Our primary work area on this shift is one of our all-time favorite sectors of the Mountain, the Summit off of the Expo Quad Chair to the North-East including Sissy Schuss and La Griffe, but first, we have to get there from the main Mountain Service Garage, located just North and below the top of the Flying Mile Quad Chair.

Proceeding to Beauvalon, then up to the Summit, down the right side of Beauchemin, up Gagnon half way to turn left into the side door of Sissy Schuss, we start making laps there, including La Griffe.

The first thing you realize is that driving up any of Tremblant’s diverse range of trails is such a completely different perspective than the feeling you have from years of skiing down them.

The steepness seems quite a bit more dramatic for example, as we are sometimes pushing what seems like a wall of snow before us while looking skyward on the most inclined portion of Le Griffe. It’s an impressive sight indeed to watch how much weight our machine is moving upward to be spread back over the run from the days traffic.

It does not take long to realize though, that the real magic of the process lies in the skilled hands of people like our units operator Claude, who has been doing this job for literally decades. His experienced hands move on the controls of of the BR350 Groomer/Packer instinctively. He’s not looking anywhere but where he wants the machine to go and with subtle but firm motions of the control levers, it almost magically travels to the points he’s focused on, all the while miantaining the most level ribbon of finished corduroy you can imagine behind.

This is the point that triggered the connection to Sculpting. Claude is not just driving this machine, he is using it as an extension of his hands and eyes to guide its tracks, blades, powerful tiller and corduroy sweeps to create a rendering of smooth Alpine descents that is nothing less than artistic.

The flow of corduroy from side to side of each run that he works on, is in perfect harmony with the contours of the land. Spots that need attention for whatever reason are given extra snow and carefully blended into a seamless field of immaculate white lines that when finished, go on as far as the eye can see.

An additional facet of our drivers skill is his ability to work with the machine in a rhythm that suits its abilities very well. Even with a heavy uphill load, he is not pushing the machine to the point it seems stressed. Working hard, for sure, but never beyond the point that it is doing anything more than using its muscle in exactly the way it was designed and intended to do.

An efficient combination of man and machine can cover just around 4 acres per hour, so obviously to cover anywhere from below 100 acres at seasons start, to what we estimate would be well over 500 acres at the seasons maturity, it takes an inventory of of equipment and support staff that can be deployed to cover the needed surfaces overnight.

The Mountain Operations Management Staff has that down to a science, so much so that it might be easy for the average Tremblant Skier or Snowboarder to come to expect the fine groomed surfaces we see each and every morning, just because they are so consistently there. Behind the scenes however, the logistical efforts required to generate the smooth morning conditions mean the co-ordinated action of a team that must operate with military precision to not only cover the ground foot by foot, acre by acre, but support the equipment with maintenance and service that keeps everything in top shape.

Like all Ski Resorts, Tremblant does not groom everything on the Mountain because there are many Mountain users that prefer natural conditions on certain trails or runs, so the scope of this article does not involve the strategic decision making regarding grooming on specific runs/trails, other than to say that we understand that many factors including Customers, Ski Patrol, Mountain Operations and Resort Management may all factor in to the final decisions.

A significant purpose for this article is to convey to prospective Tremblant visitors/guests the exceptionally fine quality that Mountain crews here routinely deliver. It is a consistent high quality grooming level that you can not find at many large ski resorts, simply because the groomed acreage is so extensive.

This is a standard feature of the Tremblant Alpine experience from the first day of the season to the last, and every day between.

This point is brought into clear focus with the Ski Magazine 2012 annual resort guide issue where Tremblant ranks ahead of all but one of its big mountain peers in the Grooming survey category. Coming in ahead of names like Stowe, Lake Placid, Killington, and Jay Peak,  none of which even made the top 10 of this category as Tremblant did, means that when you make the decision to come to Tremblant, within the scope of Mother Natures weather variables that all Ski Resorts have to contend with, your benefit is that you can rely on having the best possible surface conditions.

We think the Grooming Staff are the un-sung heroes of the very fine conditions we see virtually every day.

They start after we’ve had a great day carving up the Mountain, and they work with the sometimes overwhelming odds of Mother Nature until just before we get back for another fresh start the next morning.

We rarely get a chance to thank them, so here’s our 3 Cheers for the Mountain Operations Grooming Staff!!! 

You do great work!!!

