French Connection

Earning kudos for lodging nearly

every year in SKI’s resort survey is hard work. But Tremblant takes the accolades seriously, continuing to shape and refine a village that melds old-world ambience with the best of new-world amenities-from spot-on service to kid-oriented extras. Tremblant won’t disappoint, if you know where to look.

Luxe/Slopeside >Le Westin Tremblant Resort & Spa

Sophisticates who want to be steps away from morning coffee at Au Grain de Café or a dinner of steak grilled over maplewood at La Forge will appreciate Le Westin’s central location. This ski-in/ski-out property delivers all the perks of a full-service hotel (room service, concierge, valet) plus a choice of one- or two-bedroom condos with kitchens-all of which peer out over the slopes or Lac Tremblant. Not that views matter too much inside Le Westin’s new Amerispa, where you’ll focus instead on such north-of-the-border treatments as maple-sugar exfoliation. $150-$960 per night; 819-681-8000; westin.com/tremblant

B&B >Le Pimbina

Tremblant’s bed-and-breakfasts (called gites) are simple, yet charming, and offer a more authentic glimpse into Quebecois culture. You will, however, need a car to get to the slopes-most B&Bs are a five- to 10-minute drive away. At Le Pimbina, a five-room log lodge, you can curl up après-ski in front of the stone fireplace or collapse in a comfy queen-size bed. Room 2 is so especially seductive, with its antiques, white oak floors and queen-size bed, but eventually the scent of fresh pastries from the dining room will lure you out. $55-$70; 819-681-0746; mt-tremblant.com/pimbina

Family >Club Tremblant

This lakefront resort four minutes from the base has something crucial for the family: space. Centered around a lodge that began life as a hunting camp, the hotel comprises 122 one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, patios, TVs and fireplaces. The ski packages for kids are great: Five-day deals includes four hours of instruction per day at the hotel’s own ski school, lift tickets, lunch and video taping. Later, while Generation Z zigs to kid’s camp for movie night or Go-Karts, parents can zag over to the spa for a massage. Is that enough space for you? Five-day packages, including meals, $1,095-$1,895 per couple, $100-$575 per child; 800-567-8341; clubtremblant.com

Romance >Hotel Quintessence Upping Tremblant’s elegance quotient, Hotel Quintessence debuted last season with looks that impress-from the limestone lobby to the local artwork throughout. Measuring at least 700 square feet each, the 30 rooms feel like private retreats, and all boast lake views. Extras include heated bathroom tiles, clawfoot tubs and a “wood concierge,” who stokes a blaze in your room’s fireplace each night. The private Sans Sabots Spa and gourmet Restaurant Q add their very own brand of aphrodisiac (yes, oysters are on the menu). $285-$1,127 per night; 866-425-3400; hotelquintessence.com

Also Consider

Luxe Le Grand Lodge, three miles to the slopes. Rates: $95-$470 per room. 800-567-6763; legrandelodge.com

Luxe/Slopeside Fairmont Mont Tremblant, ski-in/ski-out. Rates: $242-$775 per room. 800-441-1414; fairmont.com

Family La Tour des Voyageurs, in the village. Rates: $109-$198 per condo unit. 888-857-8043; tremblant.ca

Romance La Petite Cachée, one mile to Tremblant. Rates: $65-$95 per room. 866-425-2654; petitecachee.com

CAPTION BELOW

Hotel, La Belle Clockwise from top left: Le Westin Tremblant; Le Pimbina’s enormous fireplace; Hotel Quintessence, the village’s newest; Club Tremblant, a bright light on the family lodging scene.