The Ultimate Ontario Ski Resort Guide: 2020/2021

Ski season is almost here!!! Skiers and snowboarders in Central Ontario have an array of winter sports options with several ski resorts located close to Toronto.

With winter weather and snow on the way, we were thrilled to learn that ski resorts in Ontario will be able to operate for the 2020/2021 season with Covid-19 preventative measures in place.

Skiing and snowboarding is naturally a socially distanced outdoor sport! And open outdoor spaces in the fresh air is mentally and physically invigorating, something that we all could use after the past 9 months!!

To help your family prepare for this years ski season, we’ve put together this Ultimate Central Ontario Ski Resort Guide listing the Covid-19 preventative measures that have been put in place to help you ski safely this winter!

Disclaimer: Please check with the ski resort directly if you have any questions and for updates throughout the ski season. The information listed in this guide is subject to change based on updated Provincial Covid-19 Health Guidelines.

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Ski resorts have been working hard over the past several months to follow the Covid-19 guidelines recommended by the Province of Ontario.

Here are some of the common preventative measures that you can expect at ski resorts across Ontario this winter:

Physical Distancing: The number of people visiting ski hills will be greatly reduced with limits on the amount of daily ski lift tickets being sold.

Cleanliness: There will be hand sanitizing stations and extra cleaning of facilities throughout the day by ski hill staff.

Face Coverings: Will be required in all indoor buildings and also outdoors where groups of people congregate (at ticket booths, when in line for and while riding the chairlift etc). Some ski resorts are requiring masks to be worn on the hill as well.

Chair Lifts: Guests will self-group and load chairlifts with their traveling party. If you arrive together, you are asked to ride together. Lift attendants will not require guests to ride a chairlift with people they do not know.

Trace Contact Information: Will be required from each guest at time of lift ticket purchase, lesson purchase or before being seated in restaurants.

Ski resorts will also have their own specific procedures in regards to purchasing lift tickets, ski rentals, lessons, lockers and dining. We’ve listed each of them below in our Ultimate Central Ontario Ski Resort Guide!

Blue Mountain, Collingwood

Blue Mountain is the largest ski resort in Ontario, located 2 hours from Toronto. It has the feel of a European style village with shops, restaurants and accommodations located at the base of the ski hill.

• LOCATION: 190 Gord Canning Drive, Blue Mountain

• LIFT TICKETS: Priority will be given to season’s pass holders and ski lift tickets purchased online in advance. A limited number of same day lift tickets will be available to purchase online, however, walk-up ticket sales will not be available.

• SKI RENTALS: It’s recommended that ski rentals be purchased in advance online.

• LESSONS: Participants will be required to complete a health screening prior to their lesson. It’s recommended that day lesson programs be booked in advance of arrival to ensure access to the hill.

• LOCKERS: Paid day lockers are available for rental.

• DINING: Restaurants are open but with limited capacity and advance reservations are recommended.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: The Woodview mountaintop skating loop, snow tubing and snowshoe trails will be available this season.  

For more information, visit their website at: https://www.bluemountain.ca/things-to-do/skiing-and-boarding

Brimacombe Ski Resort, Oshawa

Brimacombe caters to the traditional skier, as well as the snowboarder who wants to jib all day long in one of their terrain parks.

• LOCATION: 4098 Regional Road 9 in Orono

• LIFT TICKETS: It will be possible to make an online reservation on the day of your visit, but there is no guarantee of the availability of tickets. Those wishing to hit the slopes are strongly encouraged to plan ahead by purchasing their lift tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased up to 5 days in advance. Walk-up lift tickets will not be available for purchase.

• SKI RENTALS: Equipment rentals will be offered by reservation only, due to reduced capacity in the rental shop. It is recommended that you make your equipment reservation in advance.

• LESSONS: In order to improve physical distancing, the number of overall lesson spots at each time has been reduced as well as creating additional meeting areas. During lessons, parents and other family members will not be able to stay to watch their children in lessons.

• LOCKERS: Lockers and cubbies will not be available for use at this time and no bags will be allowed to stay in the chalets. All personal items must be stored in your vehicle.

• DINING: Take-out food services will continue to operate in the upper levels of both chalets, with weekend-only service at the West Chalet and 6-day service at the East Chalet. Additional outdoor seating has been created and additional outdoor food options may be available. No bagged lunches will be allowed in the chalets. In the upper level, they may have limited indoor seating for advanced booking at set time periods and may only be booked by those purchasing food in our chalet.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Downhill skiing only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://brimacombe.ca/

Dagmar Ski Resort, Uxbridge

Dagmar caters to families and beginners with their Family Learning Center and their Terrain Parks are the largest in the Durham Region.

• LOCATION: 1220 Lake Ridge Road, Uxbridge

• LIFT TICKETS: Lift tickets will be available for pre-purchase online. Onsite lift ticket sales will be limited, due to resort capacity limits.

• SKI RENTALS: Rentals will be available for online pre-purchase only.

• LESSONS: Lessons and programs for activities will be available for pre-purchase online.

