Top 8 spots for downhill skiing, snowboarding and winter fun around Ottawa
5 Minute Read
While the National Capital Region doesn't have the towering peaks of the Rockies, it still offers plenty of great options for hitting the slopes with family and friends. Whether you’re a new skier seeking a starter hill like Mount Pakenham or a snowboarder looking to level up on the region’s highest vertical drop at Mont Ste-Marie, this list outlines your best options for carving some powder around Ottawa.
Not into downhill skiing? Several Ottawa-area ski centres also offer tubing, snowshoeing and even fat biking– making them ideal destinations for winter fun.
Calabogie Peaks
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGpApoVN9u9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Where: 30 Barrett Chute Rd., Calabogie, ON
Vertical drop: 238 metres
Skiers willing to take a 90-minute drive from Ottawa will be rewarded with the highest vertical drop among Ontario ski hills at Calabogie Peaks.
Founded in 1969 and located 80 km west of Ottawa, the resort is named after the nearby community of Calabogie, even though the mountain is called Dicksons Mountain. New skiers will enjoy the longest beginner trail in Ontario (over 2 km) and a beginner hill. Offering a total of 25 runs, Calabogie also has plenty of options for intermediate and advanced skiers. Snowboarding is allowed on all runs.
Camp Fortune
Where: 300 Chemin Dunlop, Chelsea, QC
Vertical drop: 196 metres
Nestled in beautiful Gatineau Park– next to the charming, little town of Chelsea– Camp Fortune is one of the most popular spots among Ottawa’s downhill skiers. With a history dating back to 1920, it’s one of North America’s oldest alpine ski centres and was the early training ground for Olympians Betsy Clifford, Anne Heggtveit, Patrick Biggs and Crispin Lipscomb.
Camp Fortune comprises three peaks: Valley, Meech and Skyline. With 27 runs, the ski centre accommodates skiers from beginners to experts. For those looking to hit the slopes after work or school, Camp Fortune also offers 12 lit runs for night skiing. Snowboarders and skiers love practicing their skills at the terrain park, which offers jumps, rails, boxes and a wall.
Centre Vorlage
Where: 65 Chemin Vorlage, Wakefield, QC
Vertical drop: 150 metres
A half-hour from Parliament Hill, Wakefield’s Centre Vorlage caters to skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and bikers alike. The ski centre offers 18 runs of varying difficulty and is the only area hill with two sanctioned alpine touring trails – a type of skiing that combines climbing up with your own power and skiing downhill. Night skiing is available on more than half of the runs.
Looking for more winter fun? Centre Vorlage also has trails for snowshoeing and fat biking in the winter.
Mont Cascades
Where: 448 Mont-des-Cascades Rd., Cantley, QC
Vertical drop: 165 metres
About a half-hour drive from downtown Ottawa, Mont Cascades in Cantley, Quebec, is a family-friendly ski and snowboard area with a little something for everyone. The ski centre features 21 runs spread across two distinct areas: the World Cup side caters to intermediate and expert skiers. At the same time, the larger North Side offers a wide range of runs, along with a beginner-specific learning zone. Located on Express and Cascades trails, the Snow Park offers a variety of features and jumps. Night skiers can enjoy 16 runs under the lights.
For non-skiers, Trails 4 and 5 are open year-round and ideal for a 3 km snowshoe adventure.
Mont Ste-Marie
Where: 76 Chemin de Mont Ste-Marie, Lac-Sainte-Marie, QC
Vertical drop: 402 meters
Boasting the region’s highest vertical drop and varied terrain, Mont Ste-Marie is about an hour’s drive from Ottawa.
This Quebec ski centre offers nearly 30 runs over two peaks: Vanier Mountain and Cheval Blanc. Vanier Mountain features both beginner and intermediate-level runs, and brand-new skiers will appreciate the Finklestein Express – a magic carpet to propel you up the hill in front of the main lodge. Cheval Blanc challenges intermediate and expert-level skiers with steeper terrain.
Mont Tremblant
Where: 1000 Chemin des Voyageurs, Mont-Tremblant, QC
Vertical drop: 645 metres
Ideal for a weekend getaway, the Mont Tremblant Ski Resort is about a two-hour drive from downtown Ottawa. The mountain offers 102 ski trails on four distinct sides, offering a wide array of options for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Those looking to tackle the mountain differently can access Tremblant’s snowshoeing and alpine touring trails.
After a full day on the slopes, skiers can explore the shops and restaurants in the village at the base of the resort, which mimics the alpine villages of Europe.
Mount Pakenham Ski Resort
Where: 311 Ski Hill Rd., Pakenham, ON
Vertical drop: 85 metres
If you’re a brand-new skier, fear not: Mount Pakenham has you covered. Pakenham’s small size makes it an ideal learn-to-ski hill, and the Beginner Centre offers a carpet lift, a handle tow and a rope tow. Accessible in just under an hour from downtown Ottawa, this family-owned and operated ski centre caters to skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers. Pakenham offers 10 alpine runs of varying difficulty, a terrain park, and LED-lit trails five nights per week.
Want to take a break from skiing? Mount Pakenham also offers 10 kilometres of scenic snowshoe trails; trail maps are available at the front counter when you purchase your trail pass.
Sommet Edelweiss
Where: 538 Chemin Edelweiss, Wakefield, QC
Vertical drop: 200 metres
Just 30 minutes north of Ottawa in Wakefield, Sommet Edelweiss offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Featuring a 120 metre covered carpet and varied modules, the Intro-Plus Learning Zone is the perfect place for beginners. Sommet Edelweiss also features 23 varied runs, including 18 that are lit for night skiing.
For non-skiers looking to join in on the winter fun, Sommet Edelweiss’ Snow Tubing Park offers the perfect alternative.
Mobile Ski and Skate Service
Need help prepping your gear for the winter season? Now CAA can help with that! Our Mobile Ski and Skate Service makes it easy; simply book it online, and a qualified technician will come to your location. Services include tuning and waxing for downhill skis, snowboards, cross-country skis, and even skate sharpening!
