We’re just a week into winter and while the snow is nowhere to be found in the city, several ski resorts just outside the GTA are already well into their season.
Although Ontario isn’t exactly known for its “mountains”, there are still a number of great destinations for skiing with relatively large hills to zip down this winter.
Check out this list of 5 exciting ski hills near Toronto to visit this season.
1. Blue Mountain
Roughly 2.5 hours north of Toronto, Ontario’s largest and arguably most popular ski resort is perfect for all skill levels, offering 42 runs, 11 chairlifts, and 3 freestyle terrains for those more advanced. If you aren’t a skier, there is still so much to do, including ice skating, tubing, spas, and a charming village full of buzzy restaurants, shops, cafes, and more.
2. Mount St. Louis Moonstone
Nice and close just over an hour’s drive from the city, Mount St. Louis Moonstone offers 35 runs and 12 lifts for skiers and snowboarders. You can easily visit this hill for a morning or afternoon day trip with its proximity to Toronto. There are no overnight accommodations at Mount St. Louis however, something to keep in mind if you were planning an overnight trip.
3. Horseshoe Resort
Go for the day or spend the night at Horseshoe Resort in Barrie, which is around a 1.5 hour drive from Toronto. The hill has 29 runs, a half pipe for snowboarders, and one of the best tubing hills in the province. After hitting the slopes, relax at the resort’s spa.
4. Lakeridge Resort
With 21 runs and 3 terrain parks to check out, Lakeridge caters to all levels and abilities just over an hour’s drive away in Uxbridge. There’s also a great tubing hill for another way to get your winter thrills in.
5. Hockley Valley Resort
Hockley Valley is an all-season destination for outdoor activities, with golfing, biking, skiing, a spa, and resort all in one. During the winter, they have 15 runs and four ski lifts to choose from, and is located in Orangeville just an hour and a half drive from the city.
Due to the mild temperatures so far, it’s best to check ahead to see how many runs each resort currently has open to avoid disappointment.