Travel to Mont Orford with ski insurance from Essential Travel

The family-friendly ski resort of Mont Orford is located east of Montréal, in the eastern townships of southern Québec, fairly close to the US border - making it easily accessible to both Canadians and Americans.

Mont Orford is known for offering one of the highest verticals in eastern Canada, as well as skiing and snowboarding for all levels of expertise.

Mont Orford area’s comprehensive facilities make it a relaxing, hassle-free holiday destination where a wide range of age groups harmoniously intermingle. The ski resort is as appealing to young children and teenagers as it is to adults, and childcare facilities and a teen centre ensure that all visitors are catered for at the resort.

There are 54 runs at Mont Orford, connected by eight ski lifts and split up among beginners (35 per cent), intermediates (25 per cent), and advanced skiers and snowboarders (40 per cent). The resort is known for its lengthy runs, and has an additional 47kms of cross-country trails through spectacular terrain.

The ski season at Mont Orford runs from December to April, and a system of snow machines ensures reliable slope conditions throughout. The most convenient means of getting to the ski resort is to fly to Montréal and take a bus to Mont Orford.

Skiing in Mont Orford

The whole family is welcome at Mont Orford, with ski runs ranging from novice through to expert.

Mont Orford offers skiing on 54 runs, of which 35 per cent are suitable for novices, 25 per cent for intermediates, and 40 per cent for advanced riders. In addition to the regular downhill runs, there are 13 trails designed for cross-country skiing.

The resort boasts Canada’s first ever detachable hybrid gondola, with the ability to carry 2,400 people; together with seven other lifts, the cumulative hourly uplift capacity is 11,400 people. Snowboarding is possible on all pistes, and the resort has two terrain parks, inclusive of a half-pipe.

Over and above the skiing and snowboarding options, Mont Orford offers a range of non-skiing activities that include tubing, ice-climbing, ice-skating, snowshoeing, ice-fishing and curling. There are also indoor facilities for tennis, squash, gym, swimming and racquetball. The resort has a laid-back après-ski scene provided by a number of bars, cafés and restaurants.

Skiing is offered at Mont Orford between the months of December and April, with best natural conditions in February but guaranteed snow throughout due to extensive snow cannon coverage. Most visitors get to the resort by flying to Montréal and taking bus transportation the rest of the way.

Après-ski in Mont Orford

Off the slopes, visitors can choose from a wide range of activities and facilities, including ice-climbing, ice-skating, snowshoeing, ice-fishing, curling, sleigh rides and indoor tennis, gym, swimming, squash and racquetball.

Youngsters are catered for with a childcare centre and a teenagers’ meeting venue, and Mont Orford also provides first-aid amenities, a selection of shops and a ski school. An assortment of accommodation is available at the resort and at nearby Magog.

Mont Orford’s amenities extend to first-aid, a childcare centre, a range of shops, including sports and rental stores, a teen centre and a ski and snowboard school. Lodging is supplied by a selection of hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and rental cottages, but nearby Magog offers greater choice of both accommodation and nightlife venues.

There are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing in the surrounding region, with plentiful craft centres and restaurants in the nearby countryside. Mont Orford is just a short distance from the US border, and on the American side, Vermont and New Hampshire are tempting holiday destinations. In Canada, the famous city of Montréal is not to be missed, and offers the explorer an abundance of sights, recreation and entertainment.

Transportation to Mont Orford

Mont Orford is located in southern Québec, 120kms east of Montréal and close to the town of Magog. Transportation options for the resort include self-drive, bus, rail and air transportation.

If you opt for driving from Québec City, plan on roughly three hours for the 235-kilometre journey. Take highway 20 to Drummondville, highway 55 southeast to Sherbrooke, and highway 10 back towards Eastman. Exit at 115 on to highway 112 for Orford.

From the US, take I-91 from Vermont – this route connects with highway 55 at the border and then intersects with highway 10. Take highway 10 west and then exit 115 on to highway 112 for Orford.

The closest major airport to the resort is Montréal-Dorval International Airport, which receives frequent domestic flights as well as regular service from cities worldwide. Buses provide transportation to Mont Orford, or alternatively you could hire a car. If you do so, the route to the resort follows highways 40 and 15 east over the St Lawrence River, highway 10 to Eastman and highway 112 (from intersection 106). The distance to the resort is 130kms (1 hour, 30 minutes).

Montréal is well served by trains via Canada’s efficient rail network, and trains are an affordable and comfortable form of transportation. Five trains arrive in Montréal from Toronto daily, and one train travels from New York’s Penn station to Montréal each day. Buses and taxis provide transportation from the train station to Mont Orford.

Alternatively, Greyhound buses travel regularly to Montréal from destinations across Canada, including Québec City, Ottawa and Toronto. Buses are also available from the US.

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