Tremblant breaks ground on $42.5m Timber Summit expansion

Mont Tremblant has officially launched its largest terrain expansion in years, a C$42.5 million (US$30.6 million) project that will add 62 acres of new skiable terrain, eight trails and a high‑speed detachable quad chairlift by the 2027–28 winter season. The centrepiece, branded Timber Summit, will create a new ski sector on the mountain’s upper reaches, feeding primarily into the Versant Soleil (Sun Side) with a 428‑metre (1,404‑ft) vertical drop and full snowmaking coverage across all new runs.

The investment, announced by resort owner Alterra Mountain Company, is being delivered in two phases: a dedicated beginner learning area opening this coming 2026–27 season, followed by the full Timber Summit terrain pod and lift for 2027–28. Resort executives frame the project as both a capacity play and a long‑term commitment to Tremblant’s position as eastern Canada’s flagship four‑season destination.

Timber Summit: new terrain pod for families and intermediates

Timber Summit will add 62 acres (about 25 hectares) of new trails accessed by the Timber Express, a detachable high‑speed quad with a capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour. The lift will run 1,800 metres (5,906 ft) with a vertical rise of 423 metres (1,388 ft), using technology comparable to Tremblant’s existing Lowell Thomas Express

The new terrain is deliberately weighted toward beginner and intermediate skiers, with a mix of:

• 35% beginner (green)

• 60% intermediate (blue)

• 5% expert (black)

Seven of the eight trails will descend toward Versant Soleil, integrating with the resort’s sun‑facing side and its growing base infrastructure, while one trail will connect to the North Side, offering an additional routing option for more advanced skiers. All new runs will have 100% snowmaking coverage, a critical factor for a region that relies heavily on artificial snow to guarantee early‑season and holiday periods.

By increasing hourly lift capacity by roughly 10%, the project is designed to ease congestion on peak days, particularly on the Versant Soleil, which has seen growing demand in recent seasons. For families and ski schools, the addition of a large, purpose‑built beginner‑intermediate pod should provide more room to progress without mixing with high‑speed expert traffic on the mountain’s steeper corridors.

Phase one: new beginner learning area at Versant Soleil

Before the full Timber Summit opens, Tremblant will debut a new dedicated learning zone at the base of Versant Soleil for the 2026–27 season. Located adjacent to the Casino Express Gondola, the 1.1‑acre (0.45‑hectare) area is designed specifically for first‑time skiers and Snow School programs.

Key features include:

• A covered surface lift (magic carpet) for easy, weather‑protected access

• Gentle terrain with an average slope of approximately 13 degrees

• Complete snowmaking coverage for reliable early‑season operation

• Weekend and peak‑period operation, aligned with ski school schedules

The learning area is intended to give novices a contained, low‑pressure environment to build confidence before moving onto wider, busier beginner slopes elsewhere on the mountain. For Tremblant, it also supports the ongoing development of Versant Soleil as a family‑friendly hub, complementing existing base amenities and the forthcoming Club Med resort.

Investment and ownership: Alterra doubles down on Tremblant

The C$42.5 million outlay comes from Alterra Mountain Company, the U.S.‑based resort group that owns Tremblant and operates the Ikon Pass network. While Alterra controls the ski area, it does not own all adjoining real‑estate developments, meaning the expansion is focused primarily on lift‑served terrain and guest experience rather than new village construction.

In public statements, resort leadership emphasised that Timber Summit is about more than acreage. Patrice Malo, president and CEO of Station Mont Tremblant, described the project as a reflection of Tremblant’s long‑term vision to “continually elevate the Tremblant experience and create new opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, today’s families, and generations to come.”

The timing is notable: after pandemic‑era surges in demand and several seasons of strong visitation across eastern North America, major resorts are investing in capacity and progression pathways to retain multi‑generational families and ski‑school customers. For Tremblant, which already ranks among the largest ski areas in Quebec, the expansion helps maintain its competitive edge against regional rivals and emerging destination resorts.

Context: a long‑planned expansion finally takes shape

Timber Summit was originally announced in 2020 but has only now moved into active construction, with earthworks and trail clearing underway ahead of the first phase opening next winter. The delay reflects the scale of permitting, environmental review and capital planning required for a major terrain addition in a sensitive mountain environment.

When complete, the project will give Tremblant:

• 62 additional acres of lift‑served terrain

• Eight new trails (seven to Versant Soleil, one to the North Side)

• A 428‑metre vertical drop on the new sector

• A high‑speed detachable quad with 2,400‑skier‑per‑hour capacity

• Full snowmaking on all new terrain

• A dedicated 1.1‑acre beginner learning area open from 2026–27

For a mountain that has steadily upgraded lifts, snowmaking and base infrastructure over the past two decades, Timber Summit represents the next logical step: expanding the skiable “footprint” at the top end while strengthening the entry‑level experience at the base.

What it means for skiers in 2026–27 and beyond

In the immediate term, the biggest visible change for the 2026–27 season will be the new beginner learning area at Versant Soleil, offering ski schools and families a more structured progression space near the Casino Express Gondola. For regular guests, this should translate into less congestion on existing green runs and a clearer pathway from first turns to wider mountain exploration.

Looking ahead to 2027–28, Timber Summit will add meaningful new terrain for the resort’s core market: families, intermediates and advancing beginners who make up the bulk of eastern ski days. The 10% lift‑capacity increase is likely to be most noticeable on busy weekends and holiday periods, when queues on the Versant Soleil have been a recurring pain point

For Tremblant as a destination, the expansion reinforces its positioning as a full‑service, four‑season resort with a deep terrain base, modern lift network and growing accommodation options, including the upcoming Club Med. For Alterra, it signals confidence in the long‑term health of the North American ski market and the strategic importance of Tremblant within its portfolio.