10 of the best places to ski in Ontario

Northwest Ontario

Loch Lomond Ski Area

Highlight: best value

Lift tickets at big resorts cost a pretty penny these days, with many full-day passes costing upwards of $100. Of course, small ski areas are more affordable, but they don’t provide the same services or range of runs. If you want a balance of great skiing at a more reasonable price, look to Loch Lomond Ski Area, located just 10 minutes outside Thunder Bay and nestled within the Nor’Wester Mountains.

Full-day lift tickets cost just $65 when purchased in advance online. The ski area offers 18 runs (the longest of which is 2.4 kilometres), three chair lifts, a terrain park, night skiing and a long season—last year’s ran from the beginning of December until almost the end of April.

Location: 1800 Loch Lomond Road, Thunder Bay

Plan your trip

• Loch Lomond guests can book a stay at the Best Western Plus Nor’Wester Hotel, just five minutes from the hill, for 25% off.
• Eat at the North Face Lounge & Restaurant, located on the upper floor of the chalet.
• Refuel after your day on the slopes at The Neebing Roadhouse, just across from the Best Western.

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma

Algoma Region

Highlight: best backcountry skiing

While this isn’t a specific resort, some of the best backcountry skiing conditions in the province are found in the Algoma Region—there’s a reason the southwestern portion of the region is referred to as the Lake Superior snowbelt. Pair ample snowfall with the hilly wilderness terrain and you’ve got a recipe for awesome, powdery backcountry laps.

Several chalets and lodges near Sault Ste. Marie provide access to backcountry skiing opportunities.

Plan your trip

• Ski through 200 metres of vertical and 400 hectares of maintained forest property at Bellevue Valley Lodge. The lodge offers guided backcountry tours or self-guided entry to the snow-covered trails. Guests staying on the property get free trail access.
• Stay at Stokely Creek Lodge for an all-inclusive winter vacation in the heart of Goulais River. Follow the marked Nordic ski trails to access King Mountain, a local hot spot with incredible powder and 600 metres of vertical area to hike and ski through naturally occurring glades.
• After a long day of skiing in one of Ontario’s best-kept backcountry secrets, enjoy a pint of Guinness and some Patchos (Irish nachos) at Mulligans Irish Pub in Sault Ste. Marie.

Searchmont Resort

Highlight: best for snow

Powder snow is a phenomenon few Ontario skiers have experienced—but not for those who have been to Searchmont Resort, 40 minutes northeast of Sault Ste. Marie.

Located within the Lake Superior snowbelt, Searchmont has received an average snowfall of 332 inches annually over the last 10 years.

And you won’t have to wait in line to experience it. With four chairlifts and 26 runs (10 of which are one kilometre or longer), there’s plenty of space for everyone at the resort, meaning you’ll be able to clock run after run until your legs give out. And even then, you can head out for more, as the resort also offers night skiing.

Location: 103 Searchmont Resort Road, Searchmont

Plan your trip

• Book a stay at Searchmont’s recently renovated accommodations—the slopeside suites provide a cozy retreat and ski-in, ski-out access to the hill.
• Eat at Searchmont’s The Kiln restaurant; check their social media page to see when you can enjoy live entertainment at the restaurant.
• If staying or passing through the Soo, buy the Sault Cultural Attractions Pass to gain access to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, Sault Ste. Marie Museum and Art Gallery of Algoma.

Northeastern Ontario

Antoine Mountain

Highlight: longest run

Located just north of Mattawa, Antoine Mountain features a series of 15 beginner to advanced-level ski runs, unbelievable views of the Northeastern Ontario landscape and Ontario’s longest ski run. At almost three kilometres long, this run allows skiers and riders to cruise groomed sections of the mountain for an average of six to 10 minutes.

Location: 596 Highway 656, Mattawa

Plan your trip

• Stay at Le Voyageur Inn to take advantage of the Slopes, Sights & Sleep Package deal and on-site restaurant.
• Enjoy après ski eats at the mountain’s licensed Antoine Eatery or visit the Cardinal Restaurant at the Mattawa River Resort.
• Antoine Mountain also offers a full-service rental centre for any necessary tune-ups or equipment.

Mount Jamieson Resort

Highlight: best for families

Winding runs, snow-covered pine trees and views for days at Mount Jamieson Resort will make you feel like you’ve taken the family to the mini-Rockies for a ski holiday. While ski resorts in the southern portion of the province are notorious for icy, slick conditions, Mount Jamieson—located northwest of Timmins—gets no shortage of snow each winter, making for excellent ski conditions for young ones who are still learning (and falling).

A range of runs means the whole family can learn and challenge themselves, and the terrain park has features suitable for everyone, no matter their age or proclivity for adrenaline.

The ski area is exceptionally family-friendly in its prices as well. There are two season pass options for families: a family of three season pass for $1,440.39 and a family of four season pass for $1,580.79. There is typically a sale on these prices each spring. A full-day complete rental package will cost you just $49.50 per person.

A season pass will also grant your family access to the tubing park, or you can purchase tickets separately. For extra fun, plan a getaway in early April so your kids can take part in the annual soapbox derby—a downhill race in “cars” built only using cardboard, tape and zip ties.

Location: 5050 Kamiskotia Road, Timmins

Plan your trip

• Stop by the resort’s restaurant, The Kam Eatery, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The resort also has two bars: an indoor bar called The Tbar and a hilltop outdoor bar called The Foggy Goggle.
• Book a stay at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Timmins—after all, no family getaway is complete without a swim in an indoor pool.
• Eat at Siva’s Family Restaurant in Timmins, a long-standing fixture in the community with menu options for kids.

