Falling in Love with Winter at Blue Mountain

Why had we never gone to Blue Mountain in the winter before?

Summer at Blue Mountain has always been our go-to warm weather destination to escape the city, step out of our comfort zone and of course, make some family memories. We love being outdoors at Blue Mountain (only 1 hour and a half from our house) and even enjoy pushing our own limits so that we can stay active together and try new things. I live for moments when I can impress the boys and shock them with what I’m willing to try! Their look of pride is all the motivation I need to push myself, stay active and try things I never thought I’d do. Last summer at Blue Mountain, Ms. Chicken (me!) rode the roller coaster, climbed Blue Mountain and even opened my eyes for the whole gondola ride up AND down!

We promised the kids this summer that after all the fun we had and feeling so comfortable in the Blue Mountain Village, we would come back this winter to try Blue in the cold…(gulp!).

How could I ever do all the “winter warrior” outdoor activities that they would want to do? Well, I did know that the only place I would ever try new winter fun would be at a place that was already familiar and comfortable to us (me), so Blue Mountain made perfect sense for the place for us to try snowboarding and skiing!

I’ll admit that I was really nervous to embrace my inner Winter Warrior and try skiing with the boys. Speed and heights are not really my thing, but because we know Blue Mountain Resort and the Village so well, we arrived feeling like we were “home”. We knew that there is much more to Blue than just the hills, anyway…after staying there every summer, we know where to find Activity Central (and Menchies), how many steps it takes to get to PLUNGE Aquatic Centre, how much fun we can have doing ceramics at Crock-a-Doodle and even how to get to the closet spa (loved hot stone yoga at iWa Spa).

For this winter getaway, we stayed at the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain and the kids went nuts having their own room and bathroom complete with bathrobes! This past summer we stayed at the Mosaic and really enjoyed it too. If you love the hotel experience, the Westin is the perfect choice for a stay in the summer or winter at Blue Mountain. But if you want a “chalet” or intimate feel (with a slightly lower cost), the village suites or boutique suites of the Mosaic are a lovely choice as well…we have enjoyed both options during our summer visits!

My boys are hungry ALL THE TIME, so we filled the fridge in our room with healthy snack choices and filled our knapsack before heading out to the slopes. Traveling with a family is made so much easier with a kitchenette across all of the Blue Mountain accommodations and that is truly one of my favourite features during both seasons. On cold winter mornings, a cup of tea and some toast is a perfect way to warm up before heading outside. We also ate some incredible meals in some of our favourite restaurants across the village, The Pottery Restaurant (best caesar salad ever), Firehall Pizza Co. (nachos and gluten free pizza, anyone?), delicious and healthy breakfast at Sunset Grill and had room service from Oliver & Bonacini Cafe! Everywhere we went, the boys and I reminisced about visiting the same restaurants in warmer weather…but we couldn’t decide in which season the food tasted best!

I’ll admit that as we were heading down to Activity Central for ski and snowboard rentals and lessons, my stomach was full of butterflies. Since Paul wasn’t with me on this trip, due to work obligations, it was all on me to stay with the kids as they tried new sports too! The staff were incredible and as I layered up and tried on the ski boots, I started to get excited! We were each treated to the “Newbie” package with rentals, lift tickets and a lesson (I highly recommend it!) and headed out to the hill…the same hill that we did the low ropes, bag jump and rode the Ridge Runner coaster in the summer! It was amazing to see the same hill covered in snow! The boys took some snowboarding lessons while I had a lovely instructor take me up the Magic Carpet (world’s best invention for chair lift chickens) to try skiing after 30 years….guess what….I did it! I was so proud on that first snowplow-filled run! The newbie hills are the perfect way to fall in love with the freedom of skiing or snowboarding for any age! There are two great gradual hills that use the Magic Carpet (my speed!), but then the next advanced (but still newbie) hill uses a chairlift (I’ll try this on my next visit). With over 42 runs at Blue Mountain, including two beginner areas, there is literally a opportunity for every skill level and ability!

The boys and their first snowboarding experience…they are hooked!

I’m skiing….slow, but skiing and I’ll be doing it again some time soon!

We had an incredible time together falling in love with winter and new winter sports.

So, do we love Blue Mountain more in the summer or winter?

We just don’t know. We love it in both seasons and for so many of the same reasons. We love the familiar surroundings, incredible service, choices for family activities and options to try new active adventures!

And the view? You decide which one is more beautiful….

Disclosure: We were treated to two nights accommodations and fun at Blue Mountain to find our inner #WinterWarrior, in exchange for this honest review of one of our favourite family vacation spots!