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Owl's Head Ski Resort
Stats & FAQ
Location: Quebec, Canada
Established: 1965
Open: December - April
Downhill: 163 acres / 50 runs
View our detailed Owl's Head snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Owl's Head snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Montréal International Airport (YUL) | 153km, 2 hours |
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| Top Altitude: | 756m / 2480ft |
| Bottom Altitude: | 216m / 709ft |
| Resort Altitude: | 216m / 709ft |
| Longest run: | 1 mile |
| Slope Orientation: | N |
| Vertical Drop: | 540m / 1770ft |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 163 acres / 50 runs |
| Beginner slopes: | 30% |
| Intermediate: | 40% |
| Advanced slopes: | 30% |
| Lift Pass Price: | $48 Canadian Dollars (adult single day pass) |
| Nearby resorts: Bromont | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Owl's Head
For all this resort’s family-friendliness, Mont Owl’s Head can be a demanding peak, with challenges to help all but an Olympian up their game. What the 175-acre ski area lacks in size, it makes up for in views of Lake Memphremagog and in peace and quiet – even when Owl is considered “busiest”, you’ll rarely sit in a lift line longer than a minute.
Beginners have all they need to progress quickly with the INIparc nursery area, and there are usually cost-effective INISKI packages with the ski school. The Little Rouge and Panorama quads serve green runs only, making for clear areas of progression.
Intermediates are going to have the biggest hoot... with runs from every chair and quad, including lots from the summit. Take Peak to Centennial to Upper Traverse to really get a feel for this mountain’s 1700ft vertical. Don’t miss Lilly’s Leap, a fun run with lots of switchbacks which, when skies are blue, looks all the way across the lake’s 33 miles. Did you SNO?: it’s named after the resort owner’s wife. You’ll find many narrow, pitchy blues all over the resort, ideal for a challenge.
Owl is not lacking in steeps and the black trails here are truly deserving of their colour. The narrow Grand Allée reaches a sheer 47 degrees and “The Wall” on the Colorado trail reaches 43 and is major bump territory. Glades are another local specialty. Some say you have to be bonkers to attempt the double diamond, Ponsoon, but there are other friendlier glades to work your way up to it. Check out the "Que'quepart" sector on the east side of the mountain for virtually untouched backcountry skiing.
For interested boarders and adventurous skiers, a half-pipe and terrain park are both available.
Owl's Head Apres Ski
1 cafeteria, 1 dining room and 1 bar – means 1 way to spend an evening, but this is the kind of resort where staff know you by the end of the week and you make fast friends with fellow skiers over foosball, darts, and communal TV’s. Behind the bar counter, look out for Lilly, namesake of the beautiful intermediate run from the summit and wife of the resort founder, Dave.
For more excitement, look to the many small towns nearby. Spa-goers with Owl lift tickets often see special après rates at Scandinavian-style Spa Bolton, where you can bubble in outdoor hot tubs and steam wind-ravaged skin soft again in wood-fired Finnish saunas. Venture east to Mansonville, a quiet stop along route 243 for Owl’s Bread, a bakery with chocolate croissants, truffles and cheeses you’d be willing to travel a lot further for. 30 minutes away, Magog is a pretty city on the edge of the lake you’ve been ogling all day. It’s full of fun like eclectic gift shops, spas and wineries – and now that you’re at the water’s edge, you can learn more about its Loch Ness...
Best time to go
Best time to ski Owl's Head
Best time to visit & ski Owl's Head
175 inches (450cm) of snow a year is backed up by a first-class snowmaking system that covers 90% of the skiable terrain, for which 33-mile Lake Memphremagog is the ultimate snowmaking reservoir. Many of the Quebec resorts don’t get going until the final week of December, which may have an impact on Christmas skiing. But by January things are usually running at full capacity.
This is Canada, and while Owl is too far south for the artic conditions in the north, temperatures are still pretty cold. January sees average highs of -1°C, not to mention the lows… Only in March do averages pick up out of the minuses. On the very bright side, this all gives the snow machines lots to work with! Dress warm, consider a balaclava and enjoy the snow.
Peak Dates
The most wonderful time of year is often the most expensive, so you’ll appreciate the savings you’ll make at Christmas in Owl’s Head. If early season conditions cooperate, the resort should be open in time for a brilliant week on the hill.
Spend a New Year in Owl’s Head with your nearest and dearest and enjoy the annual gourmet buffet in the dining room. Alternatively, ski in the day and throw on the glad rags to celebrate the year’s end of a lifetime at one of Montréal’s grand balls or nightclubs.
If you’ve crossed the pond to escape the school holiday hoards, pick a spot that’s truly quiet and go for Half Term in Owl’s Head. On the mountain, there’s rarely a lift line and something for all the family, while off it you can enjoy quality time and walks round the lake.
Spring has sprung by the time it’s Easter in Owl’s Head, temperatures are far friendlier and views over Lake Memphremagog dreamier than ever
Families in Owl's Head
Small, quiet resorts like this one are always winners with families, but Owl has more going for it than just p & q. You cannot be closer to the slopes than in one of this resort’s apartments or condos, taking the stress out of getting everyone up in the mornings. If you’ve forgotten the lip salve, it’s only ever a quick dash back to get it.
The Dropoff Center will take little owls between the ages of 2 and 10, so there’s time to explore, while first timers have always been able to enjoy INISKI programs – economical taster packages that are less of a commitment than a week of lessons. For mini shredders, private and “semi-private” lessons are available from age 5 and up.
GroupsGroup Holidays Owl's Head
If savings and a good night’s sleep mean more to your group than bars and nightclubs, Owl is one for the definitely-maybe list. Accommodation may not be the newest and there’s only one place for a beer at the end of the day, but for making the group budget work, few can compare.
Celebrate the savings and live a little − taking a private mountain tour with Luc Skypowder, who’ll show you all the mountain’s best bits and kodak moments. Or, if you’re here between January and the end of Feb, workshops for groups of up to 8 will introduce you to powder, glades and moguls.
It’s personal at this mountain and just to make your memories fonder, staff have been known hold special events like wine and cheese receptions, sumo wrestling in the snow, broomball, snow volleyball, karaoke and moonlit snowshoeing.
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