The Skiers' Guide to Camp Fortune

Camp Fortune is a compact yet varied ski resort located just 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa in Chelsea, Quebec. Despite its modest size, this hidden gem offers plenty for skiers of all levels, making it a popular choice for local riders seeking quick access to the slopes.

The resort spans three distinct peaks, providing a surprisingly diverse terrain on what's effectively "a big hill," as one Snomad user describes it. With an elevation that tops out at 198.12m and a base at just 7.01m, Camp Fortune makes the most of its 191m vertical drop through a well-designed network of 23 runs.

Our community gives Camp Fortune an overall rating of 3.81/5, with particularly strong scores for family friendliness (4.59/5), groomed runs (4.12/5) and ski school quality (4.14/5). The resort's close proximity to Ottawa makes it perfect for after-work skiing sessions or quick weekend trips.

Camp Fortune features 23 runs serviced by 5 chairlifts and 3 drag lifts. The terrain is thoughtfully divided to cater to different skill levels, with a dedicated Skyline area for more advanced skiers.

"Skyline and Meech lifts provide challenging albeit shorter runs," notes Darren, an advanced skier. The resort scores well for beginners (4.33/5) and intermediates (4.29/5), with specific zones designed to keep novice skiers separated from more experienced riders.

Several users highlight the off-piste opportunities. Carter, an intermediate skier, mentions "plenty of off-piste trails," while Ilya, an expert skier and instructor at the resort, reveals: "Camp Fortune won't really show you pistes where you can free ride. You're gonna have to explore the resort yourself or ask a local for freeride trails. Our freeride trails are really fun with lots of versatile features such as cliffs and jumps."

The resort also features a progressive terrain park that earns a 3.43/5 rating for snow parks. "Our park is great," says Ilya. "This year our park builder decided to make the park more progressive so it makes it easier for new park skiers to learn how to grind rails or hit jumps."

Camp Fortune receives a 3.30/5 rating for eating out. The main lodge houses a cafeteria and a newer restaurant, giving visitors options based on budget and preference.

"The restaurant has great French Canadian food and never has a shortage of seating options," shares Christopher, an advanced skier. Another user, Ilya, adds: "We have the cafeteria which has really good food and it's less expensive than at Mont Tremblant, and this year we opened a restaurant in the main lodge which serves delicious food, a bit on the pricey side but comparing to other restaurants it's fair."

Some users noted that while the on-mountain food is good, it can be expensive, particularly for teenagers. For more dining options, the village of Chelsea is just a few minutes away from the slopes.

The après scene at Camp Fortune earns a 3.18/5 rating, reflecting its limited but growing offerings. The resort has been expanding its après activities, with Ilya noting: "We started having après skis each Friday this year and everyone is invited."

Christopher describes the après ski bar as "incredible" with "very welcoming staff and great prices," though he admits he's not yet of drinking age. While Camp Fortune won't compete with larger resorts for nightlife, its proximity to both Chelsea and Ottawa means you're never far from evening entertainment options.

As Darren points out, Chelsea itself is "great for Après," providing additional options just minutes from the resort.

Family-friendly experiences are where Camp Fortune truly shines, scoring an impressive 4.59/5 for family friendliness. The thoughtfully separated ski areas help families feel safe while learning.

"Camp Fortune is a great place for families and for all levels of expertise," says Pierre, an advanced skier. Braydon, an expert snowboarder, agrees: "Camp Fortune is awesome for families and advanced skiers and snowboarders!"

The resort's ski school quality (4.14/5) is highly regarded, with several users praising the instruction. Nina, a beginner snowboarder, shares: "It was my first time snowboarding, so I hired a private instructor and he was so helpful and nice! I learned a lot that day."

Ashton's review captures the family-friendly atmosphere perfectly: "I grew up coming to this ski hill. My family and I went every other weekend. This hill really means a lot to me, it's where I was able to learn to ski and spend quality time with my family... I loved the feeling of being able to cross over to the other side of the hill to the T-bar with my friends and my family wasn't worried about us."

With 3.31/5 for accommodation options, Camp Fortune offers limited on-site lodging. Most visitors are locals or stay in nearby Ottawa or Chelsea.

The resort's primary appeal is its accessibility rather than its accommodation options. Being just 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa means many skiers and snowboarders treat it as a day trip destination. As Chris, an intermediate snowboarder from the UK, notes: "It was my local hill for a few years and loved being a member."

The proximity to Ottawa eliminates the need for on-site accommodation for many visitors, with Aidan pointing out it's "really close to Ottawa, and it's one of the biggest ski hills in terms of terrain in the Ottawa area."

Camp Fortune's sustainability efforts appear limited based on available information. As a smaller, local resort, it doesn't prominently feature environmental initiatives in its communication or reviews.

The resort's primary environmental benefit is its accessibility from Ottawa, which reduces travel emissions for local skiers. Being just 20 minutes from the city centre means visitors can easily access the slopes without extended car journeys or air travel.

While there's no specific information about renewable energy usage, waste management practices or water conservation efforts, the resort's relatively modest size likely means a smaller environmental footprint compared to larger destinations.