As parts of central Ontario near Huntsville are virtually closed down due to heavy snowfall, the Georgian Bay coastline near Collingwood teems with activity. The moment so many have been waiting for has arrived – the 2009/10 ski season at Blue Mountain is set to open!
"Plans for this weekend, commencing Saturday, December 12, include opening the Silver Bullet chair lift servicing Smart Alec and the Easy Rider Magic Carpet servicing Easy Rider. Additional terrain will open as weather and conditions permit," says Blue Mountain spokesperson Kelly O'Neil.
251 acres of ski-able terrain, 36 ski and snowboard trails, and 13 lifts (4 high speed detachable six person chair-lifts, 3 triple chair-lifts, 4 double chair-lifts and 1 magic carpet), help make this a popular destination in Ontario, visited by more than 1.5 million guests per year.
Boasting the largest snow-making system in Canada (12,000 gallons per minute – 1 ft. acre of snow/16 min), able to produce full capacity at all temperatures below –6 degrees Celsius, Blue Mountain Resort has 455 snow guns including 420 HKD Fixed Tall Tower guns fed by three kilometres of water pipeline from Georgian Bay.
This weekend however, the resort area is receiving the gift of major snowfall in addition to the snow-making, and groomers will be perfecting the trails nightly.
For the experienced skier/rider, or for the beginner, Blue Mountain offers private lessons for all levels as well as specialty lessons for tackling moguls, racing, half-pipe and terrain parks.
More information can be found by visiting the Blue Mountain Ski Resort website.
