MONT-TREMBLANT, QC - With the snow still swirling outside my window and the town nestled in a valley below, it’s like I’m looking into one of those snow globes from my youth.

Magical is the only word that can describe what I’m seeing from the living room of my luxury condo rental, which I’ve secured from Tremblant Living, a unique vacation real estate firm that specializes in renting a selection of luxury villas, condos and chalets, most of which offer a bird’s eye view of the fabulous ski hills and trails that lure so many visitors to this enchanting town with the Québécois charm.

The best way to enjoy Mont-Tremblant is with your family and Trembant Living caters to just such a clientele - and the bigger the family the better since some of Tremblant Living’s properties can host up to 20 people.

Tremblant Living’s inventory comes in all shapes and sizes, from the super-sized 10,400 square foot Tremblant Manor to the spacious but cozy Altitude Condos which offer breathtaking views of the village, Tremblant Lake and the lovely Laurentian Mountains.

 
Left: The Foret Blanche Chalet is a modern masterpiece in a wilderness setting. Right: Tremblant Manor is the largest home in the Tremblant Living inventory and perfect for big families or large groups.

Just outside the four bedroom Panache townhouse I’m staying in, I see skiers slushing along Mont-Tremblant’s famous Nansen Trail and the kids and their parents seem to be enjoying every minute of their time together. Many of Tremblant Living’s properties are ski-in, ski-out facilities and that makes them even more attractive to families who dread walking around town with heavy equipment slung over their shoulders.

Tremblant is the perfect place to spend a Spring Break and the snow and warmer weather conditions at that time of year are almost perfect.

With all the demands placed on families in today’s fast-paced world, the residences at Tremblant Living help parents and kids to slow down and get to know each other - having meals together without being interrupted by school work, sports activities or text messages from the office is what families seem to enjoy most about staying here.

My Panache townhouse, which is dominated by a two-storey-high wood burning stone fireplace, features four bedrooms and can sleep up to 12 people. The three-storey modern-designed beauty is accented with lots of warm wood and stone and the billiard room on the lower floor is the most popular room in the house.

The townhouse’s four bedrooms and four bathrooms come stuffed with tasteful furnishings and upscale toiletries but the main focus of the home is the living and dining room areas, where families gather at the end of each playful day to trade stories and share laughs. The fully-equipped Master Chef-worthy kitchen looks out on the dining area, which just happens to drift onto a spacious terrace where a four-seasons barbecue and jaw dropping wilderness views can be enjoyed.

Right: Tremblant Living properties make you want to kick off your shoes and stay awhile.

In front of a roaring fireplace, with parents and kids huddled together on some overstuffed furniture, days usually come to an end with families watching movies on the state of the art entertainment system supplied in each unit.

For those who can’t be disconnected from the outside world, each of Tremblant Living’s properties are Wi-Fi friendly.

But the thing that really separates Tremblant Living from other vacation rental properties in the area is the level of service the company supplies. Tremblant Living’s service staff reminds me of those I’ve encountered in the 5-star hotels I’ve stayed at in Hong Kong, New York and Paris.

Even before you arrive, the company’s bilingual Concierge staff makes sure your unit is filled with what your family likes - favourite snacks, food and beverages will be waiting for you and they’ll even purchase lift tickets so you can get on the ski slopes faster.

Most of the properties in the Tremblant Living fold are located in exclusive areas of Mont-Tremblant, places where Hollywood actors like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zita-Jones and NHL stars own vacation homes. So going into the village each night to enjoy the restaurants, shops and Après Ski entertainment or to enjoy activities like tubing and skating is never a chore. Restaurants abound in the village - there’s over 30 - and they cater to every taste imaginable. They’re a good option for parents who want to take a night off from cooking at their Tremblant Living property.

However, according to Joan Bou, the president of Tremblant Living, families really enjoy having a private chef come to their property to cook dinner.

Above: Vaulted ceilings, warm wood and modern amenities are what awiats Tremblant Living guests.

“The private chef is one of our most popular options and the cost is similar to taking the family out to one of the local restaurants,” said Bou, a Spaniard who arrived in Canada eight years ago on a sabbatical and never left.

Another popular option Tremblant Living offers guests is arranging for ski rental equipment to be delivered to properties before a guest’s arrival.

“Renting equipment for the entire family takes a lot of time and our guests want to get out on the slopes as soon as they arrive. So for just a small charge we arrange for the equipment to be delivered and when the guests leave we take it back to the rental company for them.”

Just another example of the high level of service one can expect from Tremblant Living.

“It’s easy to promise high end service to clients but it’s hard to deliver and that is why we put such an emphasis on service,” says Bou.

The properties in the Tremblant Living inventory are owned by individuals who rely on Bou’s company to find occupants when they are not there. By all accounts, Tremblant Living is exceeding the owners’ expectations.

“The properties are filled most of the time - April is our only slow period now,” says Bou, who works with owners to bring their properties up to the high standards demanded by Tremblant Living and the clients they serve.

Bou says 50 per cent of Tremblant Living’s business comes from family stays but corporate interest is on the rise.

“Our bigger properties are perfect for corporate meetings, functions and team building,” says Bou. There’s no better example of that than Tremblant Manor, the company’s largest facility which features eight bedrooms, two spacious living rooms, seven bathrooms, an indoor pool and a hot tub. Tremblant Manor is located across from the Fairmont Mont-Tremblant and is just 200 metres away from the centre of Tremblant village.

Left: Waking up in a Tremblant Living property is the perfect start to an active day in Mont Tremblant.

If the Manor is too much house for you, maybe the five-bedroom Grande Forêt Villa, nestled on five acres of private wooded terrain and featuring a state of the art kitchen, billiard room and much more is the right fit.

The Forêt Blanche Chalet, with its cathedral ceilings and panoramic windows is another popular choice with families - its state of the art kitchen, five bedrooms and two wood burning fireplaces is a place where families can unwind after a hectic week in the city.

The Austrian inspired Alpine Meadows Chalet, with its games room, private sauna and hot tub and outdoor pool (for summer use only) is a vacation property that makes guests feel right at home.

Bou says the average stay is about three days but many families book an entire week during peak seasons - winter and summer months are the most popular.

The cost of a night’s stay reflects the exclusivity and uniqueness of the Tremblant Living inventory - stays average around $1,000 per night with a two-night minimum, but the costs are usually split between two families.

“The kids have lots of room to run around and play in our properties but they also offer parents the ambience in which to entertain friends or just relax,” says Bou.

Tremblant Living is living at its best!