Le Mont-Orford — destination plein air des Cantons-de-l'Est.
1. Mont-Orford National Park
The Mont-Orford National Park, run by Sépaq, is 15 minutes from downtown Magog.
It offers:
- Over 80 kilometres of hiking trails
- Beaches on Lake Stukely
- Camping areas
- 853-metre summit accessible by gondola or on foot
2. Mont-Orford Ski Resort
The Mont-Orford Ski Resort offers 64 runs of alpine skiing across three mountains. You can also do cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding.
A season pass is very worthwhile if you ski more than a few times each winter.
3. Other outdoor activities
Other places to explore:
- Sentier des Grands Espaces — along Lake Memphrémagog
- Mont-Bellevue Regional Park
- Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey — Benedictine monastery open to visitors
4. Sépaq fees and passes
Sépaq fees (2026):
- Adult day entry: ~$9
- Free for accompanied under-17s
- National Parks Annual Card: ~$84/adult, $168/family of 4
- Pays off from 9 visits
This pass gives access to ALL 27 national parks in Quebec, not just Mont-Orford:
- Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay
- Mont-Tremblant
- Bic (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
- Forillon (Gaspésie)
- 23 others
For Magog outdoor enthusiasts, the pass pays off in a few weeks.
Validity: 12 months from purchase, not by calendar year.
Buy online at sepaq.com or directly at the welcome centre of the park.
4bis. National park vs ski resort at a glance
Two adjacent but distinct entities share the Mont-Orford name. You need separate tickets for each entity.
Many Magog families buy both passes: the Sépaq card for hiking and cross-country skiing, plus the Station Mont-Orford pass for alpine skiing. If you don't do alpine skiing, the Sépaq card alone covers most activities at $168 for a family of 4.
| Criterion | Parc national Mont-Orford | Station Mont-Orford |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Sépaq (public) | Private company |
| Main activities | Hiking, camping, cross-country ski | 64 alpine ski runs |
| Adult day entry | ~$9 | $80 to $100 |
| Adult season pass | Annual card ~$84 | $800 to $1,200 |
| Family pass (4) | ~$168 | More expensive |
| Cross-country + snowshoe | Included in winter | ❌ Not included |
| Summer gondola | ❌ | ~$25 roundtrip |
| Covered by Sépaq card | ✅ | ❌ |
5. Seasonal activities and gear
Activities by season:
Summer (May to October):
- Hiking on 80 km of trails of all levels
- Swimming at Stukely and Fraser lake beaches
- Kayak/canoe: $30 to $50/day
- Mountain bike: $35 to $60/day
- Camping by reservation
- Summit gondola: ~$25/adult roundtrip
Fall (late September to mid-October):
- Spectacular foliage
- Tourist crowds — weekday visits recommended
Winter:
- Alpine and cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing, winter hiking
- Dog sledding (external operator)
Spring: the quietest season — some trails closed due to thaw.
Tip: bring your own gear when possible — repeated rentals become expensive quickly.
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on Mont-Orford: beginner trails, accessibility with children, and difference between national park and ski resort.
What are the best beginner trails at Mont-Orford?
Recommendations for beginners:
- Sentier de l'Étang (2 km, easy, accessible) — perfect first visit, gentle terrain, wooden boardwalks
- Sentier des Crêtes (3.4 km): small climb with rewarding views — for slightly fit beginners
- Sentier des Castors (1.2 km) — accessible to children
Avoid for beginners: Pic-de-l'Ours (12 km, difficult) — wait until you have experience.
Free maps at the visitor centre.
Allow 1.5x the indicated time for beginners, and bring water + snacks even on short hikes.
Is Mont-Orford accessible with young children?
Yes, very.
- Trails near the visitor centre: stroller-friendly around the lake
- Plage du lac Stukely: sand + shallow water — perfect for young children
- Sentier des Castors: short (1.2 km) and flat
Camping:
- Reservable family sites with playgrounds
Winter:
- Gondola: accommodates strollers
- Tube-sliding zone for kids
Free Junior naturalist activities by park rangers in summer.
Children's tickets: half-price or free for under 6.
Sépaq family annual pass at $168: includes 2 adults + all minor children — best value for active families.
What's the difference between the national park and the ski resort?
Two separate entities, adjacent:
- Parc national du Mont-Orford (Sépaq): hiking, summer, camping, free cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter
- Station Mont-Orford (private company): 64 alpine ski runs, summer gondola
They share parking and some infrastructure, but require separate tickets.
The Sépaq annual card covers the PARK but NOT the ski resort.
For alpine skiing, a Station Mont-Orford ticket or pass:
- Day: $80 to $100
- Season: $800 to $1,200
Many families have both passes: Sépaq for everything except alpine skiing.
7. See also
To go further on outdoors in Magog:
- Discover Lake Memphrémagog for summer swimming and kayaking.
- Read surviving Quebec winter to gear up before your first day at Mont-Orford.
- Compare ski hills with winter in Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships — Bromont, Sutton and Owl's Head within driving distance.
8. Official sources
Author's Note: The Mont-Orford pass + the Sépaq pass are the two best outdoor investments in Magog.
