Amelie CameronAs much as I love living in Toronto, sometimes, I just want to get out of the city. Fortunately for me, just a two-hour drive away is Blue Mountain Resort, Ontario’s very own winter wonderland!
It’s technically a ski resort, but I feel like it can count as a village because there are just many things to do—even during other seasons! There are also shops and restaurants aside from lodging. Truly, it’s the best escape from the city!
If you want to visit, you might feel overwhelmed with all the exciting options. Here’s a guide to help you sort out your itinerary.
Things to Know
Location: The Blue Mountains, Ontario
Drive from TO: Around 2 hours and 30 minutes
Contact Number: +18335832583
How to Get Here
Since Blue Mountain Resort is located a great distance away from Toronto, getting there is tricky. The best way is to drive, and there are several parking lots available for you, namely
- P1/P1A: South. This one is located across from the South Base Lodge on Plater Street.
- P2/P2A: Village. These are lots located across the Activity Central. Keep in mind that this is a paid parking lot.
- P3: Inn. These are parking lots located beside the Blue Mountain Inn, Jozo’s Original Après, and The Pottery Restaurant.
- P4: North: This is situated beside the Toronto Ski Club, where you can find the start of the Happy Haul and 1940 Hiking Trail.
- P5: South Summit. This lot is located at the top of the Escarpment. It’s near the Woodview Activity Center.
- P6: Village Summit: This is also located at the top of the Escarpment. It’s near the top of the Silver Bullet Express/Open-Air Gondola.
If you’re already in the resort, another way you can travel all over the place is to ride the Blue Line Shuttle. This is a free shuttle ride with several stops across the resort, which are as follows:
- North Shuttle Hut: located in the P4 parking lot
- Blue Mountain Inn Hut: located in the P3 parking lot
- Plunge/Village Hut: located by the parking lot at Plunge! Aquatic Center
- South Base Lodge Hut: located across the street from the Lodge
- Orchard Hut: located in the P1A parking lot
Day Tickets
To enjoy the different thrilling activities available at Blue Mountain Resort, you have to purchase a Play All Day ticket. The prices are as follows:
| Age of Customer | Walk-in Rates | Online Rates |
| Tyke (4 years old and under) | Up to C$39 | C$18–C$34 |
| Youth (5 to 12 years old) | Up to C$61 | C$25–C$56 |
| Young Adult (13 to 17 years old) | Up to C$67 | C$29–C$62 |
| Senior Citizen (65 years old and above) | ||
| Adult (18 to 64 years old) | Up to C$73 | C$35–C$68 |
Take note that the prices will depend on when you’re booking the ticket—if it’s peak hours or not. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you can enjoy unlimited play and access to their attractions!
Season Passes
Another way you can enjoy the attractions at this resort is by purchasing a season pass. Currently, these are the passes you can buy at the resort:
| Name of the Pass | Season | Description | Price Range |
| 5×7 Pass | Winter | Lets you ski or snowboard on the slopes for five days and seven nights a week | From C$99 to S$529 |
| Blue Pass | Lets you enjoy unrestricted time on the slopes | From C$129 to C$1,378 | |
| Explore Season Pass | Summer and Winter | Gives you unlimited access to hiking trails, bike trails, and gondola | From C$49 to C$114 |
| Splash Pass | Year-Round | Lets you visit Plunge! Aquatic Center 8 times (for two hours each time) | From C$79 to C$159 |
The Blue Mountain App
There’s so much to know about Blue Mountain Resort that you might feel overwhelmed in the process (I know I was, at first!). Fortunately, they have their very own app that you can download from the App Store or Google Play.
This app has a guide map with point-to-point navigation so you won’t ever get lost. It also updates you on the weather, which is important to know especially if you’re going to ski or hike.
For skiers, the app lets you track your skiing and see the top skiers of the season. You can even use the app to find friends! Seriously, the Blue Mountain App will make your experience at the resort even better.
What to Do During Winter
Go skiing or snowboarding
– From: bluemtnresort
Skiing and snowboarding are the two main winter activities here at Blue Mountain Resort, so you might as well take the opportunity to do either (or both!). This resort has about 360 acres of skiable area!
I’m not the best skier out there, so I tend to stick to the beginner-friendly trails. Sometimes, I spend my time just riding the ski lifts for fun!
But next time, I want to try going on an intermediate trail. Maybe I’ll try one of the night trails because they’re lit up, giving them a romantic, whimsical feel.
Get your heart pumping with snow tubing
– From: nazha_ding
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, head to Hike N’ Tube. This spot specializes in snow tubing, which will definitely get your heart pumping!
