Antoine Mountain

The ski industry boom of the 1960s and '70s in North America allowed small facilities like the Mount Antoine resort to expand in size and popularity. Sometimes, that growth is too quick, and the ski area closed to the public in the early 2000s. Like a phoenix from the ashes, the Antoine Mountain resort has reopened, providing downhill skiing and riding just north of Mattawa, Ontario.

Motorists can use Trans-Canada Highway 17 into town before switching to Highway 533 north. The winter venue is off of Highway 656, along the west banks of the Ottawa River. Ottawa's Macdonald - Cartier International Airport is the closest large facility for flying into the Province.

Baby Steps on the Big Mountain

Between the 2000 closing and reopening for the 2015 ski season, the Antoine Mountain ski resort had several upgrades to buildings and equipment on the slope. A new 7,500 square foot chalet provides a lounge area and kitchen. It offers guests a place to meet up and refuel between runs down the slopes.

The new building also has 3,500 square feet of retail and rentals. Brands offered for rental include Rossignol skis and Burton snowboards. Guests will need to find lodging accommodations off-site, but that should not be a problem with several local businesses offering rooms in the surrounding area.

The Antoine Mountain ski area has upgraded support structures and maintenance gear. New groomers, a tractor, and support equipment help create the corduroy ridge pattern that visitors love to ski and ride. A new Snow School building offers a full palette of lessons. First-timers, private, adult groups, and groups for any age book ahead of time to ensure class size and instructor availability. The Antoine Mountain ski area also offers "Tour the Terrain" for groups of kids up to 15 and expert level sessions for skiers and snowboarders wanting to up their game.

Enjoy the Slopes Three Days a Week

The Antoine Mountain ski resort opens sometime in December and goes until conditions force it to close. Tickets are available for daytime skiing and riding (sorry, night owls) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Average annual snowfall amounts in the area reach 84 inches, and high temperatures in January/February hover around -7 Celcius. The winter venue does have snowmaking capabilities on about half the property, helping to improve under guests' boards and skis.

Antoine Mountain has a base elevation near 520 feet and a summit height of 1,150 feet. A 630-foot vertical drop provides the momentum skiers and snowboarders need to carve down the runs on the mountain. Cutting fresh tracks is possible here, especially with the additional grooming equipment (watch for death cookies after really cold nights, though).

The Antoine Mountain has 15 groomed runs to choose from, including the longest run in the Province. Five green-rated trails offer plenty for newbies and casuals to explore, while five alpine runs have blue ratings to challenge intermediates. Antoine Mountain has three black diamond trails and two double black diamond runs for more skilled ski bums to tackle. A new quad chair and a handle tow keep guests moving uphill.