We all know that the powder snow in Western Canada is legendary, from Whistler Blackcomb with over 200 kilometers of slopes to one of the largest ski resorts in North America, Lake Louise Ski Resort. But if you’re planning a ski trip closer to home, turn your attention to the East Coast. Eastern Canada’s mountains boast world-class terrain and a unique atmosphere with a distinct European flair that you won’t find anywhere else.
This will be a comprehensive list of Eastern Canada ski resorts, detailing each of these snow destinations to help you choose the perfect location for the 2025-2026 ski season.
Why Ski in Eastern Canada?
Why choose ski resorts in Canada East Coast over the Rockies? The answer lies in the differences between the two regions in terms of accessibility, terrain, and culture.
- Accessibility: Ski resorts in Eastern Canada are primarily concentrated in the Appalachian and Laurentian mountain ranges, meaning they are located near major cities such as Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax. This means less travel time and lower travel costs.
- More Affordable: Accommodations, lift tickets, and dining are often more budget-friendly than in the Rockies, even during peak season.
- Gentle Terrain: Ski resorts in Eastern Canada typically feature less steep terrain than the Rockies, with gentler, rolling slopes that are ideal for beginners and family-friendly. Meanwhile, Le Massif de Charlevoix or Mont Tremblant offer challenging runs for advanced skiers.
- Unique Cultural Atmosphere: Here, you’ll also find distinctive cultural charm, such as the French-style villages and cozy cabins found at Quebec’s resorts.
Best Ski Resorts in Canada East Coast
Eastern Canada’s ski resorts are primarily concentrated in Quebec, home to the most densely clustered areas and largest mountain ranges. Beyond this, hidden gems exist in other regions. The following list provides a comprehensive overview of ski areas in Eastern Canada.
- Mont Tremblant, Quebec
- Le Massif de Charlevoix, Quebec
- Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec
- Stoneham Mountain Resort, Quebec
- Sommet Saint Sauveur, Quebec
- Mont-Orford, Quebec
- Ski Wentworth, Nova Scotia
- Marble Mountain Resort, Newfoundland & Labrador
1. Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Tremblant is widely regarded as the best skiing in Eastern Canada. The drive from Montreal takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. You can choose to take the scheduled shuttle service operated by Mont-Tremblant Shuttle. Alternatively, you can fly domestically to Mont Tremblant International Airport, located near the resort. Situated in the Laurentian Mountains, it’s a globally recognized, full-service resort modeled after European alpine villages. Its pedestrian village, with colorful buildings and endless dining and shopping options, makes it a true destination for families and couples alike.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 102
- Total Slopes Length: 81.9Km
- Lifts: 14
- Vertical Drop:645 meters (2,116 feet)
- Terrain Parks: 3
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: November 27, 2025
- End Date: April 19, 2026
- Ticket Prices: Prices for the 2025–26 ski season are subject to change. If you purchase a 2–7 day pass before November 27, prices start at $105 CAD. Canadian residents can purchase the Nordik Card for $83 CAD per day. Tremblant is also part of the Ikon Pass network, which can offer significant value if you plan to visit multiple days or resorts.
What It Offers: It provides a huge variety of runs catering to all skill levels, from the wide, gentle slopes on the South Side perfect for beginners, to the steep, challenging glades on the North Side favored by experts. The resort offers extensive snowmaking capabilities, ensuring consistent conditions. For services, you have a massive selection of ski-in and ski-out lodging, a renowned Snow School for lessons, and equipment rental shops right in the village.
2. Le Massif de Charlevoix, Quebec
Just 70 kilometers from Quebec City, Le Massif de Charlevoix is a 1.5-hour ride away via the Le Massif Shuttle. Skiing here offers scenic views of the river, with the summit overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Le Massif also features the largest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies and the highest point in Eastern Canada.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 53
- Lifts: 8
- Vertical Drop:770 meters (2,526 feet)
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: December 6, 2025
- End Date: April 12, 2026
- Ticket Prices: You can access it with an Ikon Pass or purchase Multi-Day Passes directly, starting at $110 CAD for adults.
What It Offers: Le Massif is an exceptional destination for intermediate and expert skiers seeking a challenge. It boasts one of North America’s longest toboggan runs, stretching 7.5 kilometers. The resort also offers a variety of activities including sledding and alpine touring.
3. Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec
Mont-Sainte-Anne is closer to Quebec City, just a 40-minute drive away, and also offers shuttle service between the two locations. As another major ski resort in the Laurentian Mountains, it is a beloved family destination due to its extensive trails and accessibility.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 71
- Lifts: 13
- Vertical Drop:625 meters (2,050 feet)
- Night Skiing: Over 19 trails are lit for night use.
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: December 6, 2025
- End Date: April 19, 2026
- Ticket Prices: Mont-Sainte-Anne offers day passes, night passes, half-day passes, and lift passes, with prices ranging from $45 to $145 CAD.
What It Offers: Mont-Sainte-Anne caters exceptionally well to families and all-mountain cruisers. The South Side offers long, winding trails, while the North Side has steeper, more challenging runs for advanced skiers. Beyond alpine skiing, the resort boasts one of North America’s premier cross-country ski centers, with over 200 km of trails.
4. Stoneham Mountain Resort, Quebec
Stoneham Mountain Resort is located north of Quebec City, just a 30-minute drive away. Guests can book shuttle services through the official website. Offering night skiing, a prime location, and significant vertical drop, it’s popular with locals and snowboarders.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 43
- Lifts: 6
- Vertical Drop:420 meters (1,378 feet)
- Night Skiing: Offer 19 trails are lit for night use.
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: December 6, 2025
- End Date: April 6, 2026
- Ticket Prices: Stoneham also offers day passes, half-day passes, night passes, and all-day passes, with adult prices ranging from $45 to $100 CAD.
What It Offers: Stoneham’s night skiing operations are among the largest in Eastern Canada, featuring an Olympic-sized halfpipe and three separate terrain parks to cater to freestyle skiing. In addition to professional facilities, the resort offers recreational amenities such as a snow play area.
5. Sommet Saint Sauveur, Quebec
Summit Saint-Sauveur is only an hour’s drive from Montreal. You can also take the bus to Saint-Sauveur, which takes 1.5 hours. This ski resort has the longest ski season in Quebec and is typically the first to open. Thanks to its reliable snowmaking system, it guarantees an extended skiing season.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 42
- Vertical Drop:213 meters (699 feet)
- Night Skiing: The biggest night-skiing area in North America, with 30 illuminated trails for the 2025-2026 season.
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: November 14, 2025
- End Date: May 18, 2026
- Ticket Prices: As part of the Les Sommets group, they offer a range of passes that cover five different mountains. The adult price for the all-mountain pass ranges from $739 to $999 CAD.
What It Offers: Saint Sauveur excels at family entertainment. Besides the reliable snow and long season, it features a unique night experience, “L’Odyssée du Viking,” a four-season mountain coaster that transforms after dark with light projections. For beginners and families, the improved Sommet Express lift system and the completely redesigned SnoPrk on the Versant Avila trail make the experience smoother and more fun.
6. Mont-Orford, Quebec
Mont-Orford is a 1.5-hour drive from Montreal, and shuttle buses to the ski resort can be booked in advance. Located in the rural eastern region of Quebec, it offers a more rustic atmosphere and features three distinct mountain ranges. Compared to major resorts, it attracts fewer crowds.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 61
- Vertical Drop:589 meters (1,933 feet)
- Terrain Parks: 3
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: December 6, 2025
- End Date: Late April 2026
- Ticket Prices: Mont-Orford offers daily tickets, season passes, and multi-visit cards. Daily ticket prices range from $72-90 CAD.
What It Offers: The mountain is split between Mont-Orford, Mont-Giroux, and Mont-Alfred-Desrochers, each offering a different feel. Orford is known for its wide, long cruisers, while Giroux offers more challenging steep slopes and glades. If you are into backcountry or alpine touring, this is one that truly supports it, with designated ascent trails, though be aware that some trails cross into the adjacent Sépaq National Park, requiring an additional park pass.
7. Ski Wentworth, Nova Scotia
Moving out of Quebec and into the Maritimes, Ski Wentworth is the premier location for skiing in Canada East Coast, specifically in Nova Scotia. Ski Wentworth is about a 2-hour drive from Halifax, or you can take the train to Truro and then continue onward. While smaller in scale than the Quebec giants, it is a hub for winter sports in the region and offers surprisingly challenging terrain for its vertical.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 25
- Vertical Drop:238 meters (815 feet)
- Lifts: 8
- Longest Ski Run: 3.7 km (2.3 miles)
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: November 15, 2025
- End Date: Late April 2026
- Ticket Prices: Ski Wentworth offers lift tickets and season passes at more affordable prices compared to Quebec’s ski resorts. Adult lift tickets range from $45-60 CAD, while season passes cost $595 CAD.