Every time I go snow tubing, I feel like a little kid again, whizzing down the slopes of the hill behind my childhood home. Snow tubing at Blue Mountain Resort is much better because the experience lasts longer. I can’t wait to have another go the next time I visit!
Play Shinny Pad Ice Hockey with friends
– From: mycollingwood
Admission Fee: C$350 for up to 10 people + C$35 per additional person
Do you have a large friend group? Then, you might want to play Shinny Pad Ice Hockey with them!
I personally have never tried playing this game because I don’t know how to play hockey, but I have watched my friends, and it seems so much fun. The rink is pretty spacious, and the players wear hockey uniforms, so it’s easy to forget that this is just a fun game, not a real hockey match.
Skate through the mountaintop
– From: bluemtnresort
Woodview Mountaintop Skating has to be my favourite activity here because it gives me romantic and peaceful vibes. I mean, skating through a wooded area covered in snow? That sounds magical!
This activity also lets you enjoy breathtaking views along the Niagara Escarpment. Sometimes, I actually stop skating and just sit on a nearby boulder or tree stump to drink in the scenery. I can spend hours just doing that.
Go snowshoeing through the backcountry trails
– From: tarunkunmarkamireddy
Snowshoeing is another one of my favourite things to do at this resort. It’s like hiking—but with lots of snow.
The trails for snowshoeing here take me through the backcountry side of Ontario, and it’s such a sight to behold. The landscape is so beautiful, almost sparkling!
Learn how to ski at Snow School
– From: bluemtnresort
If you don’t know how to ski, don’t worry because you can attend skiing classes here, thanks to the resort’s very own Snow School. I attended one of the beginner-friendly programs here, and it helped me go from a sucky beginner to a pretty good amateur.
Aside from the beginner classes, the school also has programs if you want to train for competitive skiing or snowboarding. I don’t have plans to attend this type of program, but I’ve heard that the classes are pretty intense. Maybe I can watch a skier practicing their race techniques someday.
What to Do All Year-Round
Go on a hike
– From: bluemtnresort
The fun doesn’t stop at Blue Mountain Resort just because winter is over. Now, you can go hiking instead! The resort has a vast network of trails, each varying in difficulty, so even beginners can get on this adventure.
If you look at your map on the app, you can see the trails marked with different colours and shapes. The green circle indicates that the trail is for beginners, the blue square is for intermediate, and the black diamond is for advanced hikers.
So far, I’ve only tried the beginner and intermediate trails, and they were so much fun! I encountered so many interesting wildlife, like the white-tailed deer and eastern gray squirrel!
Play golf, tennis, or pickleball at Monterra
– From: monterragolfbluemtn
Address: 220–264 Jozo Weider Blvd
Are you a big fan of golfing? Then, you might want to show off your skills at Monterra. This place has a golf course that spans a wide area.
Even if you’re not golfing, visiting the course is just as fun because it has ravines, creeks, and lakes!
Golfing isn’t the only thing you can do here. Monterra also has indoor courts for tennis and pickleball. I’m not the most sporty person ever, but I always have a blast playing pickleball with friends!
Let your inner child loose at Canopy Climb Net Adventure
– From: mom_in_the_mitten
Address: 150 Jozo Weider Blvd Unit AS3
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 8 pm
- Friday to Sunday—10 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +18335832583
Every time I visit a playground with my young nieces and nephews, I feel a little jealous of them having fun with those climbing structures.
So, you can imagine my delight when I discovered Canopy Climb Net Adventure. It’s the same climbing structure in children’s playgrounds, but this time, adults are welcome to join in!
Beware: this attraction isn’t for the faint of heart because you’ll be navigating through nets set high up from the ground. And it really is high up! I always feel my heart racing when the net bridge wobbles, and I force myself not to look down. (Still fun, though!)
Ride the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster
– From: bluemtnresort
Address: 150 Jozo Weider Blvd Unit AY2
Operating Hours: Friday to Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +18335832583
A coaster down a mountain? Sign me up!
The Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster cart travels up to 42 km/hour—fast enough to feel the wind whipping through your hair!
Going on this coaster ride is the best way to enjoy the views of the Niagara Escarpment. Autumn is my favourite season to try this ride because the trees look so gorgeous with their reddish-brown leaves, but any season works!
Enjoy a relaxing swim at Plunge! Aquatic Center
– From: plungeaquatic
Address: Unit AY1, 220 Gord Canning Dr
Operating Hours:
- Sunday and Monday—10 am to 5 pm
- Thursday—4 pm to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +17054448705
Most people associate swimming with summer, but for me, all seasons are perfect for a swim. That’s why whenever I’m at the resort, I find time to head to the Plunge! Aquatic Center.
