Ski Resorts Near Ottawa | Escape to the Slopes for a Winter Weekend Getaway

Drive into the heart of the Ottawa Valley about an hour and half west of the capital, and you’ll find cozy hideaway Calabogie Peaks Ski Resort. Billed as the public ski hill with the highest vertical drop in Ontario, Calabogie Peaks also draws snow worshippers to its snowshoeing, hiking and skating activities all winter long.

The rustic Canadian décor fits right in with the resort’s natural setting – snuggle down in snow-white sheets while large windows let the outdoors stream in. With 25 rooms built directly on the slopes, you can ski-in and ski-out right from your own door! Or if skiing isn’t your thing, you can rent a pair of skates and take a twirl on the frozen pond of nearby Calabogie Lake. For a truly Canadian experience, grab a puck and a stick and rustle up some competition. End your day with a luxurious soak in the outdoor hot tub or a leisurely swim in the indoor pool.

If you’re looking for the après-ski scene, head to Black Donald’s Pub, the pirate-themed taproom with prime mountain views through 25-foot-tall windows. Enjoy local entertainment while noshing on pub fare, and if the ski day hasn’t tired you out, hit the dance floor! Or for some of the valley’s best craft beer and locally sourced food like mushroom barely risotto or pan-seared trout, check out Canthooks Restaurant. The fireside dining and family-like hospitality are a homey way to wind down and warm up after a thrilling day outside.

If it’s cross-country skiing you crave, Fairmont Le Château Montebello is the ideal locale. About an hour’s drive northeast of Ottawa in the Québécois village of Montebello on the Ottawa River, this 90-year-old resort is said to be the world’s largest log cabin. Gather around the unique three-storey octagonal lobby centered around a gigantic stone fireplace, the heart of the resort. With the fire blazing, you can plan your ski route, warm your toes, enjoy a drink or play a board game – there are plenty on-site to borrow.

All levels of skiers are welcome on the resort’s 42 kilometres of groomed trails, and you can rent your equipment right on-site. You’ll want to try out the many other outdoor activities, too, like ultra-Canadian dogsledding, ice skating, snowmobiling, tubing or curling, with instructors ready and willing to teach you how to “hurry hard.” If you’d rather steer clear of the cold, take the underground tunnel to the heated 75-foot swimming pool, set in an oh-so-Instagrammable wood-framed outbuilding. After your dip, head to the spa for a maple sugar body scrub or a customized facial.

The resort’s 211 luxury rooms are undergoing some renovations in 2019, but their overall aesthetic will be a modern take on the traditional log cabin, with accessories and decorations to reflect the area’s sports and wilderness. “Regional” is also the theme at the exquisite Aux Chantignoles restaurant, winner of the 2018 Diners’ Choice Award by Open Table. Stop in for delicate oysters Beausoleil, Nova Scotia halibut and four kinds of steak.

The historic and quaint Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa is less than a 10-minute drive from two challenging ski hills, Ski Volage and Sommet Edelweiss, and rests on the doorstep of some of the best cross-country skiing in the Ottawa area. Set in the Quebec village of Wakefield in the Gatineau Park just 30 minutes northwest of Ottawa, the hotel is an inviting mix of modern and historic, luxurious and rustic. Originally built as a flour mill in 1838, the building was re-purposed in 1980 as a country inn and spa. Exposed stone walls, heavy wooden beams and the rushing MacLaren Falls on the Gatineau River are constant reminders of the hotel’s rich past.

Choose a room in the Heritage Mill building if you’re looking for historic touches, such as original mill flooring, with an ample dose of luxury. Or 200 feet away, the Eco River Lodge will give you epic picture-window views from spacious rooms – we recommend taking in the sight from your deep soaker tub or with a spot of room service in bed. Or if you prefer to dine out, the on-site Muse restaurant overlooking the waterfalls will satisfy any desires for French and Québécois cuisine, with dishes like duck Magret, lobster bisque and a local cheese plate.

