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Factoring in its slope-side location, elevated mountain cuisine and superior accommodations and facilities, Fairmont Tremblant is one of the finest resort hotels in Quebec and certainly one of the top winter lodges.

Its recent investment of nearly $10 million shows that it plans to stay the queen of hospitality at eastern North America’s largest year-round resort. New this season at the Fairmont are the reimagined chalet-chic Gold Floor and a sweeping architectural update to the outdoor thermal pool system.

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“The stylish Fairmont Gold Floor is designed to pamper Tremblant’s top-tier level of travelers,” said Anne-Marie Johns, Fairmont Tremblant’s general manager.

“As well, the Fairmont’s pools and terrace have been rebuilt. Our water features always have been an après-ski treasure for both children and adults.”

The lifts are set to roll Nov. 23, and Tremblant’s first FIS World Cup in 40 years will be the centrepiece of a weekend of festivities, Dec 2-3.

If you jump in before Nov. 29, you can buy lift tickets for between two and seven days at a discounted price of $95 for adults (with special prices for juniors and seniors). Watch also for several lodging deals, such as Ski Flex and Fairmont Moments.

Fairmont Gold: Like a boutique hotel-within-a-hotel, the Gold Floor has a private check-in and concierge and a VIP lounge for breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening canapés. Plus, there is an honour bar.

The refurbished rooms and suites sport a contemporary country look inspired by forest colours of birchbark, stone and earth, burnished with bronze and warmed with pale wood.

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Fairmont’s food and beverage pageant includes: French gastronomy at Choux Gras Brasserie Culinaire; cocktails at Axe Lounge Bar (which has $10 drink specials on some nights); champagne-and-shooters at La Terrasse Après-Ski; and bountiful breakfasts at Le Comptoir Cuisine du Marché, which transitions to family-friendly pizza and pasta in the evening.

Classic resort goodies include free access for All Accor members to PressReader (a digital library of a world of newspapers and magazines), valet parking (for a fee), an equipment concierge, a kiosk for lift tickets and rentals, and the Moment Spa. Starting Jan. 5, Fairmont ambassadors will lead early-morning First Tracks tours on Tuesdays and Fridays for All Accor members (it’s free to join the program, but you have to have a lift ticket).

Mountain/resort: SKI magazine has voted Tremblant the top winter sports area in eastern North America for many of the past 25 years, which is an astounding accomplishment.

Basically, there is nothing else like it in the east. It’s a heady combination of Quebec joie de vivre, great snow sports on four mountain faces and a charming on-mountain village encompassing slope-side lodging from economical to extravagant, and an amazing array of dining, après-ski, entertainment, kids’ stuff, shopping, plus a nearby casino.

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This season, skiers and snowboarders will be able to use radio frequency identification (RFID) for lift access, a major tech move that will improve the flow of lift lines.

The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, a prestigious women’s giant slalom event of the International Ski & Snowboard Federation, will fire up the early season, Dec. 2-3. More than 80 competitors will rocket down the Flying Mile at up to 80 km/h, and music, dancing and parties will round out the weekend.

Among competitors to scope out are Tremblant ambassador Valérie Grenier, an Olympian and World Cup champion; fiery Sarah Bennet from Stoneham; and superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, the United States’ two-time Olympic gold medalist and winner of more World Cups than any skier, male or female (info/tickets at coupedumonde.tremblant.ca).

Much tamer, but also with lots of heart, the 24th edition of 24H Tremblant will light up the slopes, Dec. 8-10. About 4,500 hardy participants will ski, ride and party day, night and overnight to support children’s causes (24htremblant.com).

During Christmas week, the village will sparkle with festive animation and, on some nights, a DJ spinning hits. Jan. 1 will feature the magical torchlight descent by Snow School instructors.

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It’s almost time.

If you go

Tremblant: tremblant.ca, 888-738-1777. An Alterra Mountain Resort/Ikon Pass affiliate.

Fairmont Tremblant: fairmont.com/tremblant/, 819-681-7000, 866-540-4415. Ski-in-ski-out. Accessible. Pets, $48 each, per night. All Accor’s loyalty program valid at 40 brands.

Rates: Best rate guarantee. Children 17 and under stay free. Rates include indoor/outdoor pools, sauna/steam/lockers, Wi-Fi for All Accor members, ski valet, activities. Approximate rates for 312 rooms, incl. 62 suites, start at $279 (Sun.-Thurs.) or $359, (Fri-Sat.). Some have kitchens or sofa-beds. Fairmont Moments offers 10 to 20 per cent off for two to five nights. Ski Flex starts at $469 for two (that’s a 15-per-cent discount), plus a $200 resort credit per room for food/drinks, lifts, rentals or lessons. Extra: Lift tickets, parking.

Food/beverage: Choux Gras: nightly from 6 p.m., chouxgrasbrasserie.com; Axe Lounge Bar: daily from noon; Le Comptoir: lecomptoirtremblant.com. Kids’ menu. La Terrasse Après-Ski: Sat-Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

[email protected]

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