What I love about this aquatic center is that it has several swimming pools. When the weather is clear and hot, I jump into the outdoor pool to cool down. But if it’s extremely cold outside, the heated indoor pool is my saviour.
There are other fun features too, like rope swings, water slides, and even basketball nets!
Throw axes at Axed
– From: axedthrowing
Address: 166 Jozo Weider Blvd #64B
Contact Number: +17052933000
Feeling stressed? You might want to try axe-throwing at Axed!
At first, I was skeptical about throwing axes to decompress, but once I finally tried it, I was a convert. There’s just something so cathartic about lifting an axe and chucking it to a target a few meters away. Sometimes, I even picture the target as someone I despise, so when I throw an axe at it, it feels extra satisfying!
Play games at The Bunker Arcade
– From: thebunkerarcade
Address: 172 Jozo Weider Blvd unit 112
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—2 pm to 10 pm
- Friday—2 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +12498820180
When I step inside The Bunker Arcade, I become aware of how old I am. This spot is so retro that I feel like I’ve been transported back to my childhood. There are arcade machines of games I thought I’d forgotten and even snacks I loved as a child!
The game lineup is impressive, and the ones I keep replaying are the Super Mario games (I was—and still am—a Nintendo gamer). I also enjoy my time playing the fighter games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter even though I rarely win in them.
Paint your own pottery at Crock A Doodle
– From: crockadoodleinblue
Address: 170 Jozo Weider Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—10 am to 7 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054440888
I don’t have an artistic bone in my body, but still, I love visiting Crock A Doodle to paint my own pottery. It’s incredibly therapeutic, and it feels good to hold up the final product—even if it’s just a riot of colours!
To make things even more fun, I bring a friend with me. That way, we can gossip while we paint, and we can also laugh at the colourful monstrosities that we’re making.
Where to Eat
Tholos Restaurant
– From: tholosbluemountain
Address: 170 Jozo Weider Blvd #33
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—5 pm to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054438311
I want to travel to Greece so bad, but since I don’t have the funds, stopping by Tholos Restaurant suffices for now. Named after the circular building that was found in every Greek city in ancient times, this restaurant is dripping with cozy ambiance.
I love getting the chicken souvlaki. The cut used is chicken breast, but it’s still super moist, and the marinade gives it a savoury-smoky flavour profile. For a tangy, minty kick, dip the chicken into the tzatziki!
Chuck Burger
– From: chuckburgr
Address: 172 Jozo Weider Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 10:30 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054670810
When I don’t know what to eat, I get a burger because it never fails to satisfy my hunger. Fortunately, Blue Mountain Resort has a burger joint: Chuck Burger.
The Guacamole Double Chuck Burger is my guilty pleasure here. It’s a cheesy, greasy, juicy, savoury perfection, and the fries are thick and perfectly crispy. This burger also comes with a syringe of that delicious savoury sauce!
Rusty’s at Blue
Address: 150 Jozo Weider Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Thursday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +17054452718
If you’re dining with a group, I recommend Rusty’s at Blue. This restaurant specializes in all things BBQ, and in my opinion, BBQ is best enjoyed with other people.
I love getting the Pit Master Platter because it has everything you could ever want: the half-rack of smoked ribs, six chicken wings, pulled pork, and—the star of the show—the smoked beef shank. This beef shank has been cooking for more than 10 hours; it’s so tender it practically falls off the bone!
Magnone’s Italian Kitchen
– From: magnonesitaliankitchen
Address: 190 Jozo Weider Blvd #1
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +17054463595
Craving pizza or pasta? Don’t worry because Magnone’s Italian Kitchen has got you covered!
I’m a big fan of the Linguine Scoglio because it makes my seafood lover’s heart sing. The lobster, mussels, and shrimp are plump and slightly sweet, which pairs well with the tangy, acidic, and also slightly sweet sauce.
For pizza, you can’t go wrong with the Salsiccia Pizza. It has pieces of Italian sausage, rapini, fire-roasted pepper, and mozzarella, so the flavour profile is sweet with a strong kick of heat by the end.
BeaverTails
– From: beavertails
Address: 170 Jozo Weider Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—10 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +17054447676
What sold me about BeaverTails is the fact that it offers wild desserts. And by “wild,” I mean desserts that are so over the top that sugar will be flowing through your arteries and veins!
My go-to flavour is the Brwownie because it’s just chocolate overload, but I also love the Triple Trip because chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven for me.
