The Orchards of Blue Mountain

For years I have looked at the beautifully unserviced runs to the west of South Base Lodge at Blue Mountain. There were the odd fresh powder tracks on it on good snow days and I wondered when it would be open for skiing. Finally, this season the Orchards at Blue are open to the public serviced by a new six person high speed Orchard Express lift. Apparently the hold up was due to environmental issues with the Niagara Escarpment Commission. How would one more chairlift affect the environment here?

Looking at the slope from the parking lot, it looked like there was a nice grade. However yesterday I had the opportunity to finally ski the new runs and realized they were an extension of the beginner terrain servicing South Base lodge. There was more green and blue runs to spread the novice skier traffic around. Not the excitement that an expert skier might enjoy, but it will allow the kids more options to explore and keep Blue a great place to learn to ski.

Blue is staying creative by declaring January 19the World Snowboard Day and offering potential snowboarders a three hour lesson and rentals for only $19.00. Great deal for the world of snowboarding. 

Shred On,

 The Adventure Guy