Bonjour friends! The temperature outside is dropping and the roads have already been dusted with the first sprinklings of snow, which can only mean one thing: ski and snowboard season is upon us. Over the years, I’ve visited many mountains in the Northeast, but nothing compares to the gorgeous views of Mont Tremblant in Québec. With cobblestone streets, spectacular views and a variety of outdoor activities, Mont Tremblant is the perfect winter break getaway for ski bums and lodge loungers alike. Here’s what you need to know:

The Trails. First and foremost, the snowmaking and grooming of Mont Tremblant might be some of the best in North America. The mountain includes 96 ski trails suitable for both skiers and snowboarders with a variety of green, blue and black runs to choose from. However, I think the most incredible feature is at the summit, which offers breathtaking views over the Laurentians.

Where to Stay? Mont Tremblant has an impressive selection of accommodations for every type of traveler, but, my biased opinion would suggest staying in one of the beautiful condos in the heart of the Pedestrian Village. These condos not only offer beautiful views of the picture-perfect Euro-style village at the base of the mountain but also provide easy access to the ski lifts. We went through Airbnb to secure our condo and it was perfect for 7-8 people. It was cozy yet spacious and our living room window had a great view of the Village (the featured image of this post was taken from our balcony). The most ideal feature of our condo was that the main chair lift was a 300 ft walk from our front door. But, if you’d rather post up in a hotel, here are a few other options:

Le Westin Resort & Spa
Fairmont Tremblant
Chateau Beauvallon Mont Tremblant

Where to Eat? The Pedestrian Village has a plethora of food options that will appeal to every palate. My recommendation? Do not leave without ordering a plate of poutine. Resto-Bar Le Shack is a great après–ski spot located right at the base of the mountain. I would describe the vibe as a sports bar meets a whimsical treehouse (there is an actual tree growing up the center of the restaurant). For an intimate dinner option, try out Le QG Resto-Pub. The atmosphere is cozy, and the food is delicious. We booked a reservation for 8 people with no issues and the staff was very helpful and friendly. If beer is your thing, there’s a brewery in the Pedestrian Village with great beers on tap. La Diable Micro Brewery has a bunch of craft beers brewed in-house.

Dog Sledding. Have you ever seen the Disney movie Balto? If you haven’t, it’s about a sled-dog team in Alaska whose mission is to deliver life-saving serum to a town suffering from a deadly epidemic. Heavy storyline, I know, but it’s one of my cousin’s favorite Disney movies. When I told him we were going to Québec, his immediate response was “we’re going dog sledding.” So, what did we do? We went to Expedition Wolf for the afternoon to go dog sledding. I can honestly say it was the highlight of my trip. Not only did we guide our own team of huskies, but we were treated to hot chocolate in the most adorable wood cabin in the heart of the Canadian forest. And, at the end of the tour, they let us play with and feed the dogs. I was in dog heaven!

Après-ski. If the idea of being strapped to two giant pieces of plastic scares you, The Pedestrian Village is a great alternative to skiing. For starters, there are a ton of unique shops and restaurants that you can pop into. If you’re looking to switch gears altogether, you can spend a relaxing afternoon at the spa. The Scandinave Spa in Mont Tremblant offers a traditional Norwegian Steam Bath experience in a tranquil and natural environment. If you like gambling, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant is a great place to try your luck. Oh, and for those of you who are looking for an Instagram worthy backdrop, make sure you take an obligatory picture on the oversized Tremblant chair.

Don’t Forget the Nightlife! My visit to Mont Tremblant was to celebrate one of my friends’ birthdays. After a delicious birthday dinner at Le QG Resto-Pub, we popped over to Le P’tit Caribou for a fun night out. We were not disappointed. Le P’tit Caribou has been ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the top après-ski bars in the WORLD. It’s got top-notch DJs, an impressive cocktail menu, and the crowd is a good mix of tourists and locals.

Have you ever visited Mont Tremblant? What did you love most about your visit?