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Quebec (Tremblant) President's Day? Normal weekend crowd or holiday crowd?

abc

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Never been to Tremblant. It's on the MAX pass. This year only.

So I'm tempted to head up. But it's just far enough I can only do it on a long weekend. President's day is coming up in 2 weeks (2/18 )

Rest of Canada, it's a public holiday (Family Day). But it looks like Quebec doesn't partake? Is that so?

Still, is there school holiday or anything of that sort? Basically, trying to get a sense of whether it will be super-crowded or not.

Also, do they get an invasion of us Yank's? Or is it just the regular weekend crowd of locals?
 
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Warp Daddy

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School break is in March for Quebec , not sure when Ontario school break is but avoid those periods . The place is always a magnet for many Yanks , hey its a worldclass venue. Go , enjoy the experience ski the whole mtn. Start on the NORD follow the sunthru the day to the Soleil and Sud sides . I prefer the Nord (perhaps a bit more hardcore ) and usually stay on that side but play on the south side ( village ) at nite . The SUD can bea bit chi chi , fru fru , lots o "party skiers "

its a great experience enjoy !
 

elks

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Never been to Tremblant. It's on the MAX pass. This year only.

So I'm tempted to head up. But it's just far enough I can only do it on a long weekend. President's day is coming up in 2 weeks (2/18)

Rest of Canada, it's a public holiday (Family Day). But it looks like Quebec doesn't partake? Is that so?

Still, is there school holiday or anything of that sort? Basically, trying to get a sense of whether it will be super-crowded or not.

Also, do they get an invasion of us Yank's? Or is it just the regular weekend crowd of locals?

I've only been to Mt. Tremblant once (7-8 years ago) and I believe it was over President's Day weekend. I know it was in February. And I can tell you one thing: never again! It was a complete zoo with long lines and ridiculously crowded slopes. It almost made me long for a busy Saturday at Wachusett.

Is it a holiday in Ontario? If so, I would think you'll get the crowds from Ottawa. It's about the same distance from Ottawa than it is from Montreal and they cater to both those markets.
 

Jully

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I Was there over MLK day this year and crowds were not bad. Given it was frigid, but crowds were probably better there than at any of the major US players. The gondola and base to summit HSQ on the north side had bad lines, everything else wasn't as bad.

That said if there's a holiday in Ontario, then I'm sure there will be more crowds than I experienced.
 

fbrissette

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It's definitely not a Quebec holiday nor a Quebec spring break week. I was a long time Tremblant skier. Tremblant is always extremely busy on Saturday.

However, if you ski smart, you can get lots of runs before it gets mad.

Get first chair !!!! Even better, get the first tracks option on Saturday https://www.tremblant.ca/things-to-do/activities/first-tracks

If you get first chair, do 1 quick run on South side than head to the North side. Stick to North side till it gets busy (10-10h30), than head for a few runs on the Edge summit. By then it's 11h15, you should have at least 10k vertical feet in your legs, and it's time head for early lunch on top, before every one. After that, all best are off, just check lift lines (there is a billboard with wait lines at the summit) and plan accordingly. The village (base of south side) is the place to avoid normally.

Just go, well worth it.
 

abc

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Thanks for the great tip!

Debating between Tremblant vs Sugarloaf. Will wait for weather outlook before final decision.
 

ThinkSnow

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I work p/t for a ski & snowboard group tours operator, which brings groups from all over the East Coast up to Tremblant. Just checked out our website, and Presidents weekend for Tremblant is sold out. Expect crowds.
 

Killingtime

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Was there two years ago on Presidents Day weekend. Really nice mountain and worth checking out. Crowds not bad at all. Then again it was -20 something Fahrenheit for most of the weekend. But seriously, once you get out of the base area its not bad and there is no reason to go back down except for a lunch break.
 

KustyTheKlown

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I've been to tremblant twice.

the first time was a Saturday in march. it was lovely. not too crowded at all. great snow.

the second time was last season between Christmas and New Years, and my god, I don't know if I've ever seen such crowding at a ski area

the third time will be exactly when you are going. three couples, two of the girls don't ski, and we decided that this is a nice destination for people who won't ski, and we hope it will be less crowded than skiing in new england over presidents day. we'll have fun no matter what, but i am anticipating intense crowding on sat and sun. we ski friday too tho. finding lodging was an incredible challenge, so that has to indicate that it will be quite crowded.
 

KustyTheKlown

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It's definitely not a Quebec holiday nor a Quebec spring break week. I was a long time Tremblant skier. Tremblant is always extremely busy on Saturday.

However, if you ski smart, you can get lots of runs before it gets mad.

Get first chair !!!! Even better, get the first tracks option on Saturday https://www.tremblant.ca/things-to-do/activities/first-tracks

If you get first chair, do 1 quick run on South side than head to the North side. Stick to North side till it gets busy (10-10h30), than head for a few runs on the Edge summit. By then it's 11h15, you should have at least 10k vertical feet in your legs, and it's time head for early lunch on top, before every one. After that, all best are off, just check lift lines (there is a billboard with wait lines at the summit) and plan accordingly. The village (base of south side) is the place to avoid normally.

Just go, well worth it.

definitely going to do that the Saturday i am there. thank you.
 

VTKilarney

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the third time will be exactly when you are going. three couples, two of the girls don't ski, and we decided that this is a nice destination for people who won't ski

Are you staying in the village at the base of the mountain? For non-skiers, that makes a HUGE difference.
 

KustyTheKlown

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Are you staying in the village at the base of the mountain? For non-skiers, that makes a HUGE difference.

unfortunately not. way way too expensive. we have a very nice looking hotel/auberge with only 8 rooms, outdoor hottub, wooden sauna, about 10 miles away, for two of the couples. one of the couples joined the plans late and was only able to book the mountain village, but it was pricey. the two non skiing women will wake early enough to drive me and buddy to the slopes, then will have the car to do as they please. they are considering snowshoeing, dog sledding, casino gambling, spa services, and copious alcohol. my only concern is that my girl had hip surgery about one month ago and she is still not totally recovered. she wants to dog sled but i dunno if she will be physically ready. she's excited that she gets to come with us and that there will be things to keep her entertained. then we all go to montreal sunday night for a night on the town.
 

KustyTheKlown

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^scandinave is dope. a bunch of outdoor hot-tubs and cold plunges, indoor chill out spaces, massages and spa services for extra $. it's all very luxe, and they have shush-police enforcing a silence is golden policy. it's a bit steep at $60 cad per person, but definitely a nice thing to bring the lady to.
 

mikec142

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I've been to Tremblant four times in the past four seasons. Always a blast. A couple of thoughts:

1. The TGV lift will let you ski the top half of the South side without going to the bottom and dealing with the gondola line.

2. There is a micro-brewery in the village (I think it's called El Diable) that has pretty decent beer. Otherwise, I'm shocked at how bad the beer selection is in the village.

3. Try some of the French bistros in the town of Tremblant (not the village). We have always found the food to be better than the village restaurants and SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper.

4. I'm sure you're used to some seriously cold temps, but Tremblant can really shock you, especially as the wind whips across the peak. Dress appropriately.
 

tnt1234

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Yep on the beer. You are allowed to bring a case of US beer with you - double check the customs website - and I would definitely do that. The beer is shockingly bad. The brew pub is passable, but just barely so.
 

tnt1234

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That's a really fun mountain BTW. The glades off the Edge lift are solid - especially Sensation. Ski that a bit, then ski Emotion to leave that pod.

There's also a cool glade off of the Ryan Trail - Bauleux or something....really cool. takes you over to the Soliel side.

Ryan trail is great, as is CBC, Dynamite, Rapids, Tunnel....

The front side steeps were closed both times I was there. But they look great. And a local told me there are great glades off those as well.

Have fun. Neat place.
 

KustyTheKlown

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I am also a huge fan of that little shack in the middle of the woods on soleil where you can get a soup and sandwich. it feels so euro.
 
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