Where to Shop
L’Occitane en Provence
– From: loccitane
Address: 170 Jozo Weider Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 7 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054469596
L’Occitane en Provence is the stuff of a skincare lover’s dreams! I remember when I first came here, I was in awe of the sheer array of skincare products available. I’ve purchased a few over the years.
I’m a big fan of the retinol cream here called Immortelle Divine. My skin looks so plump and shiny every time I use it, and it also smells great!
Aside from care products, you can also find fragrances in this shop.
Reiner’s Originals
– From: reiners.originals
Address: 190 Jozo Weider Blvd Unit 6
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—10 am to 7 pm
- Thursday and Saturday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +15193423535
Before I stepped foot inside Reiner’s Originals, leather ottomans never crossed my mind. But after checking out this shop, now I’m convinced that I must have a leather ottoman for my home.
What I love about the leather ottomans here is that they’re shaped like animals, such as a bear, an elephant, a moose, and a hippopotamus!
The Olde Stanton Store
– From: oldestantonstore
Address: 174 Jozo Weider Blvd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054460373
The Olde Stanton Store is one of my favourite shops in the resort because of its rustic vibe. Plus, the products here, mostly country home decor and souvenirs, are charming and unique.
I love perusing their selection of art prints. I’ve purchased oil paintings of gorgeous country landscapes, and they look so good hanging on my living room wall!
Pepper Palace
– From: pepperpalace
Address: 170 Jozo Weider Blvd Suite C9A
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—10 am to 7 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054438674
As a home cook, having a wide array of seasonings and sauces at home is a must, and fortunately, Pepper Palace is here to make sure I won’t ever run out of my favourite seasonings and condiments.
So far, I’m obsessed with the Honey Chipotle Rum BBQ glaze because it perfectly combines sweet, smoky, and spicy flavours. I also love to get the coffee rub because it makes my steaks taste so much better. Surprisingly, the coffee flavour isn’t intense!
Georgian Christmas
– From: georgianxmas
Address: 170 Jozo Weider Blvd Unit 20
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—10 am to 7 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +17054440222
I wish the Christmas season lasted all year. And thankfully, there’s a store here at the resort that agrees with me: Georgian Christmas.
Here, I feel like a little kid let loose inside a candy store. This shop has Christmas-themed sweaters, which are so comfortable, and all sorts of decor.
I’m a big fan of the “Vintage Christmas” decorations, especially the candelabras, because I’m sure they will make my home much more charming.
Where to Stay
The Westin Trillium House
– From: westinbluemtn
Address: 220 Gord Canning Dr
Contact Number: +17054438080
If you want the best experience at Blue Mountain Resort, then you might as well go all out by staying at The Westin Trillium House. And the best part is that it’s pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend.
The rooms and suites here have a modern, homey feel, making it easy to forget that you’re staying in a hotel. If you’re lucky, you can book a room or a suite with a balcony, where you can sit down and relax while enjoying the view of the Niagara Escarpment.
Mosaic
– From: bluemtnresort
Address: 190 Jozo Weider Blvd
Contact Number: +18335832583
Another hotel you can book at the resort is Mosaic. This boutique-style hotel looks so pretty with its colourful paint and distinctive architecture. It’s also tucked away from the events plaza, so you can enjoy serenity after a day full of events.
The rooms are well-equipped here. They even have a kitchenette area, so if you don’t like to eat out (understandable because things can get pricy here), you can just cook your own meal.
Other amenities you have access to here are a heated outdoor swimming pool, fitness facility, and hot tubs.
Mountain Walk
– From: propertyvalet_
Address: 169 Jozo Weider Blvd
Contact Number: +18335832583
If you prefer staying close to the resort’s hustle and bustle, then the Mountain Walk vacation rental is the one for you. This rental is located near the resort’s many shops, restaurants, and attractions, so you won’t have a hard time getting by.
The rooms are big enough to accommodate families and groups, and if you have babies, you can request to have playpens and high chairs in your room, free of charge.
Additionally, if you’re driving to the resort, then you’ll be glad to know that this rental gives you complimentary parking for one vehicle.
Rivergrass
– From: propertyvalet_
Address: 115 Fairway Ct
Contact Number: +18335832583
Tucked away on Fairway Court, Historic Snowbridge is the best rental if you’re travelling with a group and you want privacy. Instead of getting just a room or a suite, here, you’ll be getting a townhouse with several bedrooms!
Another great thing about this vacation rental is the fact that it’s just steps away from the Monterra Golf Course. During the summer, you can catch golfers playing across the field.
And in wintertime, you can enjoy the scenery of a field of snow glinting in the sun. You can also take advantage of the space near the rental to make snowmen or throw snowballs at each other.
