Owls Head
71 hectares, 50 runs near Mansonville. Slopes above Lake Memphremagog, extensive snowmaking, scenic setting.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
4 Dec 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
128
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.
Owl's Head's summit reaches 753 metres, dropping 545 vertical metres to a base at 208 metres across 50 runs spread over roughly 71 hectares near Mansonville, Quebec. Terrain splits 34 per cent intermediate, 26 per cent beginner, 24 per cent expert and 16 per cent advanced, with average annual snowfall of roughly 3.5 metres. Six lifts, including one double chair and four quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.
Owl's Head holds a genuinely distinctive place among Eastern Townships resorts for its slopes rising directly above Lake Memphremagog, a 33-mile lake that also serves as the resort's snowmaking reservoir. Its considerable views and comparatively varied terrain have built the resort's reputation as one of the more scenic, if lesser-known, destinations in the Eastern Townships.
Mansonville electrician Fred Korman developed the ski area on Mont Owl's Head as something of a side project, opening it in 1965 with three lifts, two chairlifts and one t-bar, alongside six runs designed by Olympic skier Bob Richardson. Korman ran the hill's debut season together with his wife Lillian and daughter Caroll, and what began as a modest hobby business grew steadily into a four-season destination under the family's continued development.
The resort's snowmaking system, covering 90 per cent of skiable terrain, draws on Lake Memphremagog as its primary water reservoir, with slopes rising directly above the lake's shoreline. More recently, new owners operating as Destination Owl's Head have continued developing the site's potential. Adult daily tickets run from 75 to 85 Canadian dollars.
545m
Vertical
50
Runs
175 acres
Skiable
4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
50 runs across 175 acres skiable
Owl's Head overlooks Lake Memphremagog near the Vermont border, dropping 545 metres from 753 down to 208 metres. Its 50 runs cover about 71 hectares, and the split is 26% beginner, 34% intermediate, 16% advanced and 24% expert, which is a strikingly high expert share for a hill this size. One double chair, four quads and a surface lift serve the mountain, so queues rarely become a major issue. It is a compact area, but the vertical is among the best in the Eastern Townships, and the lake views keep the day interesting.
The expert figure comes from steep, narrow trails and a decent set of glades, including a double-black line called Ponsoon, and the narrow steeps firm up quickly after a freeze, so conditions can change noticeably from one day to the next. Intermediate trails are groomed well and offer flowing mid-mountain skiing, while beginners have a gentler zone near the base. Snowmaking covers most of the hill, which supports reliable coverage through the cold months. Owl's Head suits adventurous intermediates, advanced skiers and families who want a quieter, more scenic alternative to the busier Laurentian hills.
Terrain split
50
runs
50 runs across 4 grades
Beginner13 runs · 26%
Intermediate17 runs · 34%
Advanced8 runs · 16%
Expert12 runs · 24%
Time it right
When to visit Owls Head
The 2025-26 season at Owl's Head ran from 5 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 3.5 metres, backed by a comprehensive snowmaking system covering 90 per cent of skiable terrain. 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 Owl's Head's intermediate-weighted terrain. Given the resort's considerable snowmaking capacity, drawn from the adjacent Lake Memphremagog, conditions remain reliable even during lighter natural snowfall periods.
Owl's Head's lake views and varied terrain continue to draw visitors seeking a scenic, comparatively uncrowded Eastern Townships destination throughout the season. School holiday periods bring family visitation given the resort's approachable terrain mix.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Destination Owl's Head's more recent acquisition, the resort has continued building on six decades of history since Fred Korman's 1965 founding. The resort's Lake Memphremagog setting and considerable snowmaking capacity remain central to its enduring, scenic appeal.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
128
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Owls Head, and where to stay
Owl's Head sits near Mansonville, Quebec, in the Eastern Townships, with a base elevation of 208 metres and a summit at 753 metres across a 545-metre vertical drop over roughly 71 hectares. This setting places the resort directly above the shores of Lake Memphremagog, close to the Vermont border.
Mansonville and the broader Eastern Townships region offer lodging and dining within a short drive of the resort, with accommodation also available near the lake's shoreline close to the mountain.
Quebec Route 243 and local roads provide access to the resort from the broader region. Winter driving conditions on these routes can include snow and ice, and the resort's comparatively rural location means travellers should allow additional time compared with more centrally located Eastern Townships destinations.
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, roughly a two-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with Owl's Head's proximity to the Vermont border also drawing visitors from the northeastern United States.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Owls Head, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
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Owls Head Webcams
2 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Owls Head's live webcams
Check live conditions across Owls Head with 2 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
- Summit753m
- Get a commanding view from this Owls Head webcam perched at the mountain's highest point. Take in spectacular views of Lake Memphremagog while checking current conditions across this Eastern Townships ski area.
- Base366m
- This Owls Head webcam overlooks the base area from above the cafeteria. Perfect for monitoring snow conditions and base area activity before heading up the mountain for a day of skiing with lake views.
Owls Head snow cams FAQ
How often do Owls Head snow cams update?
All Owls Head 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 Owls Head.
Which Owls Head webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Summit webcam at 753m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Owls Head webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Owls Head lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Owls Head 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 Owls Head snow cams?
Check Owls Head 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 Owls Head lift tickets?
Use our Owls Head 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 Owls Head webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Owls Head snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Owls Head intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.