Theme parks! Imitation mountains covered with imitation snow; places to eat serving food that just might taste almost like you're eating in a quaint, foreign restaurant, picturesque little fake villages that are supposed to resemble picturesque little real villages; hotels built around man-made lakes. Sure they're fun for the whole family but why settle for "fake" or "imitation" or "almost like" when you can have the real thing!

Mont-Tremblant Resort located just eighty minutes by air (gate-to-gate) from Newark Airport to the Mont-Tremblant International Airport, is the ideal, four-season family playground with a real village, real mountains with real snow, real lakes for water sports or ice skating, real quaint restaurants, a real gondola riding over real trees. And there are no long, hot boring lines to stand in while waiting to have real fun.

Every season of the year Tremblant located just north of Montreal and nestled in the majestic Laurentian Mountains provides non-stop activities for all ages. Mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, water sports and of course golfing on world class courses or mini-courses are just some of the many ways to fill up delightfully warm summer days. There is always something happening in the European style village festivals, wine-tasting, shops that sell more than dispensable souvenirs, and entertainment.

In the fall the Laurentians put on a majestic show when the trees change to their autumn foliage. Tremblant celebrates this with its annual "Symphony of Colours". To truly enjoy this spectacle, just take the gondola up the mountain. Don't forget your camera as this is one of the most spectacular fall displays in Eastern North America.

In winter, from late November to late April (and sometimes even into May), the Laurentians become blanketed with real snow and Tremblant truly shines as a premiere ski resort. Ice climbing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse riding, sleigh rides, and so much more keep the whole family on the go all day long. In the evening, Tremblant also offers the best apres-ski and nightlife to help you unwind. There are child care services and baby sitting for the little ones. Parents can safely leave children in the care of responsible, trained supervisors who provide organized activities, light snacks and arts and crafts.

To insure your vacation in the Mount-Tremblant region will be memorable for many years to come, book reservations at the areas newest and only "Small Luxury Hotels of the World", all-suite resort hotel, Chateau Beauvallon (http://www.chateaubeauvallon.com/). Inspired by the local architecture with its quaint exterior of gables, porches, shutters and comfortable, country chick interiors, every visitor will find a haven from the fun-filled, activity rich days. And here, everything is real including the lake and the magnificent Laurentian mountain vistas!

Copyright 2005 Paul Altobelli