Image courtesy Instagram.com/Tremblant_Gourmand.

PLAY & EAT
Tremblant Gourmand

We’re suckers for a good food festival so naturally we were thrilled to find out that our trip coincided with Tremblant Gourmand.  Billed as “North America’s Biggest Festival for Active Epicureans,” the festival is more than just booths serving samples (though there are plenty of those too).  While entrance into the artisan fair is free, those carrying a festival passport ($30 for the length of the nine-day event or $23 for a one-day pass) are entitled to deluxe samples, stage-side seating at culinary displays from renowned chefs and craftspeople and special events like the daily gourmet mountain hike, which includes stops for treats like Quebec cheese. Hikers also get a free gondola trip back down the mountain. For an extra fee, passport holders can participate in such adventures as a guided wild mushroom hike or a scenic helicopter ride. Additionally, many, if not most, of the villages restaurants also offer discounts and other specials to passport holders, with some clothing stores even getting in on the action, tossing in free goodies if your purchase exceeds a certain amount.

While dates for next year’s festival have yet to be set, it’s historically taken place in September. Watch the event’s website, Tremblant Gourmand, for more details.