After taking full advantage of all that Gatineau Park has to offer in winter – be it skiing, snowshoeing, hiking or even snow biking – you’ll be ready to sink into one of the two outdoor hot tubs as dusk (and snow) falls. Alternatively, book a treatment at the Spa Eau Vive – the coconut and mango hydrating cocoon treatment gives a tiny taste of the Caribbean through scent, while the blueberry soy body slimming treatment is ideal for relieving sore muscles.

If you want to be in the middle of the action, Sommet des Neiges is the place to be. Easily accessible by highway, this elegant hotel is in the heart of the Mont Tremblant pedestrian village and just steps from shops, restaurants and the panoramic gondola.

When you arrive, defrost in front of the fireplace in the welcoming lobby. Then discover your newly renovated room – some with fireplaces and private balconies – and take in a view of the ski hill or the bustling village. You can choose to cook and eat in your own kitchen, or visit one of the many restaurants in the village. The charming La Maison de la Crêpe is a local gem loved by kids and adults alike, and allows you to customize your crêpe with a menu of meats, cheeses, sauces or fruits.

Skiing is the main focus at Mont Tremblant, and direct access to the slopes and complementary ski storage at the hotel make it simple to get out there. Zoom down any of the 102 different runs, kept at ideal conditions by one of the most extensive snow-making systems in North America. On an off-day, retreat to the steamy outdoor hot tubs – extra special during soft snowfalls – to soak in warm luxury amid the snow and ice. Indoors, you’ll find the sauna for relieving any remaining stresses from your muscles. Before you know it, you’ll be ready for another day of downhill or cross-country skiing, hiking, snowmobiling or skating.

Hotel Mont Blanc combines the charm and intimacy of a country inn with the amenities of a full ski resort to make it a firm family favourite. In the adorable Laurentian village of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré, the hotel started as a rustic bunkhouse for student skiers in the 1960s. Family-owned and run for over 40 years, the hotel’s point of pride is offering personalized touches not always found at bigger resorts or chains. If you’re coming with a group, consider booking a Hotel Classique room to sleep slope-side, or a Hotel Suite so you can spread out comfortably on antique furnishings in front of the fireplace.

Families with young kids can take advantage of youngster ski lessons, or enroll the wee ones in the hotel’s fully supervised daycare program so you can slot in a full day of hardcore skiing. There’s also a four-storey indoor play park, Le Jungle Magique, to burn off any extra kiddo energy before the après-ski snacks begin. For the grownups, there’s an indoor pool and steaming hot tubs for soothing any aches from the ski hill (or parenting). Finish off your circuit with a detoxifying steam bath and visit to the sauna.

After working up an appetite in the chilly outdoors or steamy indoor option, grab a fireside spot at Igloo Bar. You can check out other skiers on the slopes while enjoying regional cuisine, beverages and live entertainment in this restaurant styled like a classic ski lodge.

City slickers with a passion for skiing can have the best of both worlds at the Fairmont Château Laurier. In the heart of the city, this grand stop with over 400 rooms has welcomed politicians and entertainment stars to Canada’s capital for more than 100 years. Start your stay with a splash in the 60-foot-long art deco swimming pool, and if a swim and a workout in the place’s full gym don’t leave you relaxed, you can book a Swedish massage or neuromuscular therapy at the on-site spa. Once your body’s ready to take on the great outdoors, the closest ski hill – Gatineau Park’s Camp Fortune – is less than 30 minutes away.

Built in the style of a French castle (which looks great against the nearby Parliament buildings), Château Laurier is not just impressive from the outside. Take a minute to admire the two-storey lobby, with its austere statues, twinkling candelabras and polished chandeliers that evoke the glamour of days gone by. The old-world charm continues in your elegant room, though modern amenities will keep you comfortably in the age of technology. Settle down at your work desk (prepped with extra outlets and charging stations) to take care of some last-minute business, or just chill out with a show on your high-def TV.

For the ultimate Québécois foodie experience, try a local charcuterie board and a bowl of gourmet poutine from Zoe’s lounge, where you’ll dine surrounded by original Yousuf Karsh photos and a marble bar. Or if you’ve got your fancy pants on, head to award-winning Wilfrid’s for mouthwatering regional fare like veal osso buco with saffron risotto and gremolata.