Travel Agent - January 7, 2008 - (Page 47)

LEFT: Fairmont Tremblant is located slopeside, providing guests with ski-in/ski-out access THIS PHOTO: A One-Bedroom Suite at Le Westin Resort SKI AND SNOWBOARD BUFFS have long placed Mont Tremblant (www.tremblant.ca) in Quebec’s Laurentian mountains on their shortlist of the best vacation destinations in eastern North America. Last month, I was able to visit the resort town on the first-ever nonstop commercial flight from the New York area to Mont Tremblant International Airport. Continental Airlines is now flying nonstop to Mont Tremblant daily (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays from January 8 to February 13) from Newark, with connecting service from Cleveland, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. After the short 80minute flight, it’s a 35-minute transfer to Tremblant’s base village. Our group hopped on snowmobiles right outside of the airport lodge and took them for a spin—not a bad start to the weekend. While exploring this mountain community, I was impressed not only by its excellent terrain and snow conditions (so far this season Tremblant has received the most snow it has had in decades) but also by its wide range of seasonal activities and accommodations, as well as its base village, which has charming shops, restaurants, après-ski and nightlife, all with a distinct European/French-Canadian flavor. Special events that draw large crowds include the Tremblant Film Festival in June and the Tremblant International Blues Festival in July, as well as skiing and snowboarding competitions throughout the winter. Québec Ludoplex, which will open at the same time and feature virtual gaming. Restaurants and shopping will be part of the community eventually. Le Westin Resort & Spa Our group stayed at Le Westin Resort & Spa, Tremblant (www.starwoodhotels.com/westin), which has a prime location in the base village, about 100 yards from the chairlifts. The friendly, mostly Quebecois staff seemed happy to offer their recommendations for fully experiencing their hometown. I stayed in a comfortable One-Bedroom Suite with views of Lake Tremblant, on which locals and tourists alike enjoy ice skating and kite boarding during the winter. All suites have fireplaces, and some are available with mountain views. Westin’s double-headed Heavenly Shower and layered Heavenly Bed served me well after a day on the slopes. Two TVs with Internet access, a wireless keyboard, in-room movies and video games make this type of suite suitable for families who want to keep the kids occupied. The property is also infant- and pet-friendly: You can request a Heavenly Crib or a Heavenly Dog Bed for your clients. For groups and larger families, the TwoBedroom Suites have the same amenities and views as the One Bedrooms but more space. Westin guests can check their skis and snowboards at the front desk, and from the hotel’s locker room they can exit directly to the village and the lifts. Other hotel amenities include shuttle service from the airport, dry cleaning, a small business center, a jewelry shop, a gym and the Amerispa, which offers a typical menu of massages, facials and pedicures, as well as a Spa & Stay package. I found that the sauna, outdoor heated pool and whirlpool hit the spot after an active day exploring the area. Yamada, the onsite restaurant, specializes in sushi and steak, and there is also a bar/lounge and 24-hour room service. CONTINUED ON PAGE 48 January 7, 2008 TravelAgent | 47 New Village in the Works The biggest news at Mont Tremblant is the construction of the Versant Soleil development, an additional base village that will initially include 54 Alpine-style condominium townhomes, 24 home sites and an entertainment/gaming complex. A gondola linking Versant Soleil to the resort’s main base village will begin service this summer. The ride will take less than seven minutes, and the gondola will run until 3 a.m. to accommodate revelers and people visiting Versant Soleil’s new Loto- http://www.tremblant.ca

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - January 7, 2008

Travel Agent - January 7, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: Top Hotels in the Czech Capital, Prague Europe News & Notes Pacific/Asia: India's Tourism Boom Hawaii Spas: Send Your Spa-Loving Client to these Havens of Relaxation in the Islands Hawaii Briefs Las Vegas: Restaurants are Taking Center Stage as Vegas Becomes a Destination for Foodies California: San Diego, La Jolla and Coronado Offer a World of Options Close Together Ski/Snowboard: Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada New Orleans: Hotels for All Types of Travelers and Can’t-Miss Events to Consider Central & South America: Selling Santiago, Chile Caribbean & Bahamas: The Reef Atlantis, Cape Eleuthera Debut in the Bahamas in Time for the New Year Caribbean News & Notes Cruises: Onboard Enrichment Programs Grow as Cruisers Seek to Work on More than their Tans Cruise Lines Expand the Variety in their Shore Excursions with Special Activities and Adventures Cover Story: A New Era for Classic Luxury Travel Expo & Home Based Travel Agent Expo: Photos and a Recap of the Events Rail: Company Books Private Train Trips Agent Profile: Dave and Christa Krick, Advantage Cruise & Travel in Northern California Technology: XML Enhances Sabre and Amadeus Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Onsite Reports from Queen Victoria Christening and Marriott Headquarters Funjet Vacations NCL’s New Ship, Norwegian Gem The African Country of Djibouti In the Spotlight Editorial Index Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - January 7, 2008

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