Owl’s Head, QC, Report: One of the Best Views of Any East Coast Ski Resort

Owl's Head Lilly's Leap — Lilly’s Leap is, hands down, the most scenic trail on the mountain, with winding views that allow you to look south, east, and then north. | Credit: Liam Abbott

Report from Thursday, March 27th, 2025

The last few times I visited Owl’s Head in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, I was treated to overcast skies and falling snow. At most resorts, this would be the dream, and there would be no complaints, but I’ve been to Owl’s Head enough times to know that plentiful snow isn’t where this ski resort truly shines. Rather, it is its views that make this ski resort stand out and contend to be one of the most scenic ski resorts on the East Coast.

Quick Facts & History

Date Opened: 1964
Multi-Destination Pass: L’Est Go
Number of Trails: 51
Skiable Acres: 125
Vertical Drop: 1,771′
Base Elevation: 709′
Summit Elevation: 2,480′
Average Annual Snowfall: 122″
Terrain Breakdown:
- Beginner: 28%
- Intermediate: 34%
- Advanced: 16%
- Expert: 22%
Number of Lifts: 6
Night Skiing: no
Ownership: local group of investors
Other Activities:
- snowshoeing
- ski touring

Owl's Head Peak — In my opinion, this mountain doesn’t really look like an owl, but maybe I just don’t have the imagination. | Credit: Liam Abbott

What started as an overcast day, which was the remnant of a system that dropped about 2cm (1 inch) of snow on Owl’s Head overnight, quickly dissipated and turned into a true bluebird ski day. The sun was out, temperatures warmed, and snow softened into a near picture-perfect spring ski day. Besides the glades, Owl’s Head has managed to keep the vast majority of its terrain opening in near-perfect condition. Brown and bare were nonexistent, creating a stress-free spring ski day.

As I rode up the Summit Chair I posed the question to my friend—what ski resort on the East Coast has the most scenic views? Le Massif was a name that instantly came to mind that is pretty hard to beat. But other than that, Owl’s Head might very well be a close second. Whiteface is incredible, but the surroundings aren’t as intimate. Cannon would be a top contender in my books as well, but depending on which way you look that can sway my opinion very quickly.

Related: The 7 Most Beautiful Ski Areas in North America

But for Owl’s Head, it doesn’t matter which direction you set your gaze, there is something breathtaking to see.

The most prominent element of this incredible view is Lake Memphremagog. Running North to South on the skier’s right of the resort, many of the trails at Owl’s Head make you feel like you are going to drop off and fall right into this stunning body of water.

To the south of Owl’s Head, a bluebird day like when I visited presents pristine views of the Green Mountains of Vermont (most prominently Jay Peak) all the way over to the Franconia Notch and Cannon Mountain.

Owl's Head Jay Peak — Jay Peak feels so close to Owl’s Head. | Credit: Liam Abbott

To the North I enjoyed taking in sites of the still completely frozen-over Lake Memphremagog and Mont Orford past that.

Owl's Head Colorado — Colorado is one hell of a run. Double black diamond, groomed, stunning views of the lake, all easily accessible off the high-speed Summit Chair. It was definitely my favorite run on the mountain. | Credit: Liam Abbott

To the East is the backside of Mont Sutton and the rolling mountains of the Eastern Townships. With four ski resorts surrounding me in sight, I felt nestled in between two distinct but quintessential parts of East Coast ski culture: the northern tips of New Hampshire and Vermont and the sprawling ski province of Quebec.

Beside from my friend and I lapping full vertical runs all day, I think the only other people out skiing were at least 40 years older than us. But the dedicated retired skiers were out in force, and I was shocked to see an impressively bustling base area when I rolled up to the mountain right for first tracks at 9 a.m.

Owl's Head Panorama Chair Top — A view from the top of the Panorama Chair. The name of this lift says it all. | Credit: Liam Abbott

As the day went on skiers (and maybe one snowboarder) slowly dissipated and I was left with my thoughts and sun to soak up the afternoon.

As I grabbed my skis and left the mountain for the day just after 4 p.m., I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself when I saw the groomers constructing the pond skim right in front of the base lodge. While most northeast ski areas are struggling to muster up enough snow to construct such an event, pond skimmers at Owl’s Head this weekend will be challenged by a persistent cold front that could ice over the pond skim nicely.

As is the theme for all of my condition reports from this weekend, the ski season is not over on the East Coast yet, and you don’t have to suffer through brown streaked turns to continue enjoying the sport. As long as you know where to look.