We just returned from our 2nd annual family ski trip to Mount Tremblant, Quebec. Unlike last year, Kyle and I flew there while the rest of the gang made the seven+ hour drive from Toronto. 
Kyle and I flew Porter (www.flyporter.com). I can’t say enough good things about this airline. The experience was amazing and so fast. I only had to show up 30 minutes before take-off, even with a toddler! We received tons of snacks and drinks at the lounge and Kyle loved watching the airplanes. Before I knew it, we landed. A shuttle bus took us right to the village where Kyle and I had a few hours to kill before everyone else arrived.
First stop, FOOD! We went to an Italian restaurant (http://www.pizzateria.com/) and shared a salad and a pizza. I unfortunately didn’t plan his clothes very well as he was wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs sweatshirt in the (Montreal) Canadians home turf. 
Thankfully no one made a comment about it.* After lunch, I took him to the indoor play pool located in the village – Aquaclub La Source (http://www.tremblant.ca/activities/winter/activities/aquaclub/index-e.htm). There was a great wading pool for babies / toddlers with a water slide that I was able to take Kyle down. 
There was even a jacuzzi the size of a small pool that wasn’t too hot and full of little kids. It was also pretty neat to watch the skiers from the glass windows surrounding the pools. Kyle and I ended our two-hour adventure in the jacuzzi. We warmed up, changed and made our way to the chalet to meet the rest of the gang and daddy. I had to make a quick detour for a Beaver-Tail. It was sooooooo yummy, I couldn’t resist!!!
The next day, John and I got to hit the slops while his family watched Kyle. We made it to the gondola at 8:30 and we finished our first run by 9:00. 
It was amazing to get back on the skis after a one-year hiatus. The snow conditions were great but the weather was a little on the chilly side (-16 degrees on the top; but felt much colder due to the wind). Since this would be my only day of skiing, I wanted to take advantage of it. We skied about 5 runs, before we had to go inside for a quick break. My toes were frostbitten and my fingers extremely cold. 
After warming up by the fire and drinking some coffee, we hit the slops again. We were able to ski right into our chalet for a quick-lunch break and continued until the last ski-lift at 3:45. 
I don’t know if it was the time of year, the weather or the overall winter seasons that we’ve had, but the slops were empty. It was amazing! On some runs, it felt like John and I were the only ones there. We had the whole trail to ourselves, and we loved it. 
Of course, the best part about skiing is the ‘apres ski’. We stopped at “Le Shack” in the village and ordered a few pitchers, some POUTINE (when in Rome) and shared a few laughs and stories before we headed back to the chalet for dinner.
Tuesday morning, after Kyle’s morning nap and before we had to leave for the airport, I took Kyle to the village. 
The weather was warming up and we hung out at the bottom of the hill watching the skiers go by. Kyle loved just “running” around in the snow and sliding down on this bum on a small hill. He tiered himself out enough that he napped the entire ride to the airport.
If you’re looking for a fun, quick and great family get-away, look no further than Tremblant. Whether you’re a skier / snowboarder or just there with friends or family, there is something for everyone. If you happen to be there with the kiddies but no one to watch them, Tremblant does offer daycare (Kids Club) for children 1 to 6 years old. http://www.tremblant.ca/activities/kidz/index-e.htm
Hope you have fun 🙂
* Its possible everyone was mesmerized by Kyle cuteness so they weren’t capable of speaking!
Related articles
- Mont Tremblant – October 7, 2011 (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)
- North America: Best Winter Hotels on the East Coast (hotelclub.com)
- Ski Mont Tremblant – Take 2 – Mont Tremblant, Canada (travelpod.com)
The fact that your son was wearing a Leafs shirt while you were on your way to Quebec was the very first thing I noticed! Go Leafs Go!
It sounds as though you had a pleasant trip! Glad to hear that Porter Airlines was so good. We flew Air Canada last summer, and it was nothing but awful.
Oh ya! Once you fly porter, you’ll never want to fly AC again… or any other airline for that matter.
On the leafs front…don’t get me started 🙁 I can’t believe they may not make the playoffs again this year. It’s sad!1
It’s still perfectly within their reach, though I’m a little shocked by the abhorrent month that they’ve been having.
Looks different in the winter. Have to try the skiing there one day, but hard to do with all the skiing only an hour or two away from Calgary.
This year the snow wasn’t even as much as last year! But I def. understand. You can’t beat the West Coast / Rockies for skiing. Tremblant is pretty much the best we have closest to Toronto.
I hear you. Loved it there though. We hit it during Thanksgiving. The colours were phenomenal. We don’t get the reds out here.
Oh my goodness, your son is adorable =) I can’t wait to take my son on his first ski trip … great post!
awwww – thanks 🙂 We also can’t wait until he’s actually old enough to ski. My husband was ready to make him try at 17 months! lol Have a great time.