Bucket list ski destinations in Ontario

Calabogie Peaks Resort

Highlight: highest vertical drop

With the arrival of snowy winter, locals head to the small town of Calabogie to ski and ride at Calabogie Peaks Resort. 

This alpine destination is one of the best places to ski in the Ottawa Valley. With two major 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.

Location: 30 Barrett Chute Road, Calabogie

While you’re here

Visit the resort’s restaurant, Canthooks, for a beer and taste of Swiss cooking after skiing the resort’s range of expert runs.

For