• LOCKERS: Daily Locker Rentals and limited shelving will be available on a first come first served basis, if necessary. Please use your car as much as possible for changing clothing and equipment and eating your packed lunch. 

• DINING: Tables will be secured for Dagmar food and beverage purchases only. You may be escorted to appropriately sanitized tables to enjoy your food. Homemade meals, bagged lunches or food not purchased from our cafeteria is NOT allowed in chalet due to government restrictions and limited seating capacity. Outdoor picnic areas are available. Take-out is available at the restaurant and will be accessible with a limited menu. There may be long waits during certain time and days

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Downhill skiing only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://www.skidagmar.com/

Hidden Valley Highlands, Huntsville

Hidden Valley, located close to Deerhurst Resort, is steeped in tradition of providing families with exceptional ski experiences in a warm and friendly family atmosphere.

• LOCATION: 1655 Hidden Valley Road, Huntsville 

• LIFT TICKETS: Daily lift tickets will be sold online and in advance this season. Currently, they do not expect walk-up lift tickets to be available this winter. All tickets will be tracked to assist in contact tracing.

• SKI RENTALS: Must be purchased online in advance.

• LESSONS: Must be booked online in advance. Ski and snowboard programs and lessons will have reduced group sizes and some lessons may be modified to meet social distancing guidelines.

• LOCKERS: Daily lockers will not be available for the 2020/2021 season. No bags will be stored in the chalets. Be prepared to store them in your vehicle.

• DINING: Their fully-licensed cafeteria is located on the second level of the Chalet and is open daily 

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Downhill skiing only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://skihiddenvalley.ca/

Hockley Valley, Orangeville

At the time of publishing this blog post, Hockley Valley was still working on their Covid-19 procedures for the upcoming ski season.

• LOCATION: 793522 3rd Line EHS, Mono, ON

• LIFT TICKETS: Lift tickets can be purchased at the outdoor kiosk.

• SKI RENTALS: Access to the Rental Building will be controlled, with physical distancing measures in place. Capacity is limited for all indoor areas.

• LESSONS: The number of participants in their Snow School programs have been reduced to allow for proper distancing in meeting areas and to provide small class sizes. Guests will be required to book any private lessons in advance.

• LOCKERS: Will not be available this season. Please store your items in your vehicle.

• DINING: Access to the Ski Café, Aida Room, Restaurant 85, and Rental Building will be controlled, with physical distancing measures in place. Capacity is limited for all indoor areas. Bagged lunches are not permitted in any of our indoor areas this season. Outdoor eating areas are available. No lunch bag storage is available.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Downhill skiing only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://hockley.com/ski-snowboarding/

Horseshoe Resort, Barrie

Located outside of Barrie and just one hour north of Toronto, Horseshoe Resort is a top destination for family winter fun.

• LOCATION: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Road West, Barrie

• LIFT TICKETS: In an effort to reduce on hill capacity, a limited number of lift tickets will be available each day. Priority access will be given to season pass holders, ski & stay guests and advance lift ticket purchasers.

Lift ticket kiosks and ticket desks will be available outside for those who do not require rentals or lessons. It is strongly recommended that guests purchase lift tickets in advance, as walk-up/day-of lift ticket purchases are not guaranteed.

• SKI RENTALS: A limited number of guests will be allowed in the rentals area at one time. This season, the regular rentals room will only house boots, helmets and poles in order to allow for ample physical distancing and a better process flow. Heated shipping containers will be located outside of the rentals area and will house skis and snowboards. Guests will be directed to the shipping containers after they have picked up their boots, helmet and poles inside.

• LESSONS: Students will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening prior to the start of each lesson. Class sizes will be smaller in order to ensure adequate physical distancing.

• LOCKERS: Change rooms and lockers will not be available to the general public; guests will be required to arrive at the resort in their gear and will need to leave personal belongings in their vehicles.

• DINING: Controlled access and reduced capacity will be in effect in all food and beverage outlets (Crazy Horse Sports Bar & Grill, Eleven01 Taphouse + Kitchen, Shoe Brew, Alpine Cafeteria and Nordic Cafeteria).

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Snow tubing, Snowshoeing, Fat Biking, Cross Country Skiing, Slopeside Skating will be available by advance/reserved bookings only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://horseshoeresort.com/ski/

Lakeridge Ski Resort, Uxbridge

Lakeridge is a family friendly ski resort located less than 70km from Downtown Toronto and nestled in the beautiful Oak Ridges Moraine.

• LOCATION: 790 Chalk Lake Road (off Lakeridge Road / Durham 23), Uxbridge

• LIFT TICKETS: Are available at the ski hill for purchase. We suggest arriving early in the day to avoid disappointment if resort capacity is reached.

• SKI RENTALS: Are available to purchase at the ski hill. The rental facility will abide to physical distancing and cleaning measures.

• LESSONS: Physical Distancing between staff and guests and when it cannot be achieved during a lesson: Use of PPE, face coverings, goggles, and gloves for winter are mandatory. There will be no walk in lessons. Lessons must be booked in advance.

