STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: S-Media

Southern Ontario resorts attract families to get out on the slopes this winter.

Generations of skiers have taken their first runs on the ski hills on the southern tip of Georgian Bay, a short scenic winter’s drive north of Toronto running from Barrie to just west of Collingwood.

BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Blue Mountain offers some of the best skiing and riding in Ontario, with 42 trails ranging from beginner to double black diamond and a top-quality snowmaking system, that provides consistent conditions. The resort’s 16 lifts — including five high-speed six-person chairs — maximize your on-snow time and ensure you won’t spend half the day standing in line or sitting on a lift. Panoramic views of Georgian Bay greet you at the top. The championship Badlands Terrain Park boasts some of eastern Ontario’s best rails along with two superpipes to get the adrenaline pumping. The fun continues after the sun sets, with 25 trails and 13 lifts under the lights.

HORSESHOE RESORT

With 26 Alpine runs, a terrain park and six lifts nestled in a natural snow belt and surrounded by beautiful forest, Horseshoe Resort prides itself on great snowmaking and stellar conditions.

The Horseshoe Resort snow school offers an extensive variety of lessons like the Discover packages include a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and a 90-minute lesson. Weekend, evening and holiday programs as well as March Break camps cater to all ages and abilities.

MOUNT ST. LOUIS MOONSTONE

Located just north of Barrie, Mount St. Louis Moonstone is one of Ontario’s largest family-owned ski resorts, offering 36 runs, two terrain parks, two pipes, nine chairlifts and three carpets. The resort is known for being family friendly and prides itself on accommodating the beginner skier to the most advanced skier. The snow school employs 150 enthusiastic professionals ready to teach or improve upon the skiing and riding skills of any age or ability level. There are private and semi-private lessons, kids’ programs, and “Jim’s Snow School Academy” focusing on advanced ski training, course-specific training and off-season training.

SNOW VALLEY

Snow Valley is known as the best Ontario hill for kids, for good reason. With 19 runs, a “Kidz Village,” half pipe and terrain park, eight lifts and a magic carpet, the focus is squarely on families. There are lessons for every age and skill level, and the convenience and flexibility of two-hour tickets as well as family value packs. The resort offers daily, weekend, midweek, holiday and night lesson programs, as well as racing programs. Whether your family includes a first-time skier or snowboarder, racer, free-rider, the staff at Snow Valley will help your crew have more fun and enjoyment on the slopes!