Canada:

Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain's runs are cut out of the trees on Ontario's Niagara Escarpment and the ski area spans a two mile segment of the Escarpment overlooking Georgian Bay and the town of Collingwood.

Toronto is the closest major urban market for Blue Mountain, but it is interesting to note that 25% of Blue Mountain's visitors come from the cities in the United States bordering Canada, like Detroit. You might also think that Blue Mountain caters to mainly day skiers, but a large percentage of it's visitors are overnight guests. Guests can be accommodated at the base of the hill including the Blue Mountain Inn, a selection of condominium units and the Mountain Springs Lodge (located at the North end).

Snow is almost guaranteed at Blue Mountain with it's huge snowmaking capacity and a pipeline bringing water right from Georgian Bay.  But convincing Torontonians there is snow is a hard sell when there is no snow in their backyards. Remember, no snow in Toronto doesn't mean there isn't any now on the slopes.

Blue Mountain has over 700 feet over vertical rise. This may seem small when compared with resorts in the West, but it's big for Southern Ontario. The slopes can handle thousands of skiers every day with it's 36 runs and 15 lifts which can be accessed from four main points across the resort. The South Area has a base lodge and many beginner and intermediate runs. Blue Mountain Central has a full range of facilities and services.  This is where the Ski School is based and a convenient teaching slope is located. The Silver Bullet Detachable Quad whisks skiers and snowboarders up the mountain to a variety of terrain for all levels of ability.

A little farther north, adjacent to the Apple Bowl, is the Badlands, Blue Mountain's Snowboard Park with its own double chairlift, an excellent halfpipe and lots of jumps. Just beyond the Badlands si the next major access point - The Inn Triple - located at the Blue Mountain Inn.

From the top of the triple chair you can access one of three new double black diamond runs called "Willi's", with a great steep pitch next to the chair opening up into a wide slope for some nice turns as you head back to the Inn at the Base.

The North end of the resort is where the concentration of advanced and expert runs are found.  These runs are now more accessible with the installation of a new 6 person, detachable chairlift —the Grand Prix Express.

The Blue does offer night skiing, but later in the afternoon you'll find many people making their way to Jozo's, named after Blue Mountain's founder, Jozo Weider, and is a social landmark in the Collingwood area. Stopping at Jozo's after skiing is a great way to wrap up the day at Blue Mountain, Southern Ontario's largest four season resort.