• LOCKERS: A limited amount of daily coin operated lockers will be available to rent.

• DINING: Is available with time limits at tables. Homemade meals or any food not purchased from our cafeteria is NOT allowed in chalet due to limited restaurant seating. Take-out and picnic areas are available.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Snow tubing

For more information, visit their website at: http://ski-lakeridge.com/

Mount St. Louis Moonstone, Coldwater

Mount St. Louis Moonstone is a family friendly ski resort that accommodates both beginner and advanced skiers and snowboarders.

• LOCATION: 24 Mount St. Louis Road West, R. R. 4, Coldwater

• LIFT TICKETS: There will be no walk-up sales for lift tickets for the 20/21 season. All purchases must be made in advance online. This includes daily lift tickets.

• SKI RENTALS: All ski rentals must be purchased in advance online. Their newly redesigned rental department will allow guests to obtain rental equipment in a safe and distanced environment.

• LESSONS: The 20/21 season will begin with private/semi-private lessons for related parties in groups up to five. Recurring, 8-week programs will be available starting in 2021 and further information on spaces and sale dates will be provided at a later date. Lessons must be booked in advance.

• LOCKERS: There will be no daily locker access to guests this season. Please leave any valuables or belongings in your car. Bags and lunches will not be permitted in any of the indoor chalet spaces.

• DINING: The dining spaces have been reconfigured and maximized for guests while offering expanded grab-and-go menu items. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lunch and eat it in their car. Bagged lunches are not permitted in the chalet.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Downhill skiing only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://mountstlouis.com/

Sir Sams, Haliburton

Fresh powder, challenging elevations, breathtaking views and friendly staff are waiting for you at Sir Sam’s.

• LOCATION: 1054 Liswood Road, Eagle Lake 

• LIFT TICKETS: Purchase lift tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment as tickets sold daily from the window may be limited. All guests must purchase/reserve prior to their arrival, and purchases/reservations must be made by 11:59 the day before your visit.

• SKI RENTALS: Rentals are available for purchase at the ski hill.

• LESSONS: Their camp, program, and private lesson booking process must be made through their website and lessons cannot booked at the hill.

• LOCKERS: To minimize indoor traffic, indoor bag and gear storage will not be available with the exception of those who have rented lockers.

• DINING:  Chalet food service will be restaurant-style this year with directed seating and wait staff.  Outside food will be not permitted in the chalet or assigned seating areas. Outdoor dining capacity has been increased adding a new takeaway window and heated dining tent behind the chalet, along with additional picnic tables provided around the base of the hill.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Snowshoeing. Snowshoe Passes and Time Tunnel – Lower Half passes, along with individual component rentals to be purchased on-site.

For more information, visit their website at: http://sirsams.com/

Snow Valley Resort, Minesing

Snow Valley Ski Resort focuses on families learning to ski and snowboard.

• LOCATION: 2632 Vespra Valley Rd, Midhurst

• LIFT TICKETS: All purchases of daily lift tickets must be made in advance online by visiting their website. Tickets will be available for purchase by the end of November for the entire season. There will be no walk up ski lift purchases available.

• SKI RENTALS: Guests will be required to pre-book their rental in advance online by visiting their website. There will be no walk up rentals available.

• LESSONS: The number of participants in their Snow School programs have been reduced to allow for proper distancing in meeting areas. Lessons must be booked in advance.

• LOCKERS: Day lockers will not be available this season. Please store your items in your vehicle.

• DINING: Have been reconfigured to maximize dining spaces for guests. Bagged lunches are not permitted in any of the chalets this season.

• OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES: Snow tubing and snowshoeing will be available with advance online ticket purchases only.

For more information, visit their website at: https://www.skisnowvalley.com/

Final Thoughts and Ski Resort Tips

It’s going to be a very different ski season this winter and unlike anything that we’ve experienced before. We’ve put together a list of tips to help you have a more enjoyable day on the ski hill this season:

• PURCHASE A SEASON’S PASS: Especially if you plan to ski at your favourite resort often. Season’s pass holders will have priority access to the ski hill.

• PURCHASE EVERYTHING IN ADVANCE: Buy your lift tickets, ski rentals and lessons as far in advance as possible. Don’t wait until the morning of your visit to buy them to avoid the disappointment of being sold out.

• BE PATIENT: With new procedures in place, there will be kinks for ski resorts to work out, especially at the start of the season. Be prepared for longer line ups for everything. Arrive early!

• BRING SNACKS TO KEEP IN YOUR VEHICLE: The wait to get in to eat at the cafeteria or restaurant might be long and there’s nothing worse than skiing with people who are “hangry” (especially when they are “hangry” kids).

• STAY HOME: Don’t visit the ski hill if you or a member of your family are ill. Ski resorts have spent a lot of time and money putting Covid preventative measures in place and it would be a shame for everyone if they have to close mid-season because of an outbreak.

Get out there this winter, support your local ski hill and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of skiing this winter! We hope to see you on the slopes!

Are you planning to spend more time outdoors this winter? If so, we’d love to hear about your winter activity plans in the comments section.