Travel Article: Winter in Ontario: A Guide to Skiing & Snowboarding

Untitled Document Known for its diverse landscapes and scenery, Ontario has long been a top destination for those seeking recreational adventure. Winter is no exception when it comes to offering some of the best outdoor experiences around. Whether one's adrenaline rush of choice is via snowboarding or downhill skiing, Ontario has something for all. While many downhill opportunities are available across the province, the South Georgian Bay region and Greater Toronto offer some of the most exciting downhill experiences in Ontario.

SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY

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�	View of Collingwood from the Slopes¹

Collingwood
Collingwood, on South Georgian Bay, is home to Ontario's most popular downhill skiing and snowboarding areas. With three main ski hills located along the famous Niagara Escarpment, Collingwood is a skiing and snowboarding paradise.

Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain Resort, located just two hours from Toronto, is a four-season recreational resort community boasting amenities sure to please any seasoned traveller. The gem of its facilities is its ski hill, Blue Mountain, which features an impressive 36 trails to suit any skill level. Blue Mountain's longest run comes in at 1219 m (4000 ft) in length, perfect for a leisurely tour of the slopes. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders can test out tricks on the hill's main terrain park, which features a super pipe and its own chairlift. Families will appreciate the Kids at Blue Mountain program which offers full- and half-day child care services and ski curriculums.

Craigleith Ski Club
Located just minutes from the slopes of Blue Mountain is Craigleith Ski Club, a family-friendly ski area which boasts 32 trails ranging from beginner to double black diamond. In addition to a diverse range of ski runs, a terrain park and a half-pipe await thrill-seeking adventurers. Craigleith offers three full-service guest lodges, all of which provide food services and restrooms. For those looking for an alternative to downhill activities, Craigleith also features a wide range of snowshoeing trails, loops and switchbacks to challenge any skill level.


Blue Mountain Resort Village²	�

Osler Bluff Ski Club
Racing is an integral part of Collingwood's Osler Bluff Ski Club. As a long-time fixture on the Ontario downhill racing circuit, Osler's reputation has in turn produced many national and international racing champions. Osler's physical location has been a major contributor to its excellent ski conditions. Its northeast orientation results in little snow erosion due to sun and wind exposure and with an elevation of 198 m (652 ft) and a vertical rise of 226 m (743 ft), plenty of natural snow falls on its slopes. The hill offers 25 varied runs, a half-pipe and a terrain park. Three chairlifts and one j-bar offer lift services while four separate lodges provide a cozy apr�s-ski escape.

Barrie
Barrie, a thriving city along the banks of Kempenfelt Bay, is a recreational winter wonderland graced with lake-effect snowfall amounting to an average of 254 cm (100 in) of snow per year. Residents and visitors alike celebrate the winter season at the annual Winterfest & Festival of Ice in downtown Barrie and by visiting the nearby ski resorts. Heavy snowfalls combined with high-tech snowmaking and grooming capabilities make for excellent snow conditions for downhill and cross-country enthusiasts.

Horseshoe Resort
Horseshoe Resort is one of Barrie's most popular ski areas with 25 varied runs, nine lifts, a half-pipe, two terrain park runs and night skiing. The resort features a complete ski and snowboard school with programs for all ages and abilities. For first-time skiers, those wanting to venture into the world of downhill racing or looking to improve their technical skills, there are lessons to suit everyone. In addition to offering downhill adventure, the resort also features 35 km (21 mi) of groomed Nordic skiing trails, a snow tubing park with magic carpet lift, and guided snowmobiling tours. Catering to families, the resort's Kids Korral offers supervised half- and full-day ski programs for children ages four to fourteen.

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�	A Lift Takes Skiiers and Riders to the Top at Horseshoe Resort, Barrie³

Snow Valley
Located just northwest of Barrie and less than an hour from Toronto, Snow Valley is the self-proclaimed Ontario family ski area due to its world-class snow school programs and flexible lift ticket packages. With 19 runs, this resort offers varied terrain to challenge beginners and the seasoned pro. For a change of pace, Snow Valley features one of Ontario's largest tubing parks. With nine chutes, two lifts and over 600 tubes, the park offers an exciting adrenaline-filled alternative to visitors. The resort plays host to numerous events over the course of the winter season, including the annual MASH Bash event which raises funds for the local hospital. Visitors can participate in fun-filled races, take in live music acts and much more.

Pine Ridge Ski Club
Nestled in the Horseshoe Valley just 20 minutes north of Barrie is Pine Ridge Ski Club, a family-friendly ski area offering 10 modest runs and two lifts. The hill features a full-service chalet, which is centrally located at the base of the trails. Pine Ridge offers a snow school, racing programs, equipment rentals and is host to a number of racing and fund-raising events.

Mount Saint Louis Moonstone
Thrills await at Mount Saint Louis Moonstone, located north of Barrie and northwest of the city of Orilla. With 40 runs, 12 state-of-the-art lifts and superior ski and snowboard instruction, this resort is sure to please. Boasting the fastest six-person lifts in Ontario, getting on the slopes quickly is a sure thing. Those looking for extreme downhill need not look farther than the two available terrain parks, the Junkyard and the Outback. A range of rails, jumps and two super pipes test the trick skills of beginner to advanced snowboarders and freestylers.


Snowboarders Enjoy a Bluebird Day⁴	�

GREATER TORONTO REGION

Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts need not venture far beyond the borders of downtown Toronto to find fun-filled downhill destinations.

Central Toronto
Two inner-city parks, Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre and Centennial Park Ski and Snowboard Centre are modest beginner hills and are both accessible by the Toronto Transit Commission. Uplands Ski Centre is located in the community of Thornhill, an approximate 15-km (9 mi) drive from downtown Toronto, and features five beginner runs, a terrain park and snow school programs for all skill levels.

Northeast
Heading east from the city near Oshawa is the Oshawa Ski Club, which features a 91-m (300 ft) vertical with 20 runs, 11 of which are open for night skiing.

Nestled in the Oak Ridges Moraine is another of Greater Toronto's winter playgrounds, Uxbridge's Lakeridge Resort. Offering 19 diverse runs, a tubing park and a rail-filled, skill-testing terrain park, Lakeridge has something for everyone. Located adjacent to Lakeridge is Skyloft Resort, a family-oriented ski destination offering an even distribution of beginner, intermediate and expert slopes over 18 trails.

Venturing north of Whitby by way of Ajax is Ski Dagmar, a family resort showcasing 14 runs, two terrain parks and cross-country ski trails.

Southwest
Located in Milton, just a half-hour drive from Mississauga, Hamilton and Guelph, is Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre. This attractive resort boasts spectacular natural scenery and features 12 runs, five lifts and an adrenaline-filled terrain park. With more moderate terrain and trails, Glen Eden is particularly attractive to beginners.

If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
� Skiing & Snowboarding in Canada
� North America's Top 10 Family Ski Resorts

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

View of Collingwood from Blue Mountain; Collingwood, ON, Canada
Blue Mountain Resort Village; Collingwood, ON, Canada
A Lift at Horseshoe Resort; Barrie, ON, Canada
Snowboarders Enjoy a Bluebird Day; ON, Canada

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Winter in Ontario: A Guide to Skiing & Snowboarding