Discover the Spirit of Ski Touring in Quebec
Ski touring has been gaining momentum across Quebec, drawing skiers away from lift lines and into quieter backcountry climbs. With long winters, rolling mountain ranges, and snow-laden forests, the province offers a landscape that’s both accessible and adventurous. Touring invites a slower, more attentive style of travel, where layering, timing, and terrain awareness become part of the rhythm rather than technical hurdles.
Among Quebec’s top destinations, Mont-Orford stands out. Located in the Eastern Townships just a short drive from Montreal, it blends forested ascents, scenic ridgelines, and a welcoming touring community.
In this article, we cover how to prepare for your first outing, what gear matters most, and the best Orford routes for your level of experience.
Preparing for Your Tour: Gear, Layers, Essentials
Without question, ski touring is more enjoyable when you’re dressed for changing effort and shifting weather. Quebec winters can swing from deep cold at the trailhead to warm, sweaty climbs in the trees, so a smart layering system keeps you comfortable without overheating. Think breathable next to skin, warmth in the middle, and wind protection on top, in other words: simple, adaptable, and easy to adjust as you ascend.
Base Layers: Moisture Management Matters
A good touring day starts with a base layer that wicks sweat and dries quickly. As you climb, your body heat rises fast, and staying dry helps prevent chills once you stop or transition for the descent. Merino and synthetic blends both work well in Quebec’s humidity, offering warmth without bulk and next-to-skin comfort.
Mid Layers: Warmth You Can Regulate
Mid layers provide insulation, but they should be easy to vent or remove. Lightweight fleece or active-insulation pieces shine here—warm enough for shady forest sections, but breathable when the pace picks up. Many skiers carry a compact puffy in their pack for summit breaks or windy ridgelines.
Shop Men’s & Women’s Mid Layers
Outer Shells: Protection from Wind and Snow
An outer shell shields you from gusts, blowing snow, and the sudden temperature drops common in the Eastern Townships. Look for a jacket with good mobility, underarm vents, and a durable waterproof/windproof membrane. Touring involves constant movement, so comfort and breathability matter just as much as weather protection.
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Touring Equipment: The Core Setup
Ski touring gear is designed to move uphill efficiently and descend confidently. The essentials include:
- Touring skis that balance weight and stability
- Bindings with walk mode and secure heel lock
- Climbing skins sized to match your ski base
- Adjustable poles for varied slopes
- Touring boots with good ankle articulation
You can read more about the top 25 essentials for backcountry skiing and ski touring here.
Safety and Essentials to Pack
Even on familiar mountains, preparation matters. Quebec weather changes fast, and tree-lined routes can feel remote once you’re climbing. Some useful items you should definitely bring along include:
- Hydration and snacks
- A small repair kit
- Map/compass or GPS app
- Headlamp for early starts or slow descents
- Extra gloves and a warm layer
These pieces don’t add much weight, but they add a ton of confidence, making it easier to enjoy every moment without rushing back to basecamp.
Safety First: Touring Responsibly
Ski touring is rewarding because it gives you more freedom, but that freedom comes with responsibility. Even when you’re staying within designated touring zones, conditions can shift quickly, especially with temperature swings, fresh snowfall, or wind effects on open ridges. A little prep goes a long way in keeping the day relaxed and fun.
Avalanche Awareness: The Core Tools
While much of southern Quebec has lower avalanche exposure than larger alpine regions, conditions can still create unstable layers, wind slabs, and loaded slopes—especially around bowls, steeper pitches, and ungroomed areas.
Carrying a beacon, probe, and shovel is the baseline, and knowing how to use them is just as important as having them in your pack. Practise regularly with a partner to stay confident and efficient.
Know the Conditions Before You Go
Checking the weather and snow report is more than just a formality. Temperature variations, rain-snow transitions, and freeze–thaw cycles all influence snow firmness, surface crust, and descent quality. Trail access updates and mountain advisories help you choose the right route for the day.
Pace, Route Choice, and Group Communication
Touring days are better when the group stays together and moves at a pace that feels steady rather than rushed. Agreeing on turnaround times, regrouping points, and descent plans keeps everyone aligned, especially if comfort/experience levels differ.
Respecting the Mountain and the Community
Responsible touring means staying on approved routes, yielding to downhill skiers, and keeping transitions efficient at busy points. Snowshoe users, resort guests, and other tourers all share the environment, and courteous flow helps maintain access for everyone. Leave-no-trace habits apply in winter too: pack out wrappers, tape, and skin-glue scraps, and avoid damaging vegetation near narrow switchbacks.
Why Choose Mont-Orford for Ski Touring?
Mont-Orford has become a favourite among Quebec skiers who crave the vibe of a mountain escape without committing to a full road trip. Roughly an hour and a half from Montreal, the protected forested expanse sits at the heart of the Eastern Townships, where rolling summits, frozen lakes, and dense evergreens give winter days a distinct charm. Since the mountain is inside the territory of the National Park, it’s as close as we can get to a retreat into untouched wilderness for a day of skiing and solitude.
The mountain offers a mix of forested ascents, open viewpoints, and varied pitches. Elevation changes feel steady rather than abrupt, making for smooth climbs, especially for skiers transitioning from resort-only days. Snow conditions can shift with weather patterns in the region, but that variability is part of the appeal.
