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The Best Places to Ski in Ontario This Winter

Searching for the best places to ski in Ontario? If you’re thinking about the best skiing in Canada, the mountains in Alberta and British Columbia might come to mind, or you might decide to visit the world-class ski resort, Mont Tremblant in Quebec. Even though Ontario doesn’t have huge mountains, there are plenty of excellent ski hills to visit.

Don’t overlook the province of Ontario when it comes to skiing. There are many great places for skiing and snowboarding in Ontario.

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Places to Ski in Ontario

There are ski hills in Ontario that are great for beginners and the experienced. Ontario ski resorts that are true getaways with fine dining restaurants and relaxing spas. Many ski resorts near Toronto and Ottawa make for the perfect weekend escape. Here are the best spots to ski in Ontario, including top Ontario ski resorts.

Ontario Ski Resorts: Blue Mountain Resort

Blue Mountain in Collingwood is one of the best places to ski in Ontario and one of the most popular ski resorts in Canada. In fact, it is the third most popular after Whistler-Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant. I definitely rate it as one of the best Ontario ski resorts, if not the best one in the province.

There are 43 runs, 30 lit night trails, and 7 chairlifts with a vertical terrain of 720 feet. The ski hills range from beginner to expert, including double black diamond runs. If you’re looking for where to ski in Ontario, Blue Mountain may very well be your top choice.

This Ontario ski resort is a self-contained community with a pedestrian village, condos, meeting areas for conferences, an indoor-outdoor spa, pubs, restaurants, and nightlife. As Blue Mountain is very popular, be sure to book your stay well in advance.

While there are many hotels at Blue Mountain, I suggest staying at the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain, a luxurious property in the pedestrian village.

Best Skiing in Ontario: Mount St. Louis Moonstone

Man skiing

Mount St. Louis Moonstone in Barrie is a great choice if you’re looking for ski resorts near Toronto, as it takes only about an hour to drive there. There are 35 runs and 12 lifts, with a vertical terrain of 550 feet. There are several hills for beginners, intermediate skiers, and those who are advanced with several black diamond runs.

I can tell you from my own experiences that this is a great place to learn how to ski in Ontario. Mount St. Louis Moonstone was the first place I ever went skiing in Ontario. My middle school used to take a field trip there once a year, and I learned how to ski when I was back in grade six. This is one of the best places to ski in Ontario for the whole family.

While Mount St. Louis Moonstone has some of the best skiing in Ontario, they don’t offer on-site accommodations. However, you can stay in the nearby city of Orillia. I suggest staying in Orillia at The Champlain Waterfront Hotel when planning a ski day or weekend at Mount St. Louis.

Calabogie Peaks near Ottawa, ON

Calabogie Peaks is one of the Ontario ski resorts closest to our nation’s capital, Ottawa. Though Calabogie Peaks may have fewer runs (29 in total) than Blue Mountain and Mount St. Louis Moonstone, it does feature the highest vertical drop of public ski hills in Ontario at 780 feet.

Though there is a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, Calabogie features the longest green trail in Ontario that’s ideal for beginners. So, for the beginners in the crowd, you’ll find that Calabogie Peaks has the best skiing in Ontario. For those looking for a challenge, you’ll find the highest ski hill in Ontario. Regardless, it’s my top choice for ski resorts near Ottawa.

If you’d like to spend the night at Calabogie Peaks, you can stay on site at the full-service boutique hotel, Calabogie Peaks Hotel. They have many fabulous amenities like an indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, fitness centre, and casual fine dining at Canthooks Restaurant.

Searchmont Resort near Sault Ste. Marie

Searchmpnt Ontario

Searchmont Resort is right near Sault Ste. Marie, offering one of the best places to ski in Ontario up in the north of the province. There are 26 runs here ideal for beginners and experts, 10 of which are more than 1km long. There’s also a 703 foot vertical drop.

Similar to many other resorts, night skiing is offered here for a unique experience (just make sure you bundle up!). If you’re truly new to the sport, you can take lessons here.

Since Searchmont is farther north, you will find more real snow here earlier in the season if you’re dying to ski as soon as possible. Over the last 10 years, the region has an annual average of 132″ of real snow – that’s a lot! For the sheer amount of snow and winter fun alone, you’ll find some of the best snowboarding and skiing in Ontario.