You can read about Tremblant conditions/grooming, both current and archived, in our daily Mountain Reports.

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(Get Real Clauses:

Sometimes we get slammed for being too positive, however, some people would complain about the bruising if they fell into a ditch full of gold nuggets.The people that have the most fun in any outdoor sport effected by weather, are the ones that can adapt the most and the quickest, so within that reference, we will always remain positive.

As fine as things are for the vast majority of groomed areas, that does not mean there are no glitches. Dealing with Mother Nature means that not everything can be perfect, only close.

Mountain users need to use common sense with regard to speed, braking and steering control where natural hazards can exist at any time of season for reasons, including, but not limited to: unpredictable weather variables, daily traffic use, steeper pitches, around trail intersections, run-out zones, or areas that are intentionally left un-groomed for experts who prefer those conditions.

Many complaints can be linked to dull edges, terrain selections too difficult for the users skill set, too much speed for the conditions, or all of the above.

If you have sharp edges, select terrain that is within your skills and control your speed, you will have a great day on the slopes of Tremblant. Period.

If you have not had a ski or board tune-up within 10 days, or if you have been running metal rails/features that instantly dull edges, get your edges and bases done if you want to ski or board open Alpine terrain and maximize safety, control and fun!)

“Tremblant Skis Off With Top Honors Again…”

Taking first place over Eastern North Americas biggest and best such as Stowe, Whiteface/Lake Placid, Stratton and Killigton is no easy feat at the best of times, but Tremblant’s ability to remain solidly on top in the number 1 position for 15 years in a row is nothing short of both remarkable and a testament to the quality of the overall Resort experience.

Year after year, Tremblant continues to deliver a balance of fine accommodations, food  and  Mountain conditions that consumers find an irresistible combination.

Ski Magazine’s Reader Resort Survey covers 20 different categories and in arguably the most important one, “Overall Satisfaction”, Tremblant comes out ahead of all the other “Major” resorts. We say “Major” because there are 3 smaller ski areas ahead on that list, but they are nowhere near the size and scope of Tremblant or the other big resorts listed, which is an important distinction for those seeking the kind of amenities that can only come with the bigger developments.

Similarly, and in a category we really like because we’re “Front Side Carvers” and we just love to rip off thousands of turns every day, there are only 2 of the major’s listed in the top 10 under “Grooming” and you guessed it, Tremblant is right up there. Anyone that’s skied the big areas will know exactly why… the highly skilled members of the Tremblant Mountain Operations crews are just about the peak of perfection when it comes to covering hundreds of acres every night with some of the finest corduroy you’ll ever carve an edge on.

Be sure to check out this Special Edition “Ski” Resort Survey issue, available right now, where ever magazines are sold. We found our copy in Canada at a local “Chapters” book store and we were thrilled to find this great feature that confirms what we’ve known all along… Tremblant Rules!

Hello England!       Hello Toronto!

Hello Boston, New York and Pittsburgh!

Hey Maritimes, Hong Kong, California, and you too Florida!

You Can All Buy The Tremblant T66 Ski/Board Bargain Of The Decade!

Unless you buy a full-out seasons pass, Tremblant’s brilliant T66 discount pass is the only way to go if there’s any way you can be at Tremblant for either multi one day visits, or, more than one, multi-day visits. So, if you can get the days, don’t even think about it, just move as quickly as you can on this.

Essentially, If you’re on a budget, You can’t afford to Ski or board anywhere else but Tremblant with this wonderful program.

Honest to Goodness, this “no brainer”, “too easy” bundle of 66 days for one low price is the absolute Ski/Board bargain of the decade. Period.

Are we repeating ourselves? You Bet! This point needs to be well made, and just like school, you may need to hear it more than once to get it into your conscious to a level that at the very least, compels you to thoroughly examine the economies of scale that can literally and very positively effect the days you can ski or board in a season.

There’s only one way to asses this opportunity, and that means performing the homework necessary to analyze the numbers, and consequently, the benefits…

We do the math…

For purposes of this exercise, we’re going to use the price for the 2011/12 winter season, but of course, you can apply the arithmetic to any future numbers in this exact way to build a precise costing model.

Firstly, for a mere $269.00 Advance Purchase valid up to the end of October(*), you are buying a “Bundle” of 66 days for the season that you now “Own”, and you can Ski or Board from 1 to all 66 days for that same price. Tremblant.ca chooses the dates well in advance and publishes them in a calendar format(sample attached below).

