Blue Mountain Ski Resort, Collingwood, Ontario

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Blue Mountain is a ski resort in Ontario, near the south shore of Georgian Bay, just outside the town of Collingwood.

Though it's not much of a "mountain" by the standards of Rocky Mountains ski resorts or even the Laurentians, it's one of the biggest drops in southern Ontario. The resort bills itself as "the largest mountain resort in Ontario," and has a substantial village at the foot of the ski runs, with a dozen restaurants, a bunch of shops, and hotels. The Blue Mountain complex was developed by Intrawest, which explains the similarities to Banff.

This portion of Ontario is part of the Niagara Escarpment, and the hills at Blue Mountain are the result of glaciers receding after the last ice age.

2008

In 2008, Blue Mountain is open until March 16, and then weather permitting it also may stay open until March 28.

Trails and verticals at Blue Mountain

The runs at Blue Mountain have a maximum drop of 720 vertical feet. There are 34 trails served by 13 lifts (including four high-speed six-person lifts). Night skiing is possible on 22 trails and 10 lifts.

There are also 3 terrain parks and 2 super pipes. Though parts of the Blue Mountain web site still mention the tubing park, that is now closed.

Fees

In peak season (December 13 to March 16), lift tickets are
Adult, day: $54
Youth/senior, day: $37
Adult, night: $44 Youth/senior, night: $37
The official site has more details on rates.

Other Facilities at Blue Mountain

The Village has 19 restaurants/food shops, ranging from elegant dining to Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's. The Fire Hall tends to have fast, friendly service and reasonable prices. It's a pub-style pizza joint, and the food is good.

There are, of course, dozens of shops selling ski and boarding equipment of all descriptions, as well as bunch of gift and knick-knack shops.

Directions to Blue Mountain

Since much of Blue Mountain’s traffic comes from or via Toronto, these directions begin from the bottom of Highway 400, at Highway 401. (Directions are partially largely from the Blue Mountain website).

• go north on Hwy. 400 for 76.5 km., into Barrie, to the Bayfield Street exit (a.k.a. exit #98, for Hwy 26/27)
  
• turn left at the end of the ramp, onto Bayfield. Go straight for 5 km., past all the fast food restaurants and shopping malls
  
• turn left at Hwy #26 West Stayner/Collingwood sign (GP Masonry & Landscaping Supplies is on the right)
  
• follow Hwy. #26 for 34 km., into Stayner. At the Esso station, #26 takes a badly marked turn to the right. Turn right here and continue along #26.
  
• continue on #26 another 12 km. Go through the set of stop lights at the Mosley Street intersection. Also proceed straight through the lights at Pilkington Factory (this will be on your left).
  
• at the next set of lights at Collingwood (car dealership on right and Home Furniture on left), follow the turning lane to the right – you will still be on Hwy #26 West
  
• proceed along Hwy #26 West until you see the stop lights at the First Street/Hurontario Street intersection (Loblaw’s will be on your left and Bulk Barn on your right). Go straight through those lights and the next two sets of lights.
  
• at the third set of lights, with Holiday Inn Express on the right and Mac’s Milk on your left, proceed straight through the lights. You will now be on Blue Mountain Road Ext. and will be driving straight towards the mountain. Major landmarks you will pass along the way are:
  
• Walmart to your left
  -Goodyear to your right
  -Billboard about Blue Mountain on your left
  You will approach a set of lights where you will see Mountainside Sports to your left. Proceed straight through those lights (the road now becomes Grey Road #19) and continue to Entrance One (at the resort; if you’re an overnight guest, go to Entrance Two).
  
  Distance from 401: 137 km.
  Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes driving time
  

For other driving directions, click.

Summer at Blue Mountain

The resort remains open over the summer, and is quite pretty. The ski runs are transformed into mountain bike runs, and lifts are converted to hoist bikes to the tops.

The Village also remains open, and since it's designed with all the store fronts facing into a series of courtyards, the patios are very nice and comfortable.

Blue Mountain's official contact info:

Blue Mountain Resorts Limited
108 Jozo Weider Blvd.
Collingwood, Ontario, Canada L9Y 3Z2
Telephone: 705-445-0231
1-877-445-0231
Fax: 705-444-1751
mail@bluemountain.ca

Daily email updates on conditions and other resort details and offers are available. Sign up at http://www.bluemountain.ca/especials.htm.