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
4m
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
4 m
Annual snow
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
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
9 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon, Idaho, Adds Snowmaking, a Bigger Terrain Park and More Parking for 2026-27
Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.
9 Oct 2026
Valle Nevado Extends Season to November 8 After 108 cm in 48 Hours
Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.
9 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Cold Front Brings Thursday Snow to the High Alps
The Alps look a lot more like winter today, for a day or so. A cold front is moving west to east, dropping up to 35 cm on high glaciers and peaks, with snow levels falling to around 1,500-1,800 m at times. Don’t plan a trip around it: mid-elevation snow will be thin and wet, every area is closed bar a limited Sölden glacier opening tomorrow, and warmer weather returns by Monday.
8 Oct 2026
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.
7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
5 Oct 2026
Dolomiti Superski 2026-27: Four New Gondolas, New Reservoirs and an €89 Peak Day Pass
Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.
4 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.