A Tale of Two Mountains
Two East Coast mountains to put on your radar. By Andrea Traynor, Atomic Ambassador & Founder of Mommy Gearest
As ski legends go, it’s said that if you can ski in the east, you can ski anywhere. Perhaps that’s because we get more than our fair share of icy conditions thanks to temps that can plummet well into the minus-30s–in both Celsius and Fahrenheit–or because we often need to rely on snow-making, which is never as good as the real stuff. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of jet-setting to Japan or California to chase big powder, road-tripping to east coast ski resorts in Canada and the United States is where it’s at. There are two in the northeast that should be on your ski bucket list: Tremblant in Quebec and Sugarbush in Vermont, and I’m about to tell you exactly where to stay, eat and play at both.
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
Tremblant. Located in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec – which is only an hour-and-a-half from nearby Montreal or a six-hour road trip from either Toronto or New York City – this east coast ski resort is a student and family favorite. Its pedestrian-only village is the heart of the resort and boasts a dozen or so traditional and condo-style hotels plus more than 25 eateries that cater to a range of budgets. It’s a winter wonderland brought to life! Be sure to explore more than just the mountain when you visit a ski resort; activities like snowmobiling are a great way to take in some new scenery and create memories with friends or family.
Trail mix: 21% beginner, 32% intermediate and 46% advanced runs.
Where to stay: The Tremblant Westin hotel, which is uniquely located in both the lower and upper villages depending on the doors you exit.
My family’s favorite run: Nansen, a winding six-kilometers trail – the resort’s longest. This cruisy green run allows even newbies to ski from the 2,871 foot summit (even though they may need a few breaks along the way), while experts can duck behind a wooden fence to find untouched powder or detour into the TAM-TAM section of the trail to dip into the trees.
Where to caffeinate: Au Grain de Café.
Best spot for lunch: Le Refuge du Trappeur, a mid-mountain log cabin accessible only to those who can ski there via the (blue) Toboggan or (black) Tigidou runs. Keep in mind it has no running water so your only option for a lunch-time potty break here is an outhouse.
Must-try dinner restaurants: La Savoie (have the traditional French raclette), Central Tapas (don’t miss the razor clam dish or Choco Tarta Santiago dessert) and Lucille’s heated patio (hello, melt-in-your-mouth ribs) – because it’s impossible to pick just one.
Where to aprės-ski: La Terrasse at the Fairmont, in all its Veuve Clicquot-branded glory. It’s bougie, there’s a live DJ and even a private dome for those splurging on bottle service – but there are also first-come-first-served fire pits, cozy blankets on every seat and boozy hot chocolate for $16 if you don’t have $45 handy for a single glass of champers.
Can’t-miss non-ski activity: Snowmobiling through some of Quebec’s incredible 33,000-kilometer trail network.
Atomic gear built for Tremblant: The FOUR Pro Signature goggles, which come in a hardshell case and feature photochromic lenses designed to adjust to variable conditions that offer best-in-class contrast so you can prepare for every turn.
For more recommendations about Tremblant accommodations, a complete restaurant guide and more activities to enjoy all winter long when you’re not on the slopes, check out my Things to do Mt Tremblant post.
Sugarbush, Vermont
Vermont plays host to a number of fantastic east coast ski resorts, but one of the best has to be Sugarbush in the Mad River Valley. Best suited to confident intermediate and advanced skiers, everything here has an upscale ski vibe. If you stay onsite, you’ll not only get the best lift ticket prices available anywhere for this resort, you’ll also be within an easy walk (or free resort shuttle ride) to 15 places to wet your whistle or get some nosh, as well as the SHaRC – the Sugarbush Health & Rec Center. It offers pools and hot tubs, a steam room and saunas, a gym with fitness classes, pickleball courts, a kids’ Adventure Zone, and more.
Trail mix: 23% beginner, 42% intermediate and 34% advanced runs.
Where to stay: Clay Brook Hotel & Residences – with up to five (yes, five!) bedrooms, these well-appointed slopeside suites have a distinct New England design, an onsite heated outdoor pool and a couple of hot tubs. Your rental also comes with complimentary valet service for both your vehicle and your skis.
My family’s favorite run: Jester. Generally tougher for beginners, Sugarbush does have this lovely blue run from its 3,975-foot Lincoln Peak summit; divided into Jester and Lower Jester, it’s a fun, groomer-wide trail that’s gentle enough for those testing their ski legs on the blues for the first time.
Where to caffeinate: Nomad Coffee.
Best spot for lunch: The Wünderbar (or Walt’s at The Glen House if you’re skiing over at Mount Ellen).
Must-try dinner restaurant: Rumble’s Bistro & Bar – start with the firecracker calamari and the Korean brussel sprouts, even if you don’t normally like brussel sprouts, then dig into the smash burger or sesame-crusted bluefin tuna.
Where to aprės-ski: Castelrock Pub, but get there early or put your name on the waitlist as soon as you come off the mountain if you plan to head for a shower or a hot tub soak first, because this place gets packed! Live music, great food and loads of local beers await.
Can’t-miss non-ski activity: The new SIM Suites – sports simulators in a private theater-like setting on the lower level of the SHaRC where you can take an indoor golf lesson with a PGA Pro or just goof around with friends in this immersive, addictive gaming space. Play more than a dozen virtual sports, try clay shooting and even attack zombies in a gory game of dodgeball.
Atomic gear built for Sugarbush: the MAVEN 93C or MAVERICK 105 CTI all-mountain skis, perfect for carving First Tracks corduroy or slicing through freshly fallen snow.
