Mont Tremblant Vs. Saint-Sauveur: Which Is Better?

Mont Tremblant and Saint-Sauveur are popular weekend getaways from Montreal all year round.

Both villages offer restaurants, shopping, and of course a ski hill to enjoy in the winter. But despite these similarities, there are also quite a few differences.

Each village has their own set of unique pros and cons. So which one is better to visit?

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Mont Tremblant Vs. Saint-Sauveur Which One Should You Visit?

Weekend Getaway From Montreal: Mont Tremblant Vs. Saint-Sauveur

I grew up with family vacations in both Mont Tremblant Village and Saint-Sauveur.

Mont Tremblant Village is a quaint ski village in the Laurentians Quebec, similar to Whistler in British Columbia, but a bit smaller. No cars are allowed in the village itself, so you can walk around care free! Continue reading my guide to Mont Tremblant Village in the summer.

Saint-Sauveur is also a ski village, but it’s set up a bit differently. It’s more practical with large shopping outlets and restaurants. It’s a lot bigger than Mont Tremblant Village and offers a very different vibe for a weekend getaway from Montreal. Continue reading my in depth guide to Saint-Sauveur.

A little cottage house in sauveur main street in the summer. It's a two story house. The house is white with blue paint around the doors and windows. The roof is also blue to match. Sticking out of the roof are two dormers with windows. In front of the house is a glorious garden filled with red and white flowers. The sun is peaking through creating a golden hue on the left side, but casting a shadow on the house, making it seem a bit in darkness.

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Which Village Is In A Better Location?

Mont Tremblant Village is about 30 minutes passed Saint-Sauveur by car, making it a bit more of a hassle to get to.

Saint Sauveur is only a 45 minute drive from Montreal, making it a really easy day trip from the city.

Mont Tremblant Village is around a 2 hour drive from Montreal (with typical traffic). So although you can in theory still visit in one day, it’s better suited for a weekend getaway from Montreal.

At the end of the day, they’re very close to each other it really just depends how far you want to drive.

Colourful buildings line the walking village of Mont Tremblant. You can't see the pedestrian street, the buildings are cut off at the bottom to see the bright colours of the buildings and rooftops, each one different, against the bright blue sky — *Colourful buildings line the walking village of Mont Tremblant*

The Main Attractions: Ski Hills In The Winter

If you’re interested in visiting during the winter for the ski hills, it’s no comparison that Mont Tremblant is the bigger hill. No seriously, it’s HUGE!

One of the main perks is that depending on where you’re staying in the village, you can ski right to your hotels doorstep off the mountain!

If you’re interested in variety though, I’d recommend going to Saint-Sauveur. There are a few ski hills that you can choose from in the area (all within a short drive from the town).

P.S. Don’t know what to pack for winter in Saint-Sauveur, follow my winter packing guide for Montreal.

Ski hill near montreal getting close to night time. There are two ski trails that are open, and a chairlift going up one of them. Trees are in between the run separating each trail. People are walking around in full snow gear at the base of the mountain with skis and snowboards. There is a blueish tint to the photo.

What About Each Village In The Summer?

Because I’m not a huge snowboarder anymore, I’ve been visiting each village in the summer lately, and neither disappoints.

The main difference is that you won’t need a car if you’re visiting Mont Tremblant in the summer, where as you will need on in Saint-Sauveur.

There are tons of summer activities in Mont Tremblant Village that you can access without a car. The ski hill turns into a hiking trail, and a luge course. There’s also a small public beach you can go to within walking distance.

There are also bike trails that start from the village, and take you to the Petit Train du Nord. They also have some family friendly activities that they offer throughout the village.

Saint-Sauveur doesn’t disappoint in the summer either, although as I mentioned, a car will be necessary. On top of nearby hiking and biking trails, there’s also a water park and amusement park that are opne in the summer.