We called Tremblant.ca’s Customer Service 1-800 number to get the total including all applicable fees and taxes which takes us up to $312.58. So, if you could use all 66 days, your cost per day would be $312.58, divided  by 66 = $4.74!

So then, tell us where you can Ski or Board the quality and scope of Tremblant for as low as $4.74 per day?

Of course, it’s not likely that there will be many that can organize their time well enough to get all 66 days, but if you live within the region locally, with a little effort put into planning there’s no reason you probably couldn’t get 10, 15, 20 or more days. Typically there are about 16 weekend days and the T66 Calendar is published around the end of September, or beginning of October, each season.

With up to 7 months of advanced notice, from October to April, if you’re a Ski or Board freak on a budget, you should have plenty of time to organize your days at Tremblant.

So then, back to the math… Using our total, all-in cost, including fees and taxes @$312.58, lets divide that by an easy 10 to come out at a very affordable cost per day of $31.26, and you’ve got 7 months to figure out which 10 days you can get yourself to Tremblant for.

If you extend this mathematical model out to 15 days, the cost per day comes down to $20.84, extended further to 20 days, $312.58 divide by 20 = $15.63 per day!

In addition, the T66 entitles you to 40% off on non T66 Mondays through Thursdays, 25% off on non T66 Fridays and Sundays, and 5% off non T66 Saturdays. In this way, it is possible to plan a very inexpensive week at Tremblant by connecting T66 days with highly discounted fill-ins.

Another super convenient feature of the T66 is the “Direct To Lift” option. By purchasing with a credit card and attaching the card to your T66 pass, on the days you decide to Ski/Board that are non T66, all you have to do is go directly to the lift and get on… No ticket booth… no line-up… and no waiting, proceed straight to Skiing or Boarding. The discounted price for your lift ticket is automatically charged the attached card when your pass is scanned as you board any lift to ride up.

Psychologically speaking, by paying up front for this bundle, you will be far more motivated to get out because you already “own” all/any T66 day(s), so you don’t have to take money out of your pocket to take advantage of them. Another way to “think” of it, is that if you divided the cost of a regular lift ticket into the T66 total,  you “break even” at aprox. 3, 1/2 days, so everything after that is “free”.

As a family of 4, we bought the T66 passes right from the first season they were available all those many seasons ago, and with meticulous, careful planning to co-ordinate weekends, vacation days (we even pulled the kids out of school occasionally to make up a family vacation week or long weekend) in our best season, we managed to get just over 30 days with a cost per day of about $8.00 bucks!

Bottom line on this is that the T66 made it possible for our family to have a real ski season with several multi-day visits and a family Ski-week , when otherwise, we could not have afforded it.

Not everyone that loves to Ski or Board is rich, it’s that simple, and the T66 can make all the difference because now you can afford to re-allocate funds to pay for Ski-Swap equipment for rapidly growing kids, transportation, accommodations, food and all the other things you can think of that you need to get yourself or your family on the Mountain.

This is why we say the Tremblant.ca T66 is a “Gift” for skiers and boarders on a budget.

Thanks Tremblant For Keeping This Valuable Program Running!

Sample T66 Calendar attached below, Courtesy of Tremblant.ca

(*Please note: At the the first of November the Advance Discount ends and the price goes up to $349.00, plus fees and taxes)

 Tremblant.ca T66

Tremblant.ca T66 En Francais

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It’s available on-line as a PDF file, at 13.1 MB, so it may take a brief moment to load on your system, but in terms of quality and completeness of the content, there’s no other single source that can match its scope. You can also find an overview of Tremblant’s marquis summer activities on their summer activities page on Tremblant.ca by clicking here.

Everything from a short day trip from Ottawa, Montreal, a weekend getaway from up-state New York, Vermont, Eastern Ontario, Southern Quebec, to a week or longer summer holiday from anywhere in the world, you can maximize your fun factor with a thorough look at the summer 2010 “Things To Do” at Tremblant brochure.

Your Tremblant summer vacation doesn’t need to break the bank either, with several affordable options… bring your bikes and explore many of the wonderful trails, hike up to Tremblant’s summit for free, or enjoy the view from the comfort of a Gondola with an unlimited pedestrian lift pass for only $31.27, valid from now until the 17th of October.