What It Offers: Ski Wentworth is the largest and most well-equipped ski area in the Maritimes, making it a critical choice for local skiers. It boasts good variety, with trails ranging from beginner to double black diamond. Beyond traditional alpine skiing, the resort also features a terrain park, moguls sites, and $10 km of cross-country trails.
8. Marble Mountain Resort, Newfoundland & Labrador
Marble Mountain Resort is located on the west coast of Newfoundland, just a 20-minute drive from Corner Brook. As one of Atlantic Canada’s steepest ski resorts, Marble Mountain offers a rugged, big-mountain experience with breathtaking views of the Humber Valley.
The Mountain Specs
- Total Trails: 39
- Vertical Drop:520 meters (1,706 feet)
- Lifts: 5
- Snow Conditions: Up to 5 meters (16 feet) of annual snowfall
25-26 Ski Season
- Start Date: Mid-December 2025
- End Date: Late March 2026
- Ticket Prices: Ticket prices are generally lower than those at major ski resorts in Quebec. Adult day passes cost $59 CAD, while half-day passes are priced at $49 CAD.
What It Offers: The terrain of Marble Mountain is highly varied, with plenty of intermediate cruising runs and some fantastic double black diamonds that will test even seasoned skiers. Marble is particularly renowned for its glade skiing and the deep, natural snowpack that makes for exceptional powder days. And equipped with the Lightning Express, enabling skiers to quickly ascend the mountain.
Practical Tips for Ski Trips
Planning a trip to these eastern ski resorts isn’t difficult, but a few practical tips can make your adventure even more enjoyable.
Best Time to Visit
- The Peak Snow Window: Generally, the best snow conditions occur from mid-January through mid-March. January and February are the coldest months, often bringing the deepest powder and firm base conditions. This is typically the ideal time to visit Canada ski resorts east coast.
- Best Value: Visiting in early to mid-December or late March through early April is typically more affordable, and you’ll encounter fewer crowds. By March, temperatures become milder, though snow conditions may vary.
- Avoid the Crowds: Try to steer clear of the two major school holiday periods, the Christmas and New Year holiday week and the “March break” or “spring break” week in mid-February and early March, as lift lines are longest and prices are highest during these times.
How to Get Around the Ski Resort
Unlike some large western resorts, most ski resorts in eastern Canada do not require internal transportation.
- Tremblant: The village is pedestrian-only and easily navigated on foot. A free gondola connects the upper and lower sections of the resort base.
- Quebec City Mountain Ski Resorts: Resorts such as Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham require driving or taking a shuttle from Quebec City to reach the mountains. However, once there, the base areas are compact and easily accessible.
- Atlantic Canada: You will definitely need a rental car to reach Ski Wentworth or Marble Mountain and travel between the accommodations and the slopes.
What to Pack
- Essential Ski Clothing: This includes moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid layers, and waterproof, windproof ski jackets and pants.
- Appropriate Accessories: High-quality wool or synthetic ski socks, insulated waterproof gloves, a good balaclava or face mask, goggles, and a ski helmet.
- Ski Equipment: Skis, poles, ski boots, and bindings
- Other: Personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm, water bottles, and protein bars. Plus a compact bag for carrying essentials on the slopes.
How to Save Money
Advance Online Booking: Booking in advance on the resort’s official website typically saves you 15-30% on the day.
- Midweek Skiing: Weekdays are always cheaper than weekends and less crowded.
- Choose a Pass Program: If you plan on skiing at multiple mountains, look into passes like the Ikon Pass, which includes Tremblant and Le Massif or local regional passes offered by resort groups like Les Sommets. These typically pay for themselves after just a few days of use.
- Rentals Off-Site: Renting equipment in a town outside the main resort village is often significantly cheaper.
- Choose Nearby Accommodations: Opting for lodging in nearby towns offers significantly lower rates than accommodations provided directly at the ski resort.
FAQ
Is there skiing in Eastern Canada?
Absolutely. Eastern Canada is home to world-class ski resorts, particularly in the Laurentian and Appalachian mountain ranges within Quebec.
What is the largest ski resort in East Canada?
By total slope length, Mont Tremblant is considered the largest ski resort in Eastern Canada, boasting 81.9 km of trails. However, Le Massif de Charlevoix holds the title for the greatest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies.
What are the big three ski resorts in Canada?
The “Big Three” in Canada usually refers to the Western resorts in Alberta: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay, collectively known as the SkiBig3, all located in Banff National Park.
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