Owl's Head 2/21/2023

NewEnglandSkier13

We skied at Owl's Head to end our short trip to Quebec. Conditions were frozen and loose granular with many trails starting to get scraped off in the afternoon. Ungroomed terrain was frozen solid, and some of the steepest glades and natural trails were closed because of this. The Panorama Quad was having electrical issues, so it did not open, but the three other quads were open. Temperatures started in the teens, but were in the twenties and thirties for most of the day, with sunny to partly cloudy skies. Glades and natural trails had some thin areas, but all snowmaking trails had excellent coverage.

This was my third time at Owl's Head, and it remains one of my favorite larger resorts to ski at. The terrain is very comparable to Jay Peak, which is located just on the other side of the border, except that Owl's Head is cheaper and has a more efficient lift system. The upper mountain has some extremely steep terrain, including a trail called Colorado, which is one of the steepest groomed runs I've ever seen. The lower portion of the mountain has lots of intermediate and novice terrain, and there are many glades scattered around the mountain. It is also one of the most scenic mountains I've skied, with stunning views on seemingly almost every trail. Lake Memphremagog dominates the view from many places on the mountain, and other ski resorts, such as Jay Peak and Mont Orford, can also be seen. If you enjoy the size and terrain of Jay Peak, but don't like the prices, crowds, or lifts, try driving the extra ten minutes to Owl's Head, it's worth it!

The upper mountain from the base lodge

Family Quad

Winker & the Family Quad

The base lodge

The summit quad with one of its two portal towers

Centennial with Jay Peak in the distance

Centennial

Upward Trail & the Lake Quad

The base of the Lake Quad

Chouette & the Panorama Quad

The Lake Quad

Skibou Glade

Lake View

Kamikazee & the Summit Quad

Shady Lady & the Blue Double

Kandahar Glade

Lily's Leap

Colorado

L'urubu Glade

TomWhite

Thanks Sam. Even in the photo Colorado looks steep (and long). What would you compare it to stateside further south?

NewEnglandSkier13

TomWhite;c-59662 wroteThanks Sam. Even in the photo Colorado looks steep (and long). What would you compare it to stateside further south?

I don't think Jay has a trail actually called Stateside. Are you thinking of Can Am or Jet maybe?

TomWhite

"Stateside" meaning USA. Just other trails we would know closer to many of us.

NewEnglandSkier13

TomWhite;c-59668 wrote"Stateside" meaning USA. Just other trails we would know closer to many of us.

My bad, I assumed you were talking about the Stateside area at Jay! :D

The closest thing that I can think of in the US that would compare is maybe White Heat, but longer and steeper. I can't think of anything that I've skied in New England which is that steep and groomed.

TomWhite

Wow, impressive n obviously with snowmaking coverage.

NewEnglandSkier13

TomWhite;c-59671 wroteWow, impressive n obviously with snowmaking coverage.

Yes, it seems like it takes a lot of snow to get open! And grooming must be interesting. They have an anchor point for the winch cat in the bedrock cliff at the summit.

ciscokid

Very nice Sam!

snowphoenix

Nice report! Looks like a great place to ski. That Colorado trail seems fun; I bet you can get some serious speed on it.

skelley19

How is the traffic at the border crossing each way? Looks like a fun mountain and anything resembling Jay is a huge plus in my book.

NewEnglandSkier13

skelley19;c-59681 wroteHow is the traffic at the border crossing each way? Looks like a fun mountain and anything resembling Jay is a huge plus in my book.

No traffic to speak of. The border crossing takes less than 2 minutes total. We crossed in to Quebec at the Abercorn crossing and back into the US at the Coburn Gore crossing. There were no other cars in sight either time, which is what we've found is usually the case for crossing the border.

NELSAP

The Highwater/N. Troy one is also quite fast. We were up there in Jan at Bromont, crossed back that way to go stay at the inlaws in Newport. They asked what we were doing there and bringing back. Super fast.

This past summer we crossed at the Derby Line crossing from Rte 55-91. "What are you bringing back to the US?". We told them "3 packages of pate, french bread, 6 cans of craft beer, and a bottle of rosé." The guard laughed, said "you guys are good!" and we went right on through.