If you’re looking for a unique golfing experience, Tremblant’s “Things To Do” brochure also has you covered and is a great place to start planning for a vacation on the links.

From the spectacular views, to dozens of exciting activities and lots of fantastic events, Tremblant offers a wonderful way to escape the ordinary for you and your family this summer!

This section of the resort is particularly quiet, and the backdrop of the cliff behind shelters it from most winds. A fresh snowfall makes for a beautiful setting, where tall trees hold the snow within their branches. Parking is just a few short steps away from the front door, so getting luggage and gear in is a breeze. We found the large entrance vestibule very practical for both storing bulky winter clothing as well as keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. Guests are also provided with an outdoor equipment locker large enough for stowing an entire family’s worth of ski/ snowboard equipment.

Inside, we found the decor to be a pleasant combination of neutral wall colourings with natural pine trim, accented by warm, rich earth tones that really complement the open living spaces. Soft, inviting furnishings greet the eye in the living room space, which after an energetic day on the slopes, feel as good as they look. There’s nothing quite like settling into a comfy couch or reclining chair after spending a long day outdoors. Of course, the warm functional fireplace adds just the right touch, and Sunstar provides you with safe logs. The layout of the main living spaces are well organized with distinct sitting, dining and kitchen areas. They allow for easy movement between areas, that I found both spacious and warm at the same time. That’s why I used all those descriptive terms at the beginning, like “at home” and “comfortable”, because that’s precisely the impression you get when you first walk through the door.

Speaking of doors, the mullioned French doors that open out onto the balcony from the living room create a rather luxurious framed view through the trees and the rest of the resort below. You can’t actually see the ski slopes from Les Falaises, but you’ll enjoy a much more private view.

Meal preparation in the kitchen was a joy because we found the “U” shaped layout very functional with all the common kitchen features no further than a step or two away from the centre. Yet there was room for two or more people to make plenty of the delicious culinary delights we enjoy after a long day on the slopes. The tall sit-up counter acts as both an informal breakfast/ snack area, as well as an additional level of counter surface for more complex food preparation, which would come in handy when preparing meals for larger groups. We found the usual assortment of pots, pans, plates, glasses and kitchen utensils to be more than adequate and all the appliances were newly furnished and sparkling clean.

The dining area comfortably seats between 4-6 people, next to its own set of windows. We also found this area useful for sorting “things” out while getting ready to head out for a day on the mountain, and it doubled as a great spot for getting work done. We were able to set up our laptops and connect to the internet quickly through the unit’s free wireless internet.

One of the main benefits to the layout of our Les Falaises accommodation was the fact that the bedrooms are down the hall from the main living space, so activity from the main living area does not disturb the quiet restfulness or privacy of the master/ guest bedrooms. To this reviewer, that’s an important feature, as undisturbed rest space is a wonderfully relaxing personal preference that makes all the difference for me while on vacation. Once again, neutral backdrops accented with rich tones and patterns put you at ease. On a practical note, you’ll find a washer/ dryer in the hallway, and plenty of bedroom storage for your clothing to tuck everything neatly away. The master bedroom has its own on-suite with a jacuzzi style tub to soak away your aches after a long day on the mountain. The guest bath with its own shower is in the hallway, easily accessible to the main living space for the convenience of your guests when entertaining.

It’s possible to ski-in to Les Falaises from the mountain via the South Side P2 Trail (also referred to as the blue run called Chalumeau on your Tremblant trail map) and then following a smaller trail the rest of the way. Getting to the hill is easy with the regularly running shuttle (that can also return you at the end of the day) or by taking a quick 5 minute walk across to the resort’s main gondola.

All in all, Les Falaises is exactly the kind of place you’d re-book for future visits without question. We certainly felt that way after the first 5 minutes we were there, and we wouldn’t hesitate going back in a heartbeat!

Free And Always Included With Your Lodging*

• One day access to the pool of Aquaclub La Source per person per stay (November 1st 2009 to April 19th 2010)
• Evening activities: entertainment and sliding for the whole family (December 19th 2009 to March 19th 2010)
• Skate rentals and access to the outdoor skating rink (From December 19th 2009 to March 14th 2010)
• Access to the First Tracks: access to the slopes 30 minutes before everybody (December 19th 2009 to March 28th 2010)

*Schedule and activities are subject to change without notice and can be modified based on weather.

