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Where the mountain meets the ocean Buy tickets
Aerial view of the Cape Smokey ski runs in winter above the frozen bay

Welcome to Smokey

About us

Cape Smokey is where the mountains meet the Atlantic

ABOUT SMOKEY / OUR STORY

History

From the big idea to a year-round destination.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY

The original Cape Smokey ski lodge, a yellow two-storey building on the hilltop

FROM THE CAPE SMOKEY ARCHIVE

CHAPTER 01 / 05

1970

The big idea

One day, someone stood at the edge of a massive ocean cliff on Cape Breton and thought:

“What if we skied straight down… and basically landed in the ocean?”

That single wild idea changed everything.

Boom. Ski Cape Smokey was born.
A local legend in the making.

Around the hill // Your day, your season

A day at Smokey

From summer trails to winter turns. Two ways to spend a memorable day above the Atlantic.

Aerial view of Cape Smokey’s green ski runs and summit base above a wide blue bay

Summer

Take the scenic route.

Ride above the coast, wander to Hawley Lake and make time for the little moments in between.

Gondola · Hiking · Hawley Lake

  1. Atlantic Gondola cabin climbing above green forest with the bay and islands behind

    01 / Arrival

    Start above the Atlantic

    Take the gondola to the summit. Let the coastline unfold beneath you, then pause for your first mountain view.

  2. Hiker with a white Samoyed dog on a forest trail

    02 / Morning

    Follow the trail to Hawley Lake

    Set out on the 5 km round-trip hike. Take your time along the trail and leave room for a peaceful break by the lake.

  3. Kayaker paddling across a calm lake ringed by forest

    03 / Midday

    A little time on the water

    Enjoy a kayaking on Hawley Lake.
    Prefer dry land? Stay lakeside and soak up the unreal scenery.

  4. Plate of lobster held up by the water at sunset

    04 / Afternoon

    Taste the regional food, then enjoy the sunset by the ocean

    Return from the lake and stop for lunch at The Cape. Add a round of summit mini golf before your final gondola ride.