It’s possible to stay on site at Searchmont Resort. However, if you’re not looking to stay at a chalet on the property, there are lots of other nearby accommodations in Sault Ste Marie. Choose a waterfront hotel in the middle of the city for a fabulous location with excellent views like the Delta Hotels Sault Ste Marie Waterfront.

Places to Ski in Ontario: Horseshoe Resort

Horseshoe Resort near Orillia is one of the best places to ski in Ontario that’s near Toronto and other major cities in southern Ontario. Horseshoe Resort has 29 runs and 8 lifts. The mountain is only 308 feet tall, making it a great place for beginners or those just looking for a fun outing.

The resort is known for more than just skiing and snowboarding. There are activities all year round like treetop trekking, segway tours, mountain biking trails, snowshoeing, an Ogo run (zorbing), zip lines, and a rock climbing wall.

Justin and I haven’t gone skiing here, but we had a blast going snow tubing! There are four tubing tracks and we had an absolute riot flying down the hill. Believe me, those tubes go FAST!

Horseshoe Resort offers amazing accommodations with lots of on-site amenities. You won’t need to leave the resort during your stay because there’s so much to see and do. I recommend making a weekend of it. It’s one of the top ski resorts near Toronto, only a short drive away.

Skiing at Glen Eden

Looking for a local place to go skiing near Toronto? Glen Eden in Milton might not be home to the highest or longest ski runs in Ontario, but it’s a fun place to ski for the day. This is a family-friendly Ontario ski hill that’s also a wonderful place to learn how to ski.

Glen Eden has 10 runs that are a mix of green, blue and black diamond. There are four learning hills (aka bunny hills) with magic carpets and a total of three lifts. It’s possible to rent skis and snowboards at Glen Eden, go skiing for the day or purchase season passes.

Glen Eden isn’t a ski resort, but has three food stations to fuel up for the day. While it’s likely that you’re pretty local to the hill and will head home in the evening, you can always make a night or weekend of it by staying at the nearby Holiday Inn Express.

Skiing in Ontario for Kids: Snow Valley Barrie

Snow Valley Barrie

Snow Valley Barrie is one of the best places to go skiing with kids in Ontario. They offer family-friendly skiing and snowboarding in the province, including rental equipment and ski lessons. In fact, Snow Valley has one of the largest ski and snowboarding schools in Ontario to help children and families learn how to ski safely.

Snow Valley has 20 runs and 9 lifts. They also have a large snow tubing park with 14 snow tubing chutes. It’s also possible to go snowshoeing here and winter ziplining, which is quite unique. Gather up the whole family and spend a day experiencing winter activities and sports together.

Ski Resorts Ontario: Best Winter Weekend Getaways

While it’s fun to go skiing for the day, why not make it a weekend? Embrace the winter and choose a fun-filled escape with friends, family, or a romantic getaway.

Not a fan of skiing or snowboarding? You can still have tons of outdoors fun in the winter through snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating, and more. Here are a few ways to enjoy the outdoors in Ontario in the wintertime:

We went on a winter trip to Northern Edge Algonquin and had a blast. And it wasn’t only winter sports…we ate delicious, home cooked meals and stayed in a cozy cabin with a wood burning fireplace.

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Kayla

Tuesday 15th of January 2019

Antoine mountain best kept secret!

Mary {The World Is A Book}

Tuesday 27th of January 2015

This was enlightening. I wasn't aware of these ski resorts in Ontario. How great that two of them are within an hour's drive from a major city like Toronto. We love Whistler and if given a choice, my husband would go there every year. This opened some options for us to discover on the other side of Canada. I retired from skiing but my husband and son are snowboarders and my daughter is a skier. I'm more content sitting in the warmth of a lodge with a hot chocolate now :)

Jenna

Sunday 25th of January 2015

These all sound like great spots to ski! I've never been snowboarding other than a quick failed attempt, but I do always love to ski. I will have to visit some of these sometime soon!

Hannah

Saturday 24th of January 2015

We usually tend to go to the Quebec side, but that's only because there are a bunch of good spots just over the river. My favourite closeby spot is Camp Fortune. :)

Alli

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

I don't do any outdoor winter sports except skating and cross country skiing! The last time I went downhill skiing I flew into a tree, luckily I was terrible so really not going that fast or down a huge hill, but I am terrified to go skiing again but have always been really wanting to give it another shot. I think I'd try Blue Mountain ;) I've been in the village before but never to their ski hills . . . yet!