The unit featured in this review has 2 bedrooms. Les Falaises also offers 1 & 3 bedroom units. For more info, videos, maps, or to make reservations at Les Falaises with Mont Tremblant’s Sunstar click here!

To get to Les Falaises:

From the Sunstar front desk reception at the base of the Cabriolet resort village lift, proceed along the main resort village road Chemin des Voyageurs (which is one way through the drop off zone in the lower village square).

Basically, head back “around the block”, by following Chemin des Voyageurs back out to the main road, turning left at Chemin Cure Deslauriers, then left again on Chemin Duplessis, and left again at the 4 way stop sign back onto the 2 way portion of Chemin des Voyageurs. You’ll pass  the “P-2” parking area and then make a right hand turn onto Chemin de la Foret.  As you work your way up the steep hill you will quickly come to a “T” intersection and will need to bear right to stay on Chemin de la Foret. Not much further, Les Falaises is the first left.

Les Falaises Gallery

Event coverage:

• Tremblant360.com was there to cover the event, bringing you the entire press conference with Lance Armstrong in a two-part HD video below.
• Megan Ainscow, public relations coordinator for the Cedars Tour de Lance, posted a post-event press release in our chat forums here.
• You’ll find event photos below, as well as some photos courtesy of Asbed.com
• Read more about rider Chantale Germain’s efforts in our pre-event interview here.
• You can find more information about the riders and how to get involved by visiting www.tourdelance.ca

Press conference in HD video (2 Parts):

Event Photos (click to enlarge):

Writing this article has turned out to be more difficult that I expected. I have gone through a few draft copies that have been changed, then changed again. The reasons for this are complex, but a big one is not knowing exactly where to start.

Do I start with her talent, which would be logical because this is a feature about her work? Or, do I start with a look at Annie Tasse, a woman of remarkable sensitivities and heart, the story behind her art? This too would be a logical place to start because I believe her art reflects the rich, deep layers of her personality and inspirations.

To begin with, I am an enthusiastic supporter of Annie Tasse, both as an artist and a person, so perhaps the answer concerning “where to start”, is with both.

As I have gotten to know her better, I have come to a greater sense of appreciation for her that I have not made any secrets about and it is my privilege to be able to help raise awareness of her talents, and who she is, within this article.

Of course, enthusiasm for someone who besides being talented is also beautiful, elegant and single can lead to misunderstandings, but, from the very beginning, I explained this to all my family and friends… the context for my regard for her is borne of respect.

This respect applies to her talent as an artist, which is undeniable, but it also extends to a respect for her as a someone who possesses a most remarkable character of perseverance and sensitivity.

While the primary goal of this review is to present to you a sample of the fine art of Annie Tasse, a secondary goal of this review would be to bring you, the reader, to an understanding of Annie Tasse, the person, prior to seeing her works. Then, when you have the opportunity to see them first hand, you will be able to see them in the right light, having a bit of background on their gifted creator.

Annie Tasse is an easy person to talk with, the warmth of her expression is immediately apparent. While she may seem a bit quiet to begin with, she is a naturally modest person and as soon as she smiles any sense of reserve quickly melts away. If you are lucky enough to spend time conversing with Annie Tasse, it will not take you long to see that you are speaking with an intelligent woman who is a keen observer, who is very much aware and inspired by the richness, joys, and challenges of life.

Annie shares the ability of all talented artists to convert both the joys and the challenges of life into inspirations for the canvas. When it comes to challenges, she chooses to portray those inspirations within the framework of the positive “silver linings” that she sees naturally when she looks past any particular challenge or adversity. This positive attitude in the face of challenge is clearly evident in the works and provenance she has selected to include here. Annie intuitively sets an excellent example of turning all her challenges into wonderfully positive fine art.

With regard to her technique, and no matter what the source of her inspiration is, it is her natural aptitude for balance with colours and composition that capture the viewer’s eye initially. This alone generates tremendous respect for her talent as an artist, but considering what has already been discussed on the personal side, for me, this is a case where being fortunate enough to know the artist as a person leads to an additional sense of appreciation for her work.

Annie Tasse’s visions come to life on her canvas with a unique energy, boldness, symmetry and depth, yet there is also a playful or wistful fantasy element that shows through where she is inspired, and that adds to her remarkable range of talent that is so clearly evident in her portfolio. She is not afraid to render her expressive talents on large canvases either, so many of her most striking efforts are on a grand scale.

