HITTING THE SLOPES

Distance from Downtown ottawa: 35 minutes Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price: $28 full-day; $21 night ski nigHt skiing: 6 nights a week on 13 runs snowPark: Modest snowpark elevation: 410 feet number of runs: 17 runs best feature: Vorlage is best known for its family-friendly ski hills, with ample beginner runs to get the kids some fresh air and offers a challenge for intermediate skiers.

Lots of snow makes for great skiing

Ottawa might be known for its political ups and downs, but that's about the only verticality in sight. That means if you're hoping to tackle any mean slopes, you'll have to head out of Ottawa and into the land of the Quebecois. With five ski resorts within an hour and a half from downtown Ottawa, there's a ski-cation ideal for every skier from beginner to advanced.

SkI VOrLaGE

Distance from Downtown ottawa: 1 hour, 30 minutes Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 7 days a week Price: $39 full-day; $33 half-day nigHt skiing: No. snowPark: No, but offers public ski cross run with rollers and banked turns elevation: 1,250 feet number of runs: 20 runs best feature: Although the furthest from Ottawa, Ste. Marie can brag about the highest elevation and longest runs in the region.

mONT STE. marIE

Distance from Downtown ottawa: 30 minutes Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Price: $35 full-day; $33 night ski nigHt skiing: 7 nights a week snowPark: Renowned MSS SNOPRK (vowels optional) elevation: 656 feet number of runs: 18 trails best feature: Newly revamped in 2010, it boasts arguably the best snowpark in Ottawa-Gatineau area with inner tube sliding for the kids.

EdELwEISS

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CamP FOrTuNE

Distance from Downtown ottawa: 35 minutes Hours: Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to midnight; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Price: $37 full-day; $33 night ski nigHt skiing: 15 runs snowPark: Yes. elevation: 1,000 feet number of runs: 20 runs best feature: Mont Cascades is open the latest on Friday nights to take in the most runs leading into the weekend.

mONT CaSCadES

Distance from Downtown ottawa: 15 minutes Hours: Open 7 days a week; Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price: $37.40 full-day; $28.70 night ski nigHt skiing: Yes. snowPark: Full terrain park with indoor skate park elevation: 590 feet number of runs: 23 runs with 7 ski lifts best feature: As the closest ski hill to Ottawa, you can make it to Fortune after work before your coffee even gets cold. Two-for-one ski passes for date nights Tuesdays and Saturdays.

PHOTO GaLLEry
ottawasun.com/ skislopes
GOOGLE MAPS TONY CALDWELL/OTTAWA SUN