Laurentian Ski Hill

Highlight: little hill, big heart

Laurentian Ski Hill is a small ski area with stunning Northern Ontario views and conditions, and it is easily accessible, as it’s located on the edge of North Bay. A full-day adult lift ticket costs just $55, and a family of four can ski for $200.

There are 12 runs, including a tiny glade and terrain park, which Laurentian boasts to be Northern Ontario’s longest and best. There is also a lower and upper lodge, making hot chocolate and French fry breaks with kids a breeze.

Location: 15 Janey Avenue, North Bay

Plan your trip

• Stay at the newly opened Fairfield Inn & Suites North Bay and enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast and an indoor pool.
• Eat at The Block Public House, offering farm-to-table dishes and a hip atmosphere
• Bundle up and explore North Bay on foot, following the self-guided Downtown Art 
  Tour.

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Hidden Valley Highlands

Highlight: best for beginners

Located in Huntsville, in the heart of Muskoka, Hidden Valley Highlands is a welcoming and picturesque ski resort. With 60% beginner and 23% intermediate runs, Hidden Valley Highlands is a great getaway choice for beginner skiers and snowboarders, providing lots of variety for learning and easing into more difficult runs.

While there are plenty of beginner-friendly resorts in the southern part of the province, skiing in Muskoka means you’ll enjoy real snow, a longer season and northern views.

Location: 1655 Hidden Valley Road, Huntsville

Plan your trip

• Eat at the resort’s on-site restaurant, The Birches, which features locally sourced products.
• Book a room right at the resort and enjoy the indoor heated pool and sauna.
• Or, stay at nearby Deerhurst Resort and get 10 percent off lift tickets. During your stay, you can book a variety of treatments at the on-site, full-service Amba Spa.

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Calabogie Peaks Resort

Highlight: highest vertical drop

With the arrival of snowy winter, Ottawa Valley locals head to the small town of Calabogie to ski and ride at Calabogie Peaks Resort. With two chairlifts, 24 groomed trails and a full-service lodge, there’s no shortage of fun.

But the true selling point is the mountain’s impressive maximum vertical drop. At 281 metres (751 feet), planning a trip to Calabogie will ensure you get to ski the highest vertical drop of any public ski hill in Ontario. It also means the top of the hill is a great vantage point for viewing frozen Calabogie Lake and the surrounding shimmering, snow-covered hills.

Location: 30 Barrett Chute Road, Calabogie

Plan your trip

• Visit the resort’s restaurant, Canthooks, for a beer and a taste of Swiss cooking.
• For drinks and a warm lodge atmosphere, head to Black Donald’s, the resort’s on-site pub.
• Stay at one of the resort’s lodging options: the hotel, the condos or the cottages.
• Snowshoe the Manitou Mountain Trail, a nine-kilometre passage through snow-laden pine trees leading to three mountaintops.

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Blue Mountain Resort

Highlight: best glades

Glade runs present the ultimate challenge for advanced skiers, requiring a perfect mixture of speed, agility and expert-level bravery.

As one of Ontario’s largest and top ski hills, Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood is on the tip of every skier and snowboarder’s tongue whenever ski trips come up in conversation. The resort features seven lifts, 43 runs, night skiing, a terrain park and 219 metres of vertical skiing.

It’s also home to some of the most challenging glade runs in Ontario. Double black diamond runs, like Old South Glades and Village Glades, offer expert riders and skiers the opportunity to rip through the trees, making steep turns, hitting tall drops and keeping their wits about them as they tackle endurance runs.

Location: 108 Jozo Weider Boulevard, The Blue Mountains

Plan your trip

• Blue offers a variety of Stay & Ski Packages in the Blue Mountain Village.
• Pop into Northwinds Brewery in the heart of the village to enjoy a meal and a beer at one of their 20+ rotating taps.
• Visit MJ Byrne’s for an après ski experience with live music in a familiar Irish pub setting.
• Alpine Sports, right next to the mountain, will meet your tune-ups or rental needs.
• Slow down after a day or two of skiing and riding at Scandinave Spa, a full-service Scandinavian-style spa not far from Blue Mountain Resort.

Mount St. Louis Moonstone

Highlight: best terrain park

Located just west of Orillia, Mount St. Louis Moonstone has been one of Southern Ontario’s best ski resorts since 1964.

Beyond the groomers, the mountain is home to four terrain parks featuring staircases with handrails, multiple half-pipes, 15- to 18-metre kickers and North America’s longest rail at 42 metres. Visit the SkooL Yard, the Junkyard or both sections of the Outback to test your skills on over 60 features.

Polish your terrain tricks, such as becoming inverted, balancing on thin metal beams or hitting 12 metre gaps in the snow. Additionally, sign up for one of the Freestyle Day Camps for terrain park lessons in a small group setting.

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

Plan your trip

• Visit the Repair Centre to address any sharpening, waxing or tune-up needs you may have before entering the parks.
• Enjoy local brews from Muskoka Brewery or a hot lunch at the massive on-site chalet.
• Book a Ski and Stay package at the Stone Gate Inn in Orillia.
• For après ski eats, head to nearby HQ Restaurant & Taphouse for a diverse dinner and drink menu.

Ontario is a must-visit destination for ski enthusiasts of all levels, from seasoned skiers seeking thrilling runs to beginners eager to embrace the slopes.