Susanne Day 2 (July 2, 2011) of my trip to Mont Tremblant was absolutely packed with action. After a delicious buffet breakfast at the Fairmont Tremblant I embarked on my first adventure of the day: a helicopter ride over the Laurentian Mountains with Heli-Tremblant. My pilot, Patrick Pory, who formerly worked for the French air force, whisked me up in his nimble green machine over the gorgeous mountains and lakes of the Mont Tremblant region.
Patrick took me through the safety procedures and patiently explained his green flying machine to me. The helicopter is surprisingly nimble, and within seconds we were up in the air, enjoying a view of the green mountains and the blue lakes of the Lake Tremblant region. We also got a good look from above at the colourful buildings of the pedestrian village at Mont Tremblant.
Then, my local expert Catherine Lacasse, took me on a tour of local towns and villages including St. Jovite and the old village of Mont Tremblant. We stopped at the Place de la Gare, the old train station of the town that has been re-functioned into a gallery that is run by three permanent artists. Outside three additional artists had been invited to display their art and I had a chance to interview all the creative talents.
Steps away we explored the Saturday morning farmer’s market where got to chat with local merchants and producers of all sorts of products, from various cheeses, honeys and apple cider products, to pastries, cupcakes, forest mushrooms and smoked spices. An accordion player was entertaining the crowd with his melodies. Locals and tourists alike were having a wonderful time at this colourful market. Steps away across the street, we also took in the beautiful view over Lac Mercier from the municipal beach.
For lunch we headed to La Creperie Catherine at Station Mont Tremblant where sisters Catherine and Lorraine serve up scrumptious savoury and sweet crepes in their affordable family restaurant. Catherine is a real character: a former merchant marine and creative painter, Catherine loves to interact with the guests in between her busy work on the stove. Inside her restaurant we admired her paintings and a collection of chef figurines from all over the world.
