From easy bunny hills to challenging black runs and fun terrain parks, the Ottawa-Gatineau region is a downhill lover’s dream during the snowy season. In less than 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa, you can be skiing, snowboarding or even tubing down the slopes! Here’s an overview of downhill centres and resorts in the Ottawa-Gatineau region where you can rent gear and carve some powder this winter.
Camp Fortune
Gatineau Park may be a cross-country skiing destination, but it’s also home to the closest downhill ski and snowboard centre to downtown Ottawa! Camp Fortune offers more than 24 different downhill runs varying from beginner to expert levels (its highest elevation is 180 metres or 590 feet). The ski centre is also popular for night skiing with 12 brightly lit runs. You can also practice your skills at the terrain park which features jumps, rails, boxes and a wall.
Centre Vorlage
Located at about a half hour drive from downtown Ottawa, Centre Vorlage is a family ski centre in Wakefield, Québec, which caters to children and beginner alpine skiers. The site, which has a top elevation of 149 metres (490 feet), features 18 different runs – 13 of which are open for night skiing six days a week. You can also let loose at the trick rail and box terrain park.
Sommet Edelweiss
Also located in Wakefield, Québec, Sommet Edelweiss ski centre has trails that range from easy to difficult. The site’s peak elevation of 350 metres (1,148 feet) is the perfect setting for its 22 runs – 16 of which are open for skiing under the stars. Edelweiss is also home to one of the region’s greatest terrain parks, which offers trick snow rollers, rails, boxes and walls. For extra family fun, try snow tubing as well!
Mont Cascades Ski Resort
Located in nearby Cantley, Québec, about a half hour drive from downtown Ottawa, Mont Cascades features a big cozy chalet at the bottom of its 305-metre (1000-feet) peak. Choose from 20 runs that range from easy to extremely difficult – 15 of which are open in the evening – as well as a snow park and snowshoe trails.
Mount Pakenham
Located about a 45-minute drive west from Ottawa in the town of Pakenham, Ontario, Mount Pakenham offers a compact downhill experience. This 85-metre (280-foot) hill has 10 runs that range from easy to difficult. There’s also a terrain park, tubing and snowshoeing.
Calabogie Peaks Ski Resort
Located about an hour’s drive west from downtown Ottawa, Calabogie Peaks is the tallest public ski resort in Eastern Ontario! With a base elevation of 154 metres (505 feet), Calabogie offers 80 acres of skiable terrain and 24 different trails that range from easy to expert. The hill also features a ski and snowboard terrain park, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and pond skating. To take advantage of these activities, you’ll want to stay overnight in the hotel or condo suites.
Mont Ste-Marie
Just over one hour’s drive north of Ottawa is the highest vertical in the region: 381 vertical metres (1250 feet)! Mont Ste-Marie ski resort in Quebec has nearly 30 runs (including a ski/snowboard cross run) spread out over two peaks. Vanier Mountain offers beginner and intermediate terrain, while the steeper Cheval Blanc peak has intermediate and expert terrain.
