Vorlage

Local skiers and snowboarders north of Gatineau, Quebec, have several smaller venues that provide alpine fun day and night, including the Vorlage ski hill. Since its opening in 1941, the winter venue has catered to the needs of casual skiers in a family-friendly atmosphere. Many visitors use the ski area as a quick getaway or a place to learn and practice before heading to big ski resorts.

Drivers from Ottawa, Ontario, or Gatineau will use Autoroute 5 to move north towards Wakefield and the resort along the western banks of the Gatineau River. Americans will drive north from New York state into Ontario before entering Quebec across the Ottawa River. The Ottawa International Airport handles most air traffic coming into this part of the Province.

A Typical Suburbian Affair

The Vorlage ski hill is similar to many of the midwestern winter resorts in that it offers day and night skiing and riding in a smaller setting. That also means lodging will be available off-site, in Wakefield, or other communities. A day lodge serves as the activity hub at the ski area, containing most guest services and amenities.

The cafeteria offers drinks and food for the family, refueling everybody before heading back uphill. Those looking for drinks and a place to relax will find the lounge & bar a good fit. It also serves up pub-style foods and makes a good meeting point for groups that become scattered on the hill. Guests looking for more extravagant dining will need to look off-site, with several eateries in Wakefield offering different dining experiences.

The boutique at the Vorlage ski hill sells accessories, clothing items, and slope essentials. It is here (and the snow school) where guests can buy lift tickets. The snow school offers private lessons and several programs for juniors and adults. These break down into skill levels of first-timers, novice, intermediates, and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The T.A. Program for Instructor's assistants and C.S.I.A./C.A.S. Instructor Certification Program is a good way for park bums to advance their skills and give back to the Vorlage ski hill community.

A separate Admin/Rental building houses the rental shop where guests can get skiing and snowboarding equipment. It is also home to the Vorlage ski hill tune-up and repair center. The locker building offers seasonal storage, which local skiers and riders like to use for their convenience.

By the Numbers

The Vorlage ski hill has a base elevation of 361 feet and a top elevation of 787 feet. That creates the 427-foot vertical drop at the winter venue. Guests have approximately 80 acres of terrain to explore, including 18 runs and a terrain park. Night skiing and riding are available on 13 of those alpine trails.

The Vorlage ski hill offers beginners three runs rated as green, while experienced skiers and riders have ten blue-rated runs to explore. Four alpine trails rate as black diamond for advanced skill sets, and expert ski bums can try out the double black diamond run. Five lifts, including a T-Bar and a magic carpet, move guests uphill at the Vorlage ski area, which does not experience waiting times.