Mont-Tremblant winter gondola day trip review

What you’ll do on this day trip

The Mont-Tremblant winter gondola day trip leaves Montréal in the morning — typically around 7:00–8:00 — and arrives at the resort approximately two hours later, traffic depending. The drive north through the Laurentides takes you through a landscape that transforms from suburban Montréal into dense boreal forest within 30 minutes. In January and February, this stretch of highway is frequently snow-covered, adding to the anticipation.

The tour’s centrepiece is the gondola ride to the summit of Mont-Tremblant — at 875 metres, the highest peak in the Laurentides. The panoramic gondola carries you from the pedestrian village at the mountain base to the summit in approximately eight minutes. On a clear winter day, the 360-degree view takes in wave after wave of snow-covered Laurentian hills extending to the horizon. The Saint-Donat reservoir is visible to the east; the village of Tremblant sits below in perfect miniature.

The summit observation deck is exposed and cold — expect -15 to -25°C with wind chill in January. The view is worth the cold for ten to fifteen minutes; after that, most people descend and explore the colourful Provençal-style pedestrian village below, which is one of the most photographed winter village scenes in Québec. The buildings are genuinely picturesque, the restaurants and cafés are warm, and the atmosphere on a busy winter weekend is festive.

The day at Tremblant is largely unstructured after the gondola. The guide is available for orientation and recommendations, but you are free to explore independently — ice skating on the village rink, a vin chaud at a terrace café, browsing the boutiques, or watching skiers arrive at the base lifts.

Return to Montréal is typically in the late afternoon, arriving by 18:00–19:00.

What it costs

The day trip is priced at approximately $110 CAD per person, including return transport from Montréal and the gondola ride. Taxes add ~15%.

What is not included: meals, ski lift pass ($80–120 CAD), equipment rental ($50–70 CAD), ice skate rental, or any in-village purchases. Budget an additional $30–50 CAD for lunch and drinks at the resort, where prices reflect the premium mountain-resort setting.

The tour departs from central Montréal (departure point confirmed at booking — typically near a major Metro station).

Why we recommend it (honestly)

The gondola day trip is the best way to experience Mont-Tremblant in winter without owning a car. Driving from Montréal is straightforward in good conditions, but winter highway driving in the Laurentides requires experience with black ice and snow chains — the guided day trip removes this concern entirely for international visitors.

Pros: all logistics handled, including transport on winter roads. The gondola gives non-skiers a genuine mountain experience. The pedestrian village is genuinely attractive and provides several hours of exploration. The tour is well-suited to first-time winter visitors to Québec who want to see the Laurentides without committing to a full ski trip.

Cons: the day trip structure means limited flexibility. You arrive and depart on the group schedule. If you want to ski all day or spend a longer time at the summit, a self-drive trip with overnight accommodation allows much more freedom. The $110 base price also rises quickly once you add lunch and activities, making the total cost closer to $160–180 per person.

Honest comparison with driving yourself: Montréal to Tremblant is 130 km. In summer, this is simple. In winter, it is manageable but requires experience with Canadian winter driving conditions. If you have a rental car with winter tires and are comfortable with snowy highways, the self-drive is cheaper and more flexible. The tour is primarily for travellers without a car or those who prefer to leave the winter driving to someone else.

How it compares to other Tremblant winter activities

The snow tubing ($50 CAD, 2–3 hours) is a fun, self-contained activity using the resort’s dedicated tubing park with a mechanical lift. Best for families with children or groups who want a purely fun winter activity rather than the scenic gondola experience.

The Sentier des Cimes treetop observatory ($40 CAD, 2 hours) is a canopy walk above the forest on a purpose-built elevated trail. It is spectacular in summer and striking in winter — but the winter version is more exposed and physically demanding. Best suited to active travellers who want a hiking-style experience in snow.

If your primary goal is the Tremblant village atmosphere, the gondola day trip is the right choice. If you want physical winter activity, the snow tubing or a dog sledding tour in the Laurentides are stronger options.

Practical tips

Dress for the summit: the summit of Mont-Tremblant in January can be brutally cold with wind chill. Dress in ski resort-appropriate gear: waterproof outer layer, insulating mid-layer, merino base, waterproof boots, gloves rated to -20°C, and a hat. Sunglasses or goggles are useful at altitude.

Book ahead in February: the Tremblant pedestrian village is at peak capacity during the Mont-Tremblant International Blues Festival and various winter weekends. The gondola queue can be long without pre-booked access — the tour includes guaranteed gondola access.

Village prices: lunch at a Tremblant terrace café runs $25–40 CAD for a main. The raclette and poutine spots are the best value. Avoid the sit-down restaurants at peak weekend lunch — the wait times are significant.

Combine with dogsledding: the Laurentides in winter offers some of the best dogsledding in eastern Canada. See our Mont-Tremblant dogsledding review for the full comparison of the available tours.

For a multi-day Laurentides winter trip, the 7-day winter Québec itinerary includes Tremblant alongside the Hôtel de Glace and Carnaval de Québec.

What to do nearby

The Mont-Tremblant pedestrian village is the focus of most visitors’ time. The Cabriolet — a smaller gondola running between the base and the village — operates continuously and is free. The ice skating rink at the base of the slopes is one of the most photographed winter scenes in Québec.

For a longer visit to the Laurentides region, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts (30 minutes south) offers a less tourist-priced alternative base with good restaurants and access to cross-country skiing. See our Laurentides destination guide.

Dogsledding is available within 30–45 minutes of Tremblant. The dogsledding valley adventure departs from the Tremblant area and can be combined with the gondola day trip if you have transport between sites.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the gondola day trip? Return transport from Montréal and the gondola ride to the summit. Activities, meals, and any sports equipment are separate.

Is this for non-skiers? Yes, explicitly. The tour is designed for visitors who want the winter mountain experience without skiing. Skiers can add a lift pass and rental independently on the day.

How long is the drive from Montréal? 1h30 to 2 hours in normal winter conditions. The Autoroute des Laurentides (Highway 15 north) is well-maintained, but delays occur during peak winter weekends.

When does the gondola operate in winter? Late November through mid-April for the summit gondola. The exact seasonal schedule varies by year; the tour operator confirms current operation at booking.

Can I upgrade to ski on the day trip? You can purchase a lift pass and rental equipment directly at the resort on the day. Budget $130–190 CAD additional for a full ski day including equipment.

What is the cancellation policy? Typically free cancellation 24 hours in advance. Check current terms at booking.

Book this tour

Alternative tours

For a winter activity focused on pure fun rather than scenery, the snow tubing park with mechanical lift is the better option for families and groups:

For a treetop walkway experience above the Laurentian forest:

For the best dogsledding experience in the Laurentides region, read our Mont-Tremblant dogsledding review.