminal building is a glorified log cabin
• When they unload the plane, they put the bags on two trolleys and tow them to the front of the building near the driveway where you can pick up your stuff (yes, the driveway)
• It appears to be managed by a family, complete with a teenage sister annoyed by her younger brother
• The staff are extremely cordial and get to know you by name if you fly there often enough
• There is no PA system.  If they need your attention for a boarding announcement, they just speak up [Update: they have a mini-PA system but they still prefer to just speak up]
• The airport has a single phone number that you can call for flight status, general inquiries, car rentals, etc. It's also the same number pilots can call to arrange an arrival timeslot.  And if nobody answers, you can leave a message and they *will* call you back

For all of the airport's delights, we found it hard to get info so here are a few key tidbits for anyone considering a flight:

• Location - Mont Tremblant airport isn't actually in Mont Tremblant...it's near a town called La Macaza, which is about a 40-minute drive north of Tremblant
• Ground transport - to get to Mont Tremblant, you'll need to either rent a car or take one of the shuttles to the participating hillside resorts.  If you opt for the shuttle, you do need to book it in advance, and details can be found on the official Tremblant site.  But you can book both rental cars and the courtesy shuttles at the same phone number, 819-275-9099.  If you opt for the shuttle, note that they take the back roads, which are both picturesque and twisty.  If you get car sick easily, consider asking to sit up front where at least you can keep your eyes on the horizon.  My advice: don't consider taking a taxi, as it'll run you about $90 one-way.
• Checking in - this is a small operation so don't worry about arriving two hours prior to your flight.  One hour is generally plenty as you'll be through the check-in and security in no time.  Note that you can't print your boarding pass in advance when departing Tremblant...they will have it waiting for you in an organized pile of passes for everyone leaving that day!
• Food - there is no restaurant at the airport.  Just a couple vending machines for pop, water, coffee and snacks.  Do bring some treats if you need to nibble while you wait for your plane. [Update: there is a small snack counter that serves beer and wine, although it isn't always staffed.]
• Information - see the official Mont Tremblant airport website.