Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain works the Niagara Escarpment above Georgian Bay, with a vertical drop of about two hundred and twenty metres, modest by mountain standards but the largest ski area in Ontario and heavily used because of Toronto's proximity. Jozo Weider, a Czech immigrant, started it in 1941. A pedestrian village of shops, restaurants and lodging was built at the base from 1999 on the model of resort villages in the Rockies. In summer the hill runs a mountain coaster on rails, a ridge runner, mountain biking, a gondola and a treetop course, which keeps the village busy year-round.

What you actually see

• The escarpment slopes - Ontario's largest ski area above Georgian Bay.
• The pedestrian village - a purpose-built base village from 1999.
• The mountain coaster - a rail-guided ride down the slope in summer.
• The Georgian Bay view - the water from the top of the escarpment.

When to go

December to March for skiing, which depends heavily on snowmaking in warm winters; June to September for the summer attractions. Weekends from Toronto are crowded in both seasons.

Honest expectations

The vertical is small and warm winters have shortened seasons badly. The village is a commercial development, not a historic town. Weekend crowds and lift queues from Toronto are heavy.

Nearby

Wasaga Beach lies east; Collingwood is at the base.