Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario and Escape2ski provide info on; vertical drop 720ft/220m, total trails 43, closest airport 78mi/125km, lifts 11, and more.

Blue Mountain Resort is located a short distance northwest of the Town of Collingwood near the shores of Georgian Bay. Long before the Collingwood area was known as a tourist and recreational area, it gained its popularity from apple growing and as a shipbuilding area from 1883 until 1986.

In 1941, Blue Mountain Resort opened to the public with just three runs, a lift powered by a truck engine, and the Blue Mountain Lodge. The resort was the vision of Jozo Weider, a Slovakian, whose love for skiing inspired him to create a joint venture with Peter Campbell, a developer to create the ski area.

Access to the ski area was a challenge in the early years until the 1950s as the roads leading to the Collingwood area were inadequate. The train provided the best access as it stopped at the nearby train station of Craigleith. I guess you could say it was the areas first “ski train”.

As the popularity of the resort grew and skier visits continued to improve, it was time to expand the resort. So in 1959, the first chairlift was installed to provide greater uphill capacity and to increase access to additional trails.

Several more significant improvements were added during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1966, three double chairlifts were installed, and a new base lodge opened. Snowmaking was added in 1973 to guard against any shortfalls by Mother Nature, and 1981 saw the first trails lit for night skiing, which brought even more visitors to the ski area.

Over the next several decades, Blue Mountain Resort continued to expand and improve its services. Some key milestones were the opening of the Blue Mountain Inn in 1981 that transformed Blue Mountain into true destination recreational area. In 1989, the ski area installed the first high-speed quad chairlift in the province of Ontario. The slopes opened to snowboarding in 1990.

In 1999, the Weider family who operated the resort after Jozo passed away in 1971, sold half of their interest to the Intrawest Corporation, based in Vancouver, BC. This was the beginning of the next wave of expansion as construction began in 2000 on a pedestrian village featuring lodging, restaurants, and retail outlets. On-mountain changes also occurred with the installation of new high-speed, six-passenger chairlifts. In 2010, the Weider family sold its remaining interest in the ski resort to Intrawest.

Today, Blue Mountain Resort is owned by Alterra Mountain Co and provides a skiable frontage width of 4.0kms/2.5miles, and has grown into the province of Ontario’s largest four-season destination resort. Jozo Weider would be so proud to see how his dream has become such a huge success as it attracts visitors from all over the world. Blue Mountain Resort continues to operate with the core values of providing a family-friendly place to enjoy the slopes.

On the Slopes

• Blue Mountain Resort features naturally divided terrain that can be classified into five distinct skiing and snowboarding areas or zones, not including the beginner areas. One such area is serviced by the Weider Express, which is 99% advanced and expert terrain on trails such as Elevator Shaft and Little Devil.
• There are also two dedicated beginners’ areas that are serviced with chairlifts and surface lifts. These areas are perfect for those who are new to the sport, wanting to improve their skill set or find a place to have fun with family or friends.
• Blue Mountain Resort features night skiing for those who cannot make it to the slopes during the day or prefer an evening out skiing or snowboarding under the stars. There are 30 trails open daily from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
• Blue Mountain Resort features two distinct terrain Parks located in beside each, other on different runs, near the Orchard Express. There is the Grove Progression Park that has smaller jibs and jumps. Plus, The Badlands Parks runs from summit to base and has big air jumps, rails, boxes, and rainbows.
• The Blue Mountain Snow School has a dedicated team of instructors who are there to guide you the next level of development with various lessons and programs. There are group and private lessons for children and adults, race programs, freestyle programs, adaptive programs, and discovery lessons for newbies.
• Blue Mountain Resort offers many lodging options at or near the base of the mountain in the vibrant village. Some of the lodging options include the Blue Mountain Inn, Grand Georgian, Seasons At Blue, The Westin Trillium House, Weider Lodge, and several more properties.

Off the Slopes

• The nearby Town of Collingwood, which is only minutes away from the ski area, features many lodging options, dining, coffee, and retail outlets, plus big-box retailers, and a movie theatre. As you drive through town, you’ll see the slopes in the distance. Collingwood is well known as a tourist destination.
• Blue Mountain Resort has a complete list of activities away from the slopes. Hike N’ tube near the village is fun for the entire family, check out the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Woodview Mountaintop Skating Trail, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, or relax at two on-resort spas or the nearby Scandinave Spa.
• The Blue Mountain Village, has a quaint pedestrian village vibe where you’ll discover galleries, a local market, shopping for gifts and ski wear, plus many restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and pubs to compliment you visit.
• There is childcare available at the resort with licensed personnel who will provide a fun and engaging environment for your child. The facility is located in the South Base Lodge. Contact Blue Mountain Resort for more information.
• Blue Mountain Resort provides an on-demand complimentary shuttle service from Monday to Thursday, in and around the village area, at designated stops by calling 705-443-5519. A regularly scheduled service is provided at designated stops from Friday to Sunday, including holidays from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm every 10 to 15 minutes.
• The Town of Collingwood provides regular transit service in and around the town, along with service to the Blue Mountain Village. The South Georgian Bay Regional Transit service is fare based and operates 7 days a week, except on statutory holidays.