Look at imposing Mt. Orford, located at the heart of the Appalachians and within the national park that bears its name. The park also comprises Orford Music, the Orford Ski and Golf Corporation and the Jouvence vacation centre and represents a major driving force in the region’s tourism industry.
The culmination of an agreement between 27 municipalities to create a protected territory, Mont-Orford National Park was inaugurated in 1938, shortly after the one at Mont-Tremblant. Its mission is to provide access to nature to the citizens of the region and elsewhere, while protecting its animal and plant inhabitants.
A first ski lift was installed on the mountain in 1952 and, in 1962, a ski-tow giving access to Mt. Giroux was inaugurated. Nowadays, there are 44 ski trails and 7 chairlifts! The park itself attracts more than 800,000 visitors per year who come to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and camp.
The Mont-Orford National Park is also a natural heritage treasure. You will soon enter it by way of the Route Verte. Pay attention to the geological formations, and to the flora and fauna. If you don’t make noise, you may encounter deer, or maybe even a moose!