As you look upon her works here, considering that photographs rarely do their subjects justice, I hope that you will see enough of the wonderful imagery that makes the art of Annie Tasse so appealing. Of course, the best way to see the beauty of Annie’s work is to visit her galleries at CoteCreations, in the Tremblant resort village, or at Le Balcon D’Art, in Montreal. See also: www.annietasse.com

The following paintings are complete with the artist’s comments in both French and English.

Please note, the English versions have the benefit of some additional depth as a result of direct communication between the artist and the writer.

Titre/ Title : Where are you from?

• Artiste: Annie Tassé
• Dimension: 48 x 36
• Medium: Acrylique

Provenance as follows:

En Francais:

Je mange beaucoup de fruits et j aime bien les petits fruits…En regardant d où proviennent tous ces fruits, on retrouve a  l épicerie des petits fruits même au mois de janvier au Québec…mais c est juste pour faire une anecdote sur le pays de provenance et la continuité de la collection de mes Natures Ludiques.

In English:

From our Artist’s “Natures Fun” collection. Inspired by a perfect, happy, energetic and passionate time with not only personal success for our Artist, but success she shared with her friends as painters, our Artist is using her imagination to create a collection of works in an atmosphere of personal joy and contentment. Perfect timing and all the ingredients to be at a personal high point in life.

Fruits and Berries are some of our artists favorites. Even in January, you can find a good variety in Quebec grocery stores, but when you look at the labels, you can see that they have had to travel a long way to get to us from many different places, so when they finally meet to be mixed at our table, you can imagine they might ask one another … “Where Are You From?”

Titre/ Title : L étang de mon coeur

• Artiste: Annie Tassé
• Dimension: 60 x 72
• Medium: Acrylique

Provenance as follows:

En Francais:

Tout simplement, cela représente l état de mon cœur, – l étang de mon cœur -l été passé.

Déchiré entre l amour, le travaille  et mes ambitions….mais inspiré par une vue magnifique  sur la rivière du Lac Gagnon,  en kayak avec mon chien Sunny.

In English:

Quite simply, it represents the state of our artist’s heart, – “the lake of my heart-the summer”.

Torn between love, work and her ambitions …. even though she faces complicated personal circumstances, she knows it is the right thing for her to take some quiet time at home. During this time there she is inspired by a magnificent view of the river du Lac Gagnon, while kayaking with her dog Sunny. Mother Nature presents her with an unexpected surprise, a wonderful scene of light reflected through the river with water lilies. At that moment, she can visualize the painting in her mind.

Titre/ Title : Angel’s Cake

• Artiste: Annie Tassé
• Dimension: 30 x 60
• Medium: Acrylique

Provenance as follows:

En Francais:

Un séjour, (de recherche de soi..) dans l ouest canadien, une visite chez ma sœur et mes neveux  que j adore …j ai produit ce gâteaux entouré d anges, il faut que je le précise.

In English:

The “Angel`s Cake“ A good effort for our Artist after a summer of tears. In search of hope, healing, a personal change and rejuvenation, our Artist sets out to drive her car on a Cross-Country trip to see new horizons and spend time with her sister and family who live in Alberta. Spending time with her 3 nephews that she adores, and her sister who is very supportive, our Artist is encouraged by her family to start some paintings, including this one with Angels surrounding her. She is very grateful for both the support and inspiration.

Titre/ Title : Enjoy the Flavors

• Artiste: Annie Tassé
• Dimension: 30 x 60
• Medium: Acrylique

Provenance as follows:

En Francais:

Une journée inspirée, pleine d espoir, de positif, de rayons de soleil et de bonnes choses pour l âme ! Voila!

In English:

A day inspired, full of hope, positive rays of sunshine and good things for the soul! Voila!

From the moment you open the door, you’ll be impressed by an elegant decor and hardwood floors that gleam in the afternoon sun. A spacious room framed by open-timber architecture transitions the eye from a fully equipped kitchen towards an open living and dining area. You’ll find each condo adorned with its own private balcony overlooking Lac Tremblant as well as the pretty coloured roofs of the resort village below. L’Équinoxe offers 1 to 4 bedroom units with configurations that vary accordingly, and we’ll be featuring a 2 bedroom condo in this particular review.

