Six ways that our teams are preparing the mountain for the 26-27 ski season

Between the falling autumn leaves and the arrival of the first snowflakes, all our teams are hard at work preparing the mountain for the upcoming ski season. We can’t wait to welcome skiers and snowboarders back to the slopes for another exceptional winter, and the excitement is already palpable throughout the resort! Behind every first run of the season are weeks of hard work, preparation and coordination amongst our various teams.

As we get ready for the upcoming ski season, don’t forget to take advantage of our season pass presale, available until October 31! By grabbing your pass now, you’ll save on your favourite winter sport, start benefitting from exclusive discounts sooner and be ready to hit the slopes the second the season begins. You can purchase your membership by clicking here. While we count down the days until we see you back on the slopes, discover six ways our teams are preparing for your return to the mountain!

Did you know that the preparation for ski season begins long before the temperatures drop? Before snowmaking can begin, an important part of mountain maintenance involves cutting the grass on our ski runs. Our operations team is currently finishing up the mowing that began earlier this summer to prepare the trails for their first layer of snow. Since several areas are left in their natural state during hiking season, this task involves much more than a simple lawn mower job! With this important step, they are ensuring that the runs are clear and ready for snowmaking and grooming operations once temperatures allow.

While waiting for temperatures to drop sufficiently, our operations team is preparing to launch the first snowmaking cycle in the coming weeks. Final preparations are underway, and the entire team is excited to run the first tests of our snow guns shortly. In the meantime, our employees are carefully maintaining our tower-mounted snow guns, replacing equipment that is no longer up to standard and fine-tuning our snowmaking plan for the start of the season. Every detail matters when it comes to optimizing snow production and preparing the slopes under the best possible conditions. When the first snow guns fire up across the mountain, it’s music to our ears!

Our ski patrol team is also hard at work at the mountain in preparation for the upcoming season. Team members are completing various training courses to keep their skills up to date and stay current with the latest prevention and emergency response techniques essential to everyone’s safety. This preparation ensures they can respond effectively to a wide range of situations while helping prevent incidents on the ski hill. Behind every day of skiing is a dedicated team looking out for the well-being of skiers and snowboarders. Their work is essential to ensuring you can enjoy your day on the mountain with complete peace of mind!

Our lift mechanics are busy completing various preventive maintenance tasks in preparation for the season. These inspections and maintenance procedures, carried out in accordance with applicable requirements, including CSA Z98, help ensure that our lifts operate properly and safely. Every lift undergoes rigorous checks before welcoming skiers and snowboarders back on board. This work often takes place behind the scenes, but it is vital to keeping the mountain running smoothly throughout the winter!

When it comes to grooming, our heavy equipment mechanic has already prepared our snow groomers for the 2026–2027 season! We’re also eagerly awaiting the arrival of a brand-new winch-equipped snow groomer that runs on biodegradable oil. This new addition will allow us to combine performance with environmental responsibility as we prepare our slopes. Thanks to our team’s hard work and this equipment, we can’t wait to deliver the fresh corduroy that ski enthusiasts love to find first thing in the morning. It’s the perfect way to start your day at the mountain on the right foot…or on the right boot!

For our food lovers, the Hibou Resto-Bar is in the midst of its seasonal transition as we get ready to reopen its doors soon! Our team is moving equipment from the Club Haus to the ski chalet and, with the help of our janitorial team, is getting the restaurant and bar ready for its first service of the season. After a great day making turns in fresh snow, what could be better than gathering with your loved ones for a delicious meal or a cocktail to keep the good times rolling? We’re already dreaming about all the events and après-ski gatherings that will take place there this winter!

From customer service and the Ski School to marketing and every other department in between, everyone at the mountain is pitching in to prepare for winter’s return. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you back and sharing another memorable season at Owl’s Head! In the meantime, don’t forget to purchase your season pass, stop by the WAX ski shop to browse for your winter gear and get your skis waxed, and make the most of our hiking trails before they close for the season.

Every day brings us one step closer to the start of ski season, and we can’t wait to welcome you back in December.

See you very soon!