Dog-friendly Mont-Tremblant, Quebec Adventure

My dog jumps in first then me – the gondola cars are moving slowly and as it creeps around the corner the doors shut automatically. Good thing, too.

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My dog and I are in a square space shuttle-like enclosure dangling on a cable. Up the mountain at dog-friendly Mont Tremblant we go. Fortunately, my pup is in her Canada Pooch harness (affiliate link), which makes me feel more secure.

Climbing into an enclosed gondola with my dog turned out to be one of my favourite things to do in Mount Tremblant, Quebec with my dog. However, I didn’t think so at first. I had no idea how high the gondola ride at the Pedestrian Village went. Uncertainty breeds anxiety in my head.

Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, the playground of nearby Montreal, is a ski town in the winter and a mountain biking haven in the summer. A big draw in the warm weather is the active ‘pedestrian village’ – a concentration of visitor activities, and that’s where you’ll find the gondola ride that permits dogs in the summer. In the winter, it’s reserved for skiers.

So are we are enclosed in one gondola car – the windows are open between the top of the door and the roof for air circulation – there’s no way for my dog to get out, but I worry she can. The entire ride to the top of the mountain doesn’t take more than 10 minutes, but it feels much longer because I don’t know how high we’re going.

Once we got to the summit of the mountain, though, it was all worth it.

Dog-friendly Summer Gondola Ride

Primarily a ski town, Mont Tremblant is all about the mountains, and in this case, the view. At the end of the gondola ride, thanks to an 875-metre accent up Mount Tremblant, you can take in the view of Lac Tremblant below, along with the expanse of Laurentian Mountains surrounding this area.

The top of the mountain is where you want to be if you come to this area for an outdoorsy experience. There are trails to follow that will circle you back to the gondola. Or some choose to skip the ride back down and walk it – down the side of the mountain. It’s a long walk, but I saw leashed dogs and their people heading down.

However, the shorter hike to the observation deck about a 10-minute walk from the gondola site might be preferable, but it’s not shaded. Today is particularly warm. Note the only places at the top of the mountain dogs can’t go are the (air-conditioned) cafeteria and bird of prey demonstrations.

Plan to spend about 45 minutes (or more if you do the trails), then take the gondola back to civilization. The ride down was much more relaxing, once my dog and I were both seasoned gondola riders comfortable with the panoramic views. (I find my Nikon Coolpics camera a great combination of quality and portability, especially when handling the dog).

Pedestrian Village in Mont Tremblant

Anchored by resort hotels the Westin and the Fairmount (both hotels are pet-friendly for a fee), The Mont Tremblant pedestrian village is primarily stone walkways linking stores (most dog-friendly) and cafes – only two permitting pooches on patios. In the summer, it’s about the activities – you can buy passes for the enclosed gondola (the only activity that allows dogs).

Otherwise, there are about 16 other tourist adventures such as a go-cart-like lunge down part of the mountain, eurobungy jumping, laser tag, an escape room … you get the idea. None of these activities, understandably, permit dogs.

The Pedestrian Village, in the summer, is like a film-set version of a European town complete with public sculptures and fountains. Water bowls for leashed dogs are scattered among store entrances. But, if like my dog, they grow weary of shopping (despite the stop for ice cream) head to the trails.

Many trails wind through Mont Tremblant, though a parade of mountain bikes dominates the longest ones. No need to wander far, though, the trail around the pond between The Westin and the closest public parking lot beside the pedestrian village is an ideal dog walk, especially if you’ve got a spaniel like me who loves ducks. (To keep her from drinking pond water, I take a long a portable water bottle for dogs).

Dog-friendly Restaurant Patios

Like any tourist destination, there’s no shortage of eating options at Mont Tremblant’s pedestrian village. However, few of the patios permit dogs, thanks to local laws and regulations. However, two restaurants get around the rules by offering kind of an off-the-patio, patio – specifically for people with pups: La Maison du la Crepe and SoCal Kitchen.

I recommend the La Maison du la Crepe because the special table for diners with dogs in the garden beside the patio feels like a VIP table surrounded by the energy of the village. Also, the Crepes are fresh and perfect for a warm summer day – both entre and dessert crepes are on the menu. SoCal Kitchen offers nachos, oysters, and prime ribs.

Mont-Tremblant Dog Park

The relatively new Mont-Tremblant dog park is centrally located – near the Mont-Tremblant Centre ville – on rue Vaillancourt. Side note: if the Pedestrian Village is too touristy for you, Centre-ville is similar to a small-town street lined with shops and patios, that vary in their dog-friendly status. However, there’s one independent pet store on the main block, and another larger Chico’s Pet Store a few blocks away.

But it was at the leash-free dog park where my dog ran off some energy each morning in Mont-Tremblant. It’s small but well-designed with sensible rules posted outside the gate. Here are the features:

• Two fenced spaces – one for large and one for small dogs. We had the small side to ourselves both mornings.
• Trails and a creek are adjacent to the park. I spotted a deer in the creek on day one.
• Climbing rocks for dogs – more sniffing and less running laps
• Bag dispenser, garbage cans, benches, but no water source
• Parking spaces are across the street
• Ground cover is loose tiny gravel – so don’t wear sandals.

Dog-friendly Mont-Tremblant Accommodations

Domaine Summum Dog Resort

A lot of people bring their dogs to Mount Tremblant. So many, one of the first dog-friendly resorts (rental cabins) in North America is located in Mont Tremblant called Domaine Summum. Check out our experience at Domaine Summum here – my dog had a blast. All cabins permit up to two dogs at no extra charge (any size), and there are no leash rules on the property. Worth checking out!

Mont Tremblant Resort and Area

If you want to be in the heart of the touristy pedestrian village of Mont Tremblant Resort – both the Fairmount Hotel and The Westin Hotel are pet-friendly for a fee.

However, if you want your own space, there are many privately owned condos of all kinds available for rent, especially during the summer months if owners prefer skiing. Many condo rentals are near, but not in, the pedestrian village. Many permit pets. Check out options on Expedia:

Heart of Laurentian Forest

Scattered throughout the perimeter of Mont Tremblant, in a lakeside cottage-country environment, are inns, private cottages, and bed and breakfasts. The latter was my choice, and I was surprised to find out that Bed and Breakfast La Dames du Lac (Lady of the Lake) permits dogs.

Encased in trees, along a gravel road lined with cottages, the two-story elegant La Dames du Lac blends inn comforts with bed and breakfast hospitality. Each room is different and has a full bathroom. All have hardwood floors. Across the street is access to a dock, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards.

Guests are welcome to use the common areas, outdoor firepit, and surround deck including my dog. Breakfast such as avocado toast with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit jump-starts the day – whether that day is a shopping stroll or deep woods hike.

My favourite moment of our adventure (next to the gondola ride) was quietly sitting on the balcony of La Dames du Lac with my dog and watching the rain fall on the garden below and the lake in our sightlines. I found La Dames du Lac on Expedia:

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!