We found the kitchen to be well equipped with a bevy of stainless steel appliances that include everything you’d find at home. The kitchen includes an oven big enough for preparing larger home cooked meals, which is particularly useful around the holidays. Guests will find the cooking areas more than adequate to host everything from a few friends to a small dinner party with seating room for six in the dining area. There are plenty of large working surfaces in the kitchen, and there’s also a breakfast bar with seating for two.

At the heart of the room is a comfortable living area, accented by a large stone fireplace and tall windows that let in plenty of light. The fireplace is one of the most striking features in L’Équinoxe, framed by large timbers running from floor to ceiling (pictured above), adding a stylish touch of architecture and character that reminds us of more traditional ski lodges. You’ll have more than enough space to entertain your friends over a cup of coffee around the fireplace, watch a movie, or play a board game with the kids. The luxurious couches also make it a perfect spot to curl up by the fire after a long day on the slopes.

The pièce de résistance is unquestionably the master suite bedroom, which shares the opposite side of the fireplace wall with the living area. You’ll find the magnificent stone fireplace with a rather art deco presence, glass doors and thick plank mantel right at the foot of the bed, making it a very romantic and bold focal point in the room. The use of rich toned fabric brocades and berber carpet completes the ambiance of warmth, romance and style. Topping it all off, the room offers another glimpse of the magnificent view over Lac Tremblant. Altogether, it’s an absolutely spectacular setting!

The master suite also features its own delightfully spacious en-suite bath, complete with jacuzzi, double sinks and large well lit mirrors, convenient for getting dressed-up before important occasions, or a night out. A compact walk-in closet makes the master suite ideal for longer stays.

The guest suite (opposite from the master suite, on the other side of the living area in this particular unit) features twin beds in the second generously sized, warmly decorated room. The room enjoys the same view as the others, and is furnished with its own set of dresser drawers, and plenty of closet space too. This particular unit’s second room also had its own television, so the kids have a place to retire while mom & dad are entertaining friends in the living area. Immediately next to the entrance of the guest suite, you’ll find a 4 piece washroom which is shared with the living area.

The luxurious condos of L’Équinoxe range from 1 to 4 bedroom units (the one photographed here is a 2 bedroom condo) which also include:

• TV/DVD players,
• Washer/dryer,
• Private balcony with outdoor barbecue in select units,
• Additional storage space for gear,
• Underground parking below the unit (plus additional guest parking),
• Tremblant’s merchant discount booklet,
• Certificate for 1 free day of access (per registered guest during the winter) to Tremblant’s Aquaclub La Source in the Resort Village.
• Includes first tracks and evening activities.
• Outdoor hot tub, and pool during the summer.

Please note that if you require internet access, it’s important to request it when you make your reservation, as not all Équinoxe units are equipped to provide access.

In the winter, L’Équinoxe offers true ski-in & ski-out access via the P2 trail (also referred to as the blue run called Chalumeau on your Tremblant trail map). Additionally, access to the mountain is also provided with a shuttle that runs at frequently scheduled times on the weekend, or can be requested by phone during weekdays. We find the shuttle particularly convenient après-ski, in case you decide to relax in the resort village or peruse the boutiques before heading back to the condo. For those of you who enjoy walking (we should point out there are also some great hiking trails nearby in Parc National du Mont-Tremblant), the Resort Village is only about a 10-15 minute walk away.

Considering the exceptional views and exquisite amenities, we highly recommend L’Équinoxe to anyone looking for a luxurious getaway on their next trip to Tremblant! For more info, videos, maps, directions, or to make reservations at L’Équinoxe with Tremblant’s Sunstar click here!

In actuality, The Edge is a wonderful place to ski or snowboard and among other things, contains some of the best glade runs Tremblant has to offer! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, “glades” are playful runs that meander through the tree line, where the number of trees have been thinned out to allow for ample navigation. You’ll often see kids and their families having fun exploring these runs, because choosing which path to take through the trees is a bit like choosing your own adventure.

Looking at Tremblant’s trail map, The Edge can be a little intimidating to an occasional skier or snowboarder, particularly with all the black diamonds surrounding its peak. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re a seasoned expert then a run like “Tension” (double black) will present an interesting challenge.

