Ontario Skiing 2012/2013 Season Opener

We had the first tracks of the 2012/13 season on December 23, 2012 at Mt. St. Louis and then Horseshoe valley on Xmas day this past week. While the Collingwood private clubs were still without snow and Blue Mountain was struggling with poor snow making due to the warm Georgian Bay water, we were skiing in mid winter like conditions at Mt. St. Louis Moonstone. The mountain was filled with private club racers, training while their clubs waited for snow.

I am continually impressed with the on mountain experience at Mt. St. Louis. A vertically challenged mountain, the owners from Austria have built the best uphill capacity, and snow making in Ontario and that makes this hill a first class destination for local skiers. This season they installed a beginners chairlift with a moving on ramp, so that children and beginners can stand without shuffling and falling and wait while the 4 man chair scoops them off the stationary floor. The owners at Mt. St. Louis are continuously thinking and improving (a Japanes concept known as Kaizen) which makes this destination shine, in my opinion.

I had a snowboard and pair of skis tuned at the service center, and the technician was polite, very knowlegable and skilled at doing a full base grind and sidewall sharpen and wax, that made our equipment rock.  If you need some free advice, they are happy to assist and even gave us a free deicer for my son's snowboard bindings, which made the kid happy again. The techicians were very professional, and not some student run operation as might be found at municipally run operations. Unfortunately, St. Louis was closed on Xmas day and we skied elsewhere. However, one has to respect an operator that honors the spiritual values of his family and staff.

The Horseshoe experience was different as it was more provincial and mass market oriented. It does offer night skiing that allows the kids to go until 10 pm. When the crowds die down, and the kids want to keep going, night skiing is a great way to keep them entertained. The snow making at Horseshoe is not as proficient, and the terrain park pales in comparison to Mt. St. Louis. However, if you want to enjoy an all round recreational resort experience, then Horseshoe offers the real estate opportunities, with full amenities and nearby Xcountry skiing, (Hardwood Hills) and mountain biking in the summer. A great place for the kids to cruise around with friends while the parents chillax. BTW, Horseshoe is open on Xmas day. Apparently, ownership gives members access to private hill experience at the Heights of Horseshoe slope across from Horseshoe Valley.

Wishing you all a great Winter 2012/13 snow experience.

Sincerely,



The Adventure Guy