I am thinking about planning a ski vacation over the XMAS/New Year's Holiday and am considering east coast locations that would have a nice ski village atmosphere, and a good chance of snow the end of December. We would be driving from Upstate NY area. Our friends have been to Mont Tremblant and have highly recommended it for the ski village ambience.

What would be the best, nicest accomodations that are ski-in/ski-out - The Fairmont? The Westin? Anything else? We really like smaller, modern-elegant boutique hotels - but the Fairmont seems to be the premier ski-in/ski-out. Thoughts?

I ski often at Tremblant but have never stayed overnight, so I can't comment on the quality of the hotels.

The Fairmont is very well situated, a very short walk to the lifts, so if that is your main criterion, I would stay there.

However, if you are looking for a modern boutique hotel, your choice should be Quintessence. It's not really ski-in ski-out as it is just on the outskirts of the village right on the lake. It's a short walk to the village, but I imagine that it also has its own shuttle to the lifts.

Wherever you stay, make your reservations right away as Tremblant does book up quickly for the Christmas New Year's period.

You may want to consider "La Place St-Bernard" which is part of Les Suites Tremblant. These units are closest to the lifts - a mere 50 steps from the main gondola by my count. Most of the units come with a living room and full size kitchen.

Being able to go to your room for lunch sure beats maneuvering in a crowded cafeteria with ski boots on.

Thank you. Regarding the LaPlace - St. Bernard, it sounds like we can leave our room all geared up with ski boots on and walk to the the lifts?

"Regarding the LaPlace - St. Bernard, it sounds like we can leave our room all geared up with ski boots on and walk to the the lifts?"

Yes. There are lockers in the lobby area for skis and poles (you get a combination lock when you check in) because they don't want skis in the rooms but you drop off or pick up your skis on the way out/in and walk over to the gondola. Because the gondola is so close, when we go we always head back to the room for lunch, take off the ski boots, ski pants and put up our feet for an hour or so. Also makes bathroom breaks a lot easier.

Having a full kitchen is great, if only for breakfast and lunch. Saves a lot of time - more time for skiing.

You can walk to the lifts in ski boots from both Place St. Bernard and the Fairmont. The Fairmont is only a few steps more. The difference between the two is that the Fairmont is a full-service hotel, while the Place St. Bernard is a condo complex. Neither is a boutique hotel, but are very good accommodation and most convenient to the lifts. Your choice depends on the type of accommodation you want.