Mont Orford
99 hectares, 44 runs within Mont-Orford National Park. Three summits, family-friendly, near Montreal.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
134
Annual snow
3.5m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mont Orford's summit reaches 850 metres, dropping 589 vertical metres to a base at 261 metres across 44 runs spread over roughly 99 hectares within Mont-Orford National Park, Quebec. Terrain splits 41 per cent beginner, 28 per cent intermediate, 24 per cent advanced and 7 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 3.5 metres. Seven lifts, including three quad chairs and one gondola, serve the mountain alongside one triple chair and two surface lifts.
Mont Orford holds a genuinely distinctive place among Quebec resorts as a ski area operating within a provincial national park, spread across three summits within the Eastern Townships. Its approachable, beginner-weighted terrain and considerable natural surroundings have built the resort's reputation as a scenic, family-oriented destination roughly an hour from Montreal.
Dr George Austin Bowen first dreamed of creating a park around Mont Orford in the 1920s, and that vision was realised on 8 April 1938, when a law was passed to create Parc national du Mont-Orford after twenty-seven area municipalities agreed to cede territory to the Quebec government. A golf course, chalet and the mountain's first mechanical lift were built in the park's early years, and the ski area opened on 5 February 1941 despite wartime shortages of supplies, workers and tools.
Management of the park transferred to the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec in 1979. Though the mountain remains officially part of a provincial park, the ski hill and base area have been run by a succession of private operators over the decades. Adult daily tickets run from 75 to 85 Canadian dollars.
589m
Vertical
44
Runs
245 acres
Skiable
3.5m
Annual snow
The Terrain
44 runs across 245 acres skiable
Mont Orford rises from 261 to 850 metres inside a national park near Magog, giving a vertical of 589 metres, one of the better figures in the Eastern Townships. Its 44 runs cover about 99 hectares, and the grading is beginner-friendly at 41%, with 28% intermediate, 24% advanced and 7% expert. A gondola, three quad chairs and a triple chair take skiers up, plus two surface lifts. The terrain is spread over several peaks, so the descents feel longer and more varied than the compact footprint would suggest on paper.
Forested surroundings define the skiing here, and the park setting means trails wind through mature woods rather than open clearings. The gondola gives a comfortable ride to the top, where views stretch across the lakes and hills of the region. Intermediate runs make up a pleasant, flowing mid-mountain, and a good beginner share means families can stay together. Glades add a bit of challenge for stronger skiers, though the expert terrain is limited. Orford suits learners, families and relaxed intermediates, and works well as a base for a long weekend alongside Magog and nearby Owl's Head and Sutton.
Terrain split
44
runs
44 runs across 4 grades
Beginner18 runs · 41%
Intermediate12 runs · 28%
Advanced11 runs · 24%
Expert3 runs · 7%
Time it right
When to visit Mont Orford
The 2025-26 season at Mont Orford ran from 27 November 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 3.5 metres. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather in the Eastern Townships.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Mont Orford's beginner-weighted terrain across three summits. Given its considerable proximity to Montreal, roughly an hour away, Mont Orford draws substantial day-trip and weekend visitation from the metropolitan area.
Mont Orford's setting within a national park continues to draw visitors seeking scenic surroundings alongside approachable skiing throughout the season. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's beginner-friendly terrain mix.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since park management transferred to Sépaq in 1979, Mont Orford has continued building on more than eight decades of history since its 1941 opening. The resort's national park setting and family-friendly character remain central to its enduring appeal in the Eastern Townships.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
134
Days open
3.5 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Mont Orford
Daily snow reports at Mont Orford go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
25 cm
Snowiest day
2 Dec 2025
0 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
421 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Mont Orford, and where to stay
Mont Orford sits within Mont-Orford National Park, Quebec, with a base elevation of 261 metres and a summit at 850 metres across a 589-metre vertical drop over roughly 99 hectares spread across three summits. This setting places the resort within the Eastern Townships, roughly an hour from Montreal.
The town of Magog, on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, offers extensive lodging and dining within a short drive of the resort, alongside the smaller municipality of Orford directly adjacent to the park.
Autoroute 10 provides direct access to the resort from Montreal. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled highway is regularly maintained given the resort's status as a popular Eastern Townships destination.
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, roughly a 90-minute drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with Mont Orford's considerable proximity to Montreal supporting substantial day-trip visitation from the metropolitan area.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mont Orford, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026
Mont Orford Lift Tickets
Mont Orford lift tickets & passes
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 28, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Mont Orford typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from CA$5, with peak rates up to CA$85.
8 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Full Day Ticket
CA$75up to CA$85 peak
Mont Orford offers skiing across 3 summits and 4 slopes with 44 trails including 18 glades. Located just 1 hour from Montreal in the Eastern Townships, featuring diverse terrain and scenic mountain views.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Full Day Ticket
CA$55up to CA$65 peak
Mont Orford youth lift tickets for ages 13-17. Experience 245 acres of skiable terrain with varied difficulty levels across three mountains, perfect for developing skiing skills.
Buy passChild 6–12
Child Full Day Ticket
CA$45up to CA$55 peak
Mont Orford child lift tickets for ages 6-12. Family-friendly skiing with excellent beginner terrain and a covered magic carpet, located in beautiful Orford National Park.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Full Day Ticket
CA$55up to CA$65 peak
Mont Orford senior discounted lift tickets for guests 65+. Enjoy skiing across multiple mountain faces with wind protection and excellent grooming in the heart of Quebec's national park.
Buy passChild 0–5
Child 5 & Under Ticket
CA$5
Mont Orford child tickets for ages 5 and under. Affordable introduction to skiing for young children at this family-oriented Eastern Townships destination.
Buy passAdult 18–99
Weekend Last Days Special
CA$68
Mont Orford special reduced rates for the last weekend of the season. Take advantage of spring skiing conditions with discounted pricing on quality groomed runs.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Half Day Ticket
CA$55up to CA$65 peak
Mont Orford half-day tickets valid from 12:30 PM until closing (last ascent 3:45 PM). Perfect for afternoon skiing with access to all 7 lifts and mountain terrain.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–99
L'EST GO Card Discount
CA$149
Mont Orford accepts the L'EST GO card offering reduced price lift tickets at four Eastern Townships resorts. Perfect for skiers wanting to explore multiple mountains.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Mont Orford day pass cost?
Mont Orford day passes range from CA$5 to CA$85 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Mont Orford lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Mont Orford lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Mont Orford, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Mont Orford lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Mont Orford - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Mont Orford lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Mont Orford offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Mont Orford directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Mont Orford.
More Mont Orford intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.