The Ottawa region has a pretty bad reputation among Montrealers. Sure, shops and restaurants in Ottawa close early, there isn’t a metro system – nor anywhere for one to really go, and while the city is actually replete with castles (the Parliament Buildings, the Chateau Laurier, the Museum of Nature, etc.), hanging out with the Prime Minister is not the knee-buckling joy it may have been for a past generation. With that said, the two-hour lacklustre drive we must endure to visit Ottawa can be effectively offset in the winter if one is just willing to shoot an extra twenty minutes north. Cross any of those five bridges connecting Ontario to Quebec, grab the highway and welcome back to la belle province: the famous Gatineau Hills await us (and our skis/snowboard/nerve).

While many outdoorsy Montrealers enjoy weekends at Mont Tremblant, or trips down to Vermont’s Jay Peak, the Outaouais region offers winter sports enthusiasts an equal array of options, coupled with the proximity of Gatineau and Ottawa, both of which contain classy and luxurious accommodations. Re-think the location of your holiday ski trip this year and try out one of the following ski/snowboard parks centralized in the heart of the Gatineau Hills.

Camp Fortune
Camp Fortune is located on the outskirts of historic Old Chelsea, a lovely West Quebec town containing charming restaurants and shops selling local art, food and souvenirs. Composed of 23 hills (the tallest of which is Skyline at 590 ft), 7 lifts, 3 separate ski areas and 1 terrain park, Camp Fortune is a favourite among the more experienced snowboarders and skiers who take to its hills. Regular and holiday day/night passes range from $22 to $38, and all passes can be purchased online.
Camp Fortune – 300 Dunlop Road, Chelsea, Quebec. From downtown Ottawa, take either the Macdonald Cartier Bridge or the Portage Bridge onto Highway 5 north. Exit into Old Chelsea, left on Scott Road, left on Meech Lake Road and follow the signs to Camp Fortune.

Ski Vorlage
In the heart of Wakefield, Quebec, Ski Vorlage is a particularly popular park for families and kids. Recognized for its excellent snow school, over 150 certified ski and snowboard instructors offer private and group classes, for kids and adults alike, all season long. After hitting the hills, head down to Wakefield and take advantage of some great food (try L’Hibou) or head over to the Black Sheep Inn for beer and live music. Ski Vorlage regular and holiday day/night passes range from $17 to $34.50.
Ski Vorlage – 65 chemin Burnside, Wakefield, Quebec. Cross the McDonald-Cartier bridge from Ottawa, follow Highway 5 north to Highway 105 north, turn into Wakefield, and follow the signs to Ski Vorlage.

Ski Edelweiss
About ten minutes northeast of Wakefield, Ski Edelweiss boasts 18 trails and a renowned snow park, featuring obstacles and tubing (essentially, the sort of tubing you’d typically do behind a boat, except on a massively steep, icy hill – have fun!) over 1300 acres of rural Quebec landscape. Regular day and night passes vary in price from $27 to $39, with tubing ranging from $8 to $21 depending on the length of your stay.
Ski Edelweiss – 538 Edelweiss Road, Wakefield, Quebec. From Ottawa, grab Highway 5 north to Highway 105, all the way to Wakefield, then east on Highway 366 to Ski Edelweiss.

Mont Cascades
Add an extra 25 minutes to your drive, and check out Mont Cascades’ 20-run ski park in rural Cantley, Quebec. Renowned for its large water park during the summer months, Mont Cascades matches this popularity with an amazing crowd of snowboard and ski regulars who annually master dozens of rails, walls and jumps in Mont Cascades’ Revolution Snow Park. Consider yourself brave and skilled on a board? Tackle the Rainbow Volks and get back to us. Regular day and night passes range from $19 to $35, and passes can be purchases online.
Mont Cascades – 448 Mont Cascades Rd. Cantley, Quebec. Crossing the MacDonald Cartier bridge from Ottawa, take Highway 50 east to Exit 138/Saint-Louis. Proceed north on Saint-Louis /Highway 307 for 15km until you see signs for Mont Cascades.

By Tyler Yank
Photo Credit: Zoe Lomoro