Related

The Ultimate Guide To Easy Bike Paths Around Montreal

easy bike paths around montreal. A blue bike is leaning on a bench. It's on the side of a bike path that is going off into the distance among nature and mountains

Which Village Has Better Restaurants?

The restaurant game is a big deal on vacation. Both ski villages offer a lot of options, but I find they’re not at the same caliber…

Weekend In Mont Tremblant: Could Have Better Restaurants…

The Mont Tremblant restaurant scene is just okay.

Sure there are tons of restaurant options, but they aren’t necessarily good options. The best place to eat is Pizzeteria and Le Diable, and that’s pretty much where it ends.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been there so many times that I’m over the mediocre restaurants that Tremblant has to offer.

There’s typically also a long wait where ever you go. You can’t make reservations anywhere, so depending on when you’re visiting, you’re usually stuck waiting in line.

Plus there’s a 15% resort fee at every restaurant on top of the tax and tip…

the food to eat in mont tremblant village: a beaver tail.

It's not an actual beaver tail.
Someone is holding up the beaver tail against the yellow and red buildings along the pedestrian street in Mont Tremblant village.

The beaver tail is wrapped in red paper, you can see flattened yellow dough, that's been fried, and smothered on top is a chocolate spread with some powdered sugar

I Come To Saint-Sauveur Just For The Restaurants!

Saint-Sauveur is the opposite!

The restaurants are so good in Saint-Sauveur that sometimes I make a day trip just for a specific restaurant here.

If it’s high season, you sill might struggle and have to wait in line, but there will probably be somewhere else to go without a line. There are just more options to choose from, and maybe less people.

My favourite restaurants in Saint-Sauveur are La Tonkinois, Piment Thai and Señor Sanchez. I also love coming here for a coffee from White & Cie!

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a photo from above of the pad thai, with a menu under of the plate for piment thai.

Shopping In Tremblant Vs. Saint-Sauveur

Both ski villages also offer some shopping. This is a great way to pass the time, do some local shopping, or have a backup in case you forgot anything (p.s. don’t forget anything, use my digital packing list from Etsy!).

Saint-Sauveur also wins the shopping scene hands down. You have two options in Saint Sauveur for shopping…

There are the Saint-Sauveur outlets which have larger store brands usually with sale items. But, rue Principale has smaller, and one of a kind local stores to shop at. So there’s a type of shopping for everyone.

Mont Tremblant is a much smaller village, so just doesn’t have as much space for stores. There are a few classics here like Roots, and they have small stores to pick up gear in case you forget anything.

But, if you want some casual shopping you’re not going to get that in Tremblant. There’s only a handful of local shops, but they can be quite expensive.

saint sauveur shopping street along rue principale. You can see the right side of the street at golden hour, the small homes that have turned in to shops are creating a long shadow across the street. There are only two cars on the road, going in each direction. The rest of the people are walking on the sidewalks, and you see people sitting on a restaurant patio. — *Saint-Sauveur Laurentians Quebec*

Which Ski Village Is More Expensive?

I haven’t done a side by side budget comparison for weekend getaway from Montreal for Tremblant or Saint-Sauveur. But, just based on what I’ve seen, Mont Tremblant will be more expensive.

If you’re interested in staying in Mont Tremblant Village itself, that’s the most expensive place to stay in probably in the Laurentians! You have hotels like the Fairmont and Quintenssence, and you won’t find that calibre of hotel in Saint-Sauvuer.

But, you can stay outside the village for MUCH less, or even book an Airbnb for the family, and then it will cost about the same as staying in Saint-Sauveur!

On top of hotel prices, the food will be at least 15% cheaper in Saint-Sauveur because you don’t have that extra resort fee. I also think the prices in Tremblant are hyped up even more than the 15% just because you’re in Tremblant.

If you want to get groceries to cut some costs, you’re somewhat out of luck in Tremblant, there’s a small overpriced General Store, or you have to drive 15 minutes. But Saint-Sauveur has Super C, Maxi, AND IGA all in the same area!

And there aren’t any reasonably priced stores in the Mont Tremblant Village either.

You might also be interested in reading…

Mont Tremblant Village in the Summer

saint-sauveur-from-montreal-featured-image

Guide To Saint-Sauveur From Montreal

church in saint sauveur stand tall, nothing else really compares, it's even taller tahn the trees. It's a three towered church in grey bricks with a silver domed roof at the top of the third tower. It's symmetrical with two shorter towers on either side.
There's a green lawn before you reach the street with park cars all along the side

Staying The Night, Hotel Options Up North

Hotel Recommendations in Mont Tremblant

I stayed at several hotels in Mont Tremblant and would recommend them all.

For a budget friendly option in the Village, stay at the Homewood Suites. The location is at the top of the hill and breakfast is included! Some rooms will even come with a kitchenette. See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

If you want cottage vibes, book the Le Manoir Condos. You get a fully equipped condo for you and your family to stay in. It isn’t in the Village (but not too far) so perfect if you want a quieter more relaxed stay. See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

Related

15 Hotels In Mont Tremblant For The Perfect Weekend Getaway

manoir condos hotels in mont tremblant village.
It's a orange three story building hidden behind some trees on a sunny summer day — Le Manoir Condos

For a luxury stay, book the Fairmont Mont Tremblant. You’ll really feel pampered here! I love their relaxing pool that looks out onto the village. See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

If I could afford it though, nothing beats the Quintessence for a once in a life time weekend getaway from Montreal. This is perfect for that special occasion! See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

For other accommodation options, read my full post on hotels in Tremblant, or see more hotels on Booking.com.

You might also be interested in…

My digital and printable packing guide on Etsy. Filled with packing planning prompts for your next trip!

P.S. Get an additional discount on my Etsy shop with my code ATRLOVE!

Hotel Recommendations in Saint-Sauveur

As I tend to go to Saint-Sauveur for the day, I’ve only ever stayed at the Manoir Saint-Sauveur. It offers the full package for a relaxing weekend away from Montreal. See room rates and availability on their website.

But I’ve also seen this adorable bed and breakfast, Au coeur de Saint-Sauveur, on Rue Principale, the perfect location and place to stay for a romantic weekend getaway. See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

For other accommodation options visit Booking.com.

stay at the manoir st sauveur a photo of the bed in a hotel room. The bed is against a wall with strips of wood, adding a rustic and outdoor feel to the room. The floor is a beige carpet to match the colour of the walls and the head board behind the bed fitted with crisp white bedding. There are two wood bedside tables on either side. — *Stay at the Manoir Saint-Sauveur perfect for a weekend getaway from Montreal*

So Which Is Better – Mont Tremblant Vs. Saint-Sauveur?

At the end of the day, the ski village that’s better for your weekend getaway from Montreal depends on the type of vacation you want.

If you’re looking to not have to use your car, then hands down Mont Tremblant Village is the one for you. I like the fact that you don’t have to leave Mont Tremblant Village, you can park your car and leave it for the weekend. Just expect it to cost you a bit more for the convenience!

Not to mention if you’re looking for an epic ski hill and cuteness factor for vibrant photo ops, then Mont Tremblant is the Laurentian village for you.

But, I do think the restaurants and shopping are SO MUCH better in Saint-Sauveur. It isn’t even close. The worst part about Tremblant is that you get bored of the restaurants so quickly. And you can’t shop anywhere.

So, if you’re willing to use your car while you’re away I’d recommend Saint-Sauveur. Remember, you can also drive to Mont Tremblant for the day of skiing or just to see the Village, it’s only a 30 minute drive.

a birds eye view of mont tremblant village from the distance in the middle of the mountain and trees all around it. You can see the fairmont at the top, the largest hotel hovering above the colourful building below — The Fairmont is the one all the way in the back, towering above the rest of the village.

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