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
4m
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
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Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
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Mont Orford Webcams
1 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Mont Orford's live webcams
Check live conditions across Mont Orford with 1 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Mont Orford Web Cam
- Coming Soon
Mont Orford snow cams FAQ
How often do Mont Orford snow cams update?
All Mont Orford snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Mont Orford.
Which Mont Orford webcam shows the best powder conditions?
High-elevation webcams at Mont Orford typically provide the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These cams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Mont Orford lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Mont Orford snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Mont Orford snow cams?
Check Mont Orford webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Mont Orford lift tickets?
Use our Mont Orford webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Mont Orford webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Mont Orford snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Mont Orford intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.