However, “Action” (despite being labeled as a single black) is also well suited to intermediates. The black diamond designation on Action is there more or less to advise you to exercise a little more control on the top third of the run, which turns into what feels more like a blue run mid-way, and eventually green over the last third. But If you’re still not convinced after a ride up the chair, you always have the option of taking a green run called Bon Vivant directly from the top over towards another green run called Nansen on the South Side, which will take you safely back to the Resort Village (you can also read a more detailed trail review of Nansen by clicking here!).

If you’re into glades, The Edge is definitely the right place to be, but you’ll often find lots of powder stashed away between the trees too. We’d recommend Emotion to experts looking for steeper terrain,  and Sensation-Bas (pictured above) for intermediates who enjoy a more playful experience. Be sure to mix it up a bit and have fun exploring different lines!

We’ve also noticed an interesting phenomenon over the years at The Edge. When the majority of the mountain is windy, the ride up the chair lift at The Edge seems to be sheltered and calm. I’ve often found refuge from the wind there, and might suggest taking the kids over to The Edge next time you find it a bit nippy elsewhere.

Because The Edge is only accessible from a single trail just below the Lowell Thomas Chair, you’ll also enjoy relatively shorter lift lines. From Tremblant’s main summit, you can get there by taking any of the North Side runs that arrive at the bottom of the Lowell Thomas Chair, then going a little further down Beauchemin (green) until you come across a sign pointing towards The Edge (immediately to your left as you’re heading down), along a green run called Letendre.

So the next time you’re at Tremblant, venture over to The Edge and have a look for yourself. Have fun exploring… and then wow your friends afterwards with tall tales of how you escaped it clutches!

In this review, we’ll be featuring Le Plateau, which can be found quietly tucked away in the upper right hand corner of Tremblant’s Domaine De La Forêt. 

Situated in a particularly picturesque part of the mountain, guests of Le Plateau will enjoy a more cottage like atmosphere, along with contemporary modern styling. Guests will feel more like part of a quiet community, centered around a large pond perfect for skating on during the winter, as well as an outdoor pool for the summer. We were particularly impressed at how well the area was maintained. After a large snowfall during the night, staff worked during the day to clear the pond, and by the evening,  families where already out skating again with their children. The skating pond is also well lit at night. 

Le Plateau offers deluxe condos that range from studios to 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom units (the one photographed below is a 2 bedroom condo). They offer a long list of comforts, which include: 

• Large fireplaces, 
• Fully equipped kitchens, 
• TV/VCR’s, 
• Wireless internet access (high speed!), 
• Washer/dryer, 
• Private deck, 
• Parking (with power outlets for block heaters),  
• Tremblant’s Merchant discount booklet, 
• Certificate for 1 free day of access (per registered guest) to Tremblant’s Aquaclub La Source in the Resort Village. 
• Includes first tracks and evening activities. 
• Outdoor equipment locker. 

Inside, you’ll find comfortably spacious living & dining areas that are both warm and inviting. The layout is perfect for entertaining friends, and fire logs are provided if you’d like to retire in front of a warm fireplace. Of particular interest, is the heated kitchen floor that makes cooking a joy after a long day on the mountain (which also doubles as a great place to park your boots, so they’re warm and toasty when you head out in the morning!). Bedrooms are tastefully furnished and the master bedroom pictured below also had its own large en-suite bath & jacuzzi. 

Getting to and from the mountain is made easy through a variety of options, most convenient of which, is a beautiful trail that runs through the area directly down to the P2 chair lift. The trail runs under the main roadway, so it’s safe for the kids because they won’t have to cross any roads (as do many of the other accommodations at Tremblant too).

There’s also a shuttle service that runs both ways, which will pick you up within a few minutes of a phone call on weekdays, and frequently scheduled pick-up times on the weekend. During heavier snowfalls, the shuttle can’t always make it the entire way into Le Plateau unless the road has recently been plowed (which is usually well maintained), and may require a short 2-3 minute walk to your condo from the entrance of Le Plateau.

For those of you who enjoy walking (we should point out there are also some great hiking trails nearby in Parc National du Mont-Tremblant), the Resort Village is only about a 10 minute walk away if you’d like to park the car for an evening out. 

All things considered, we highly recommend Tremblant’s Le Plateau to families and couples looking for a slope-side, cozy cottage-like atmosphere! 

For more info, videos, maps, directions or to make reservations at Le Plateau, click here!