Tremblant Ski Village

The slope-side village at Mont Tremblant is sneeringly described by some locals as Disneyland, with its array of brightly coloured buildings, bustling crowds, shops and condos.  They tend to eschew the village in favour of Old Tremblant and St. Jovite, and I don't blame them, because as I've said in other posts, these towns have much to offer and you're missing out if you don't see them.  But I still love the slope-side village, and the Disney label doesn't really work for me.

Place St. Bernard

True, the architecture is trying to emulate the feel of a quaint, historic European town, just as the Disney resorts emulate castles, mountains, etc.  But the Tremblant village has been designed and realized so tastefully, that it's a shame to compare it to anything Disney-like.  Winding lanes, cobblestone walks, elegant terraces and open public squares all add to the European feel.  The Village is also closed to vehicle traffic, making it very walkable and earning it the nickname of the "pedestrian village".  If you don't feel like walking, the Cabriolet Gondola whisks you up the hill from the parking lots to the centre of the village, affording overhead views of the condo pools, outdoor hot tubs and the mini golf course and the kids' zip lining facility.

So why do I love the pedestrian village?  A few reasons:

• It's always alive.  Even on the most quiet days (think April after ski season finishes), there's still life in the village...Tremblant never stops being a beautiful place to visit, so with so many condos, chalets and townhouses on and around the slopes, the village is never deserted.
• Shopping.  OK, I admit it.  I'm a gear hound, and there are many places to get great sportswear year round.  Don't just thinking skiing - think about cycling, hiking, kayaking and running stuff as well. 
• Restaurants and bars.  While the quality is hit and miss, there are so many varied restaurants you could literally feed yourself for a week without eating the same thing twice.
• Music festivals.  During the summer months,there are weekly acts at the permanent stage at Place St. Bernard, as well as large festivals for Blues, Jazz and Classical music.