Want to go downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, fat biking or forest skating near Ottawa this winter? Plan ahead and you could save money on passes and bookings at sites across Ontario, Quebec and New York state. Here are some of the offers you might be interested in catching before they’re gone.
Black Friday deals at Parc Omega
You can get 50 per cent off day tickets at Parc Omega—a popular drive-through animal reserve in Montebello, Quebec—during the site’s Black Friday sale from November 15 to November 28. Note that these Black Friday tickets can be used on the following dates only: November 15, 2022, to February 24, 2023; March 21 to May 31, 2023; and October 30 to December 31, 2023.
Save on ski passes at Mont Tremblant
Until Tuesday, November 22, you can buy a Latitude Card that lets you enjoy three or four days of downhill skiing at Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians for $86 a day—savings of up to 33 per cent. You’ll also get a 15 per cent discount on additional skiing days.
Early-bird winter season passes to Gatineau Park
Until Thursday, November 30, season passes for winter activities in Gatineau Park are available at pre-sale prices. Pre-sale prices for snowshoeing and snow biking only are $41.39 for youth (aged 13 to 17), $47.14 for students (aged 18 and up) and seniors (aged 60 and up), $56.34 for adults (aged 18 to 59), and $148.32 for a family (maximum of two adults and three youths).
Pre-sale prices for passes that include cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoeing and snow biking, are $102.33 for youth, $117.27 for students and seniors, $186.26 for adults and $421.96 for a family.
P.S.: Did you know that you can borrow day passes to Gatineau Park for free from libraries throughout the National Capital Region? The NCC website I’ve linked to above has details.
Even non-discounted passes can be a deal
If you visit a site frequently, look into the value you’ll gain by getting a season pass instead of day tickets. The more you go, the more you’ll save! Here are just a few examples. (Note that the lowest prices for ski hills are often for weekday, nighttime or short-term visits.)
- At the RiverOak Skate Trail on Ottawa’s southeastern edge, an adult season pass is $62, while an adult day pass is $17.
- At the Patinage de fôret skate trail in Lac-des-Loups, Quebec, adult day tickets are $18 and an adult season pass is $98.
- At Camp Fortune ski hill in Chelsea, Quebec, adult lift tickets start at $41 and regularly priced adult season passes start at $329.
- At Mont Cascades ski hill in Cantley, Quebec, adult lift tickets start at $35 and all-ages season passes start at $199.
Free winter fun in and around Ottawa
You don’t need a pass of any sort to enjoy these winter facilities (although some do encourage donations, and that’s a great thing to do if you can). Learn about them now, so you’ll be ready when the snow flies! (P.S.: These are just a few of the many free things you can do in and around Ottawa to get outdoors in the winter.)
- The Rideau Canal Skateway: The groomed surface of the world’s largest skating rink stretches 7.8 kilometres from the National Arts Centre to the Hartwell Locks.
- Rink of Dreams: This free, refrigerated skating rink at Ottawa City Hall is usually open from early morning until late evening.
- Skating Court, Lansdowne Park: Here’s another free, refrigerated rink in Ottawa’s central core.
- Kìchì Sìbì Winter Trail: This looping multi-use route includes 18 kilometres of trails on the south side of the Ottawa River, between the Canadian War Museum and Westboro. There is one set of trails for cross-country skiing and another for snowshoeing, fat biking and walking.
- Rideau Winter Trail: This nine-kilometre cross-country trail meanders along the east and south shores of the Rideau River from Vanier to Billings Bridge.
- Ski Heritage East: Despite its name, parts of this 17-kilometre trail are open to snowshoers and others, as well as cross-country skiers. It connects Rothwell Heights to Orleans in Ottawa’s east end, along the Ottawa River shore.
For other winter fun inspiration, check out my posts about skate trails and easy winter hiking trails. And if you’d like to soak in an outdoor hot tub after (or instead of!) all that brisk exercise, here’s my guide to Quebec Nordic-style spas.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.