While Montreal and Quebec City define the urban meetings experience in Quebec, the expansive Laurentian region, scenically unfolding just north of Montreal, is among the province’s signature four-season getaways.
Taking its name from the mountainous chain running down its northern side, the region’s southern portions offer myriad cultural, culinary, heritage and outdoor pursuits in the summer and fall months, while its more rugged northern climes are a major draw for winter sports enthusiasts.
Groups have a ready base in the colorful, European-style village of Mont-Tremblant and its internationally acclaimed ski resort, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
With daily direct flights from Montreal and Newark International Airport via Porter Airlines, convention, corporate, incentive and other groups have easy access to the resort, which features a full complement of business tourism resources.
Conveniently located at the resort’s entrance, the Tremblant Convention Centre offers 10,500 square feet of conference space, including 12 meeting rooms (two executive-style with fireplaces) and an outdoor patio seating 150 attendees. Run by Intrawest, the company behind Whistler, the resort can accommodate 25,000 visitors at a range of hotels and other lodging options.
Offering a 22,000-square-foot convention center, the ski-in/ski-out Fairmont Tremblant is among the resort’s leading meetings properties. With just two floors to go, the hotel expects to wrap its $4.5 million refurbishment of all 314 guestrooms and suites this May, including new mattresses, digital climate control and rainfall showerheads in all rooms.
Also ski-in/ski-out, the Westin Resort & Spa Mont-Tremblant, with six meeting rooms, has just beautifully enhanced its 122 guest rooms, while the lakeside Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant recently added 110 leather seats to its conference room for greater delegate comfort.
Ideal for smaller groups, the 5-star boutique Hotel Quintessence, with 30 luxurious suites and culinary team building at its acclaimed La Quintessence restaurant and wine bar, celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.
With golf, swimming and mountain-biking among its many activities, Mont-Tremblant is a year-round magnet for groups, but as the perennially top-ranked ski resort in the East, it is a winter destination non pareil for groups.
The skiing and snowboarding are world-class, with private or group lessons available at the resort’s Snow School. Groups can also go ice-climbing with local operator Aventure Ecotourism Quebec, or take horse-drawn sleigh rides with some truly entertaining local guides.
Mont-Tremblant is the place to vivre chaque instant, or live every moment. At nearby Expedition Wolf, groups take the reins on dog-sledding expeditions through a winter wonderland. Similar scenic glory awaits at the 1,500-acre Domaine Saint-Bernard preserve, offering cross-country skiing through pine-forested trails.
Secreted in the woods above the Diable River not far from the resort, Le Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant offers traditional Scandinavian treatments that take guests on a repeat hot-cold cycle from the indoor eucalyptus steam bath to 55-degree Nordic pools to the relaxation room. Intrepid souls can dip in the hole cut out in the freezing river.
Back at the resort, entertainment options include taking the panoramic gondola ride to reach Casino Mont-Tremblant, while hungry delegates re-fortify at restaurants like Coco Pazzo and La Forge Bar & Grill.
