Ontario ski hills roll out deals, concerts and camps for March break
March 4, 2011
Adam Bisby
TORONTO STAR
It is the epitome of controlled chaos: three dozen kids aged 2-6 skiing down the gentle slopes next to Blue Mountain’s spacious Kids at Blue Centre.
It’s chaotic because many of the smiling children have never been on skis before and the planks on their feet take them wherever gravity dictates. It’s controlled because staff are scattered down the hill to catch wayward youngsters and offer tips or comfort — “hands on your knees, Jimmy,” “try to stand up, Jenny” — before righting their course and sending them downhill again.
For nervous parents watching from the bottom, the experience is more comically gratifying than worrisome. And given the well-managed mayhem on the hill, it’s not surprising the centre has a strict “no-parents-allowed” policy. Imagine adding camcorder-wielding moms or dads to the mix.
With Ontario March Break on the horizon, the centre — and Blue Mountain in general — is gearing up for the annual influx of school-age youngsters and their families, says Kayla Gilbert, who leads the Kids at Blue team. “March Break is one of our busiest times. It’s fun, but it’s go-go-go.”
Indeed, the full- and half-day Kids Camps for ages 3-5 and 6-12 (ranging from $65-$125) are fully booked on March Break weekdays, with some spots still available over the two weekends.
Like Blue, many Ontario ski resorts are rolling out a range of special offers and events to entice both overnight guests and day-trippers. Here’s a look at what’s on tap at ski hills near the GTA:
BLUE MOUNTAIN
Including the aforementioned Kids Camps, Pepsi March Break Week at Ontario’s largest ski resort is a three-pronged affair:
• For overnight guests, a discounted package available from March 13-17 includes accommodations, full-day lift tickets and breakfast for guests of the Blue Mountain Inn. It starts at $256 a night (based on adult double occupancy and a two-night minimum stay), and gets even cheaper for kids aged 17 and under, as their lift tickets are just $39.
• Then there’s a host of free events at Blue over the week, including “Badland’s Golden Ticket,” in which kids aged 16 and under can try out for a ski or snowboard gear sponsorship in the terrain park. The Spring Rocks Concert Series, meanwhile, runs March 14-17 in the resort village with performances by the likes of Bedouin Soundclash, Stereos and ill Scarlett.
HORSESHOE
Like Blue, this resort north of Barrie isn’t tweaking its daily ski-school offerings during March Break, ranging from programs centred on the Kids Korral facility (starting at $30 for a half day) to packages that include lift tickets, rentals, and lessons ($460 for five full days). Unlike Blue, there was still weekday availability at press time.
The week’s special events — which have yet to be finalized — will culminate in the “Grom Games” on March 18, a series of morning terrain park lessons followed by a fun competition in the afternoon showcasing learned skills.
Then, on March 19, there’s the final “Moonlight Ski” of the year, a cross-country schuss through the lantern-lit Copeland Forest from 6 to 10 p.m., with plenty of stops for hot apple cider, for $12 a person.
DAGMAR
In addition to a $265 March Break ski camp for kids aged 3 and up ($265 for two-hour lessons over four days), this resort north of Ajax is offering adults a price break with a week of skiing any time in March for $154.87 — that’s less than half the price of seven regular lift tickets.
ELSEWHERE IN THE EAST
MONT TREMBLANT:
This is Toronto’s fly-in, fly-out ski area. With several flights weekly on Porter Airlines, Quebec’s liveliest downhill resort is 70 minutes away. Voted tops in the East by Ski Magazine for 14 years, Tremblant scored for its charming slope-side village, efficient lifts and sparkling apres-ski. The latest dining news is Altitude, an upscale grill at the Casino de Mont-Tremblant, Canada’s only ski-in, ski-out gambling house. On the slopes, the chilling Expo trail still is the one to conquer. The first-ever Tremblant Telus Sïkwâm (Algonquin for spring ice) will feature deals on lodging and lifts plus spectacular big-air competitions, family fun, free outdoor concerts and foodie festivities (weekends, March 18 -April 10). Adult day ticket: $75; vertical of 645 meters; terrain: 654 acres; www.trembant.ca.
MONT SUTTON:
A pastoral mountain in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, it’s exceptional for its glade skiing, great prices and major moguls. With 40-per-cent of its terrain carved through snow-tipped birches, hemlocks and maples, Sutton is a unique experience where skiing meets nature. This family-friendly area is marking its 50th year with all-terrain lessons, a learning park and ski ambassadors. Four summit chalets ensure you never are far from a fireplace or a hot chocolate. Adult day ticket: $60; vertical of 460 metres; terrain: 175 acres; www.montsutton.com.
LE MASSIF:
Quebec’s wunderkind is known for its stunning views of the St Lawrence River, the longest vertical in Eastern Canada, and an exceptional snowfall. Here you’ll find groomed bunny boulevards, the humbling steeps of La Charlevoix and rugged back-country territory. With a recent $16 million investment, Le Massif has added four trails and an eight-passenger gondola. Adult day ticket: $64; vertical of 770 metres; terrain: 401 acres; www.lemassif.com.
MONT SAINTE-ANNE:
There’s a fresh new look to this Quebec classic. The gondola has been refurbished, a rollicking boarder-cross course has been added to the terrain park and novices have a new magic-carpet lift – the longest in Eastern Canada. The Chateau Mont-Sainte-Anne also has transformed the base area with a new wing of high-tech, contemporary suites and a conference centre. Adult day ticket: $64; vertical of 625 meters (includes Canada’s highest vertical skiing); terrain: 465 acres; www.mont-sainte-anne.com.
STOWE:
Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont, the most ambitious tourism development in the northeast, continues its sweeping expansion with the new Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center and the luxurious Stowe Mountain Lodge, now 312 suites. This adds to a handsome skier’s chalet, a major spa and new intermediate trails. All of this plush living mellows Stowe’s reputation for steep runs and killer bumps on Mount Mansfield, but they’re still there, too. Adult day ticket: $84-89 U.S.; vertical of 719 metres (2,360 ft.); terrain: 485 acres; www.stowe.com.
KILLINGTON:
This Vermont spot is a downhill area steeped in superlatives. Start with the largest amount of terrain in the northeast with lots of steeps and bumps and the highest vertical drop in New England. The East’s only Burton Stash is a snow park with 50 jumps, pipes, jibs and rails. New this year is a gourmet adventure in a yurt, complete with sleigh ride and live saxophone music. Adult day ticket: $79-86 U.S.; vertical of 929 metres (3,050 ft.); terrain: 752 acres; www.killington.com.
For information on Ontario ski camps, go to our website: www.thestar.com/travel
With files from Rochelle Lash