Earn Your Turns: Splitboarding at Tremblant with an Amputation

Some of the best mountain days start with a simple plan: grab your gear, head outside, and see where the day takes you. For me, Tremblant Ski Resort has become one of my favourite places to splitboard. It’s the tallest resort in my area, only about a 45-minute drive from home, and their parking and shuttle system makes getting to the mountain easy. That combination makes Tremblant perfect for both spontaneous trips and planned adventures.

This particular trip was a bit of both. My girlfriend and I had planned to stay the night, but the real goal was simple: spend a day outside together and climb the mountain. The uphill route to the summit is about 4 km and usually takes around two hours to complete. It’s the kind of climb that gets your heart pumping but still leaves room to enjoy the scenery and conversation along the way. By the time you reach the top, the sense of accomplishment makes every step worth it.

A Mountain That Delivers

When we arrived that morning, the weather couldn’t have been better: about -2°C with overcast skies, perfect for a long climb. Two days earlier, the region had been hit by a major ice storm, so we weren’t sure what conditions we would find. But Tremblant’s grooming team had clearly done an incredible job restoring the trails. On top of that, about 6 cm of fresh snow had fallen that morning, giving the mountain a clean new layer. Sometimes the best days on snow are the ones you almost didn’t expect.

The Climb Up

As an amputee snowboarder, uphill travel is something I pay close attention to. Tremblant’s Algonquin uphill route isn’t overly steep, which allows me to maintain a steady rhythm and enjoy the climb rather than simply grind through it. Compared to splitboarding in the mountains out west, where terrain and avalanche conditions can add a lot of complexity, Tremblant offers a touring experience that is both challenging and accessible.

It’s also a place where the community shines through. On our way up, two different people recognized me. The first was someone from the small town where I grew up in Arnprior, Ontario, and the second was the father of a student I used to teach snowboarding to. My girlfriend and I started joking that I must be some kind of mountain celebrity. It was a funny reminder of how small and connected the snow sports world can be.

Reaching the Summit

Standing at the top of the mountain always brings a sense of pride. Looking down and seeing where we started gives you a powerful perspective on what you’ve just accomplished. For me, moments like that carry extra meaning. After losing my leg to cancer, there were times when I wondered if I would ever experience that feeling of physical accomplishment again.

Sharing that moment with my girlfriend, looking out over the mountain, and enjoying a well-earned beer together was one of those small but meaningful moments that make days like this unforgettable.

The Reward: Riding Down

As much as I enjoy the climb, the descent is always the reward. Despite the recent ice storm, the snow conditions were surprisingly good. The fresh snowfall helped soften the surface, and there weren’t many people on the run, which meant plenty of space to open things up and get creative with turns. After two hours of climbing, letting gravity take over never gets old.

Discovering the Village Experience

What made this trip even more special was staying the night in the Tremblant pedestrian village. Normally, after a day of riding, our routine is simple: drive home, unpack our gear, and go see our dog. This time, there was no rush. After finishing our run, it was only a short walk to our hotel, L’Ermitage du Lac. Within a couple minutes of leaving the mountain, we were relaxing in the hot tub, letting our legs recover from the climb.

Later that evening, we headed into the pedestrian village for dinner and a beer. It was a Saturday night, the temperature was comfortable, and the start of Ontario spring break meant the energy in the village was high. People were out enjoying the atmosphere, walking between restaurants and cafés, and taking in the lights and architecture that make Tremblant so unique. After dinner we wandered through the village before heading back to our room to relax by the fireplace.

A Perfect Place to Recharge

Our stay at L’Ermitage du Lac was the perfect way to end the day. The room was spacious, the location made it easy to explore the village, and the massive king bed felt incredible after spending the entire day on the mountain. Sometimes the best recovery plan is simply a good night’s sleep.

More Than Just a Day on the Mountain

What made this trip truly special was the sense of support and community I experienced at Tremblant. The team here didn’t just say they believed in my mission, they helped support it by giving me the opportunity and resources to share my story and continue encouraging others to get outside and try new things.

Being able to splitboard up the mountain, enjoy an incredible ride down, and then spend the evening in the village with my girlfriend made this trip one I won’t forget anytime soon. And that’s what makes Tremblant Ski Resort such a special place: it’s not just about the mountain—it’s about the experiences you create while you’re there.

About the Author

John Leslie is a Paralympian snowboarder, coach, and lifelong lover of the outdoors. After losing his leg to cancer as a child, he discovered snowboarding as a way to reconnect with adventure and challenge himself in new ways. Today he shares his passion for the mountains by coaching young riders, exploring new terrain, and encouraging others to get outside and try something that once felt impossible.