Touring access is organized and straightforward, with designated areas that help maintain flow between uphill travellers and downhill guests. The local culture also plays a role: Orford has a friendly community of skiers who embrace the calm, social, and quietly athletic rhythm of touring. Whether you’re heading out solo, with friends, or trying your first ascent, the atmosphere makes it feel welcoming rather than intimidating.
Touring Routes & Local Tips at Mont-Orford
With 11 forested ascent trails and 11 alpine touring-accessible pistes, Mont-Orford has one of the most extensive touring networks in the region. The mountain offers a mix of gradual climbs, technical sections, and rewarding panoramic vistas. Whether you’re easing into the sport or looking for a bigger challenge, there’s a route that fits your pace and ambition.
Beginner to Intermediate: Le Renard + Tracé du Lynx
A favourite among Orford’s team, the Renard ascent feels quiet and secluded, with an eastern exposure that catches the sun through much of the day. It’s a route where you can settle into a steady rhythm and enjoy the sounds of the woods rather than the bustle of the ski area.
Connecting to the Tracé du Lynx adds a slightly more complex final stretch and leads to the summit of Mont Giroux, where views over Magog and Lake Memphrémagog make the climb worthwhile.
Intermediate to Advanced: L’Alouette
This 2.4-kilometre trail is renowned among Orford skiers as one of the best trails to immerse yourself in the park’s nature. In winter, the surrounding pine trees and landscape become snow-laden, muffling the world and leaving you with nothing but hushes of wind and warbling of winter birds.
It features enough inclines for those who like a little challenge, while still giving you those appreciative, reflective moments often found in the woods. You’ll eventually come up on a frozen lake, a great opportunity to snap a few pictures and pause and digest the tranquillity.
Expert-Only: La Campagnol
Reserved for experienced tourers, La Campagnol traverses the flank of the mountain and faces the back side of Orford—a unique viewpoint not visible from other routes. The terrain is steep in places and requires completing at least two other ascents to reach it, so planning and timing matter. Those who make the approach are rewarded with breathtaking sunset views and a sense of being far removed from the resort atmosphere.
Shelters and Transition Comfort
Orford has installed shelters at each summit, offering a place to adjust layers, change gear, or simply warm up before the descent. With temperatures often shifting rapidly at higher elevations, these small amenities make a big difference in comfort and confidence throughout the season.
A Note on Annual Touring Events
Mont-Orford hosts yearly alpine touring gatherings that bring the community together, from festive evening ascents to social meetups and multi-summit challenges. These events add energy to the season and offer a chance to meet other tourers, but the mountain remains just as enjoyable outside of organized dates.
Parking and Access Tips
Trail access points are well marked, and parking is straightforward, especially for early starts or weekday tours. Arriving ahead of peak resort hours ensures smoother transitions and a quieter ascent, while checking the mountain’s updates helps you choose the best starting area for the day’s conditions. Just make sure to purchase your tickets online beforehand to get access to the mountain.
If you don’t have a car or you’d rather leave the car at home, there are other options. Navette Nature, a shuttle service, can bring you from Montreal to Mont-Orford. It should be noted that this service has designated drop-offs, so be sure to check their website and plan accordingly.
Après-Ski: Local Charm of Magog & Orford Village
After a day of touring, the atmosphere in nearby Magog and Orford Village makes it easy to unwind.
Food and Drink
Cozy cafés offer a warm reset, including La Mie d’Orford, where fresh pastries and light meals provide an easy way to refuel before heading back out into the cold. If you’re looking for something more filling, Burger Pub (located at the foot of Mont-Orford) serves casual comfort food and burgers.
For those who prefer a slower evening, Bistro 4 Saisons boasts a more refined dining experience. Situated near the mountain, it features thoughtfully prepared dishes and a calm setting—perfectly paired after a full day playing in the snow.
Magog’s craft-beer scene also offers inviting options. Microbrasserie La Memphré and Microbrasserie des Cantons are both stellar places just a minute’s walk apart.
Accommodations
If you’re staying overnight, there are several places close to the mountain that make planning easy. Hotel Chéribourg is located only a few minutes from Mont-Orford and offers rooms and suites with views toward the surrounding landscape.
Estrimont, about six kilometres from the mountain, is a four-star resort with suites that include kitchenettes and access to on-site spa facilities.
For those who prefer a more intimate setting, Au Manoir de la rue Merry is a highly-rated bed-and-breakfast in the Magog–Orford area with a lodge-style atmosphere.
Activities
Beyond food and lodging, there are plenty of ways to keep the winter momentum going. Lakeside walks along the shoreline, cross-country ski networks, snowshoe loops winding through the forest, and outdoor skating rinks that feel especially magical after dark. It’s a gentle complement to touring, and a reminder that the Townships reward both movement and rest.
Get Ready for Your Quebec Ski Touring Season
Ski touring in Quebec offers a new way to experience winter. With a bit of preparation, a smart layering system, and some simple route planning, even first-time tourers can enjoy the rhythm of the ascent and the reward that follows. Mont-Orford is an ideal place to begin, with easy access, clear uphill routes, and a community that makes the sport feel inviting.
Whether you’re heading out for a single day, lingering for an après-ski evening, or exploring other mountains in the Townships, touring opens up a side of winter that feels both accessible and inspiring. And there’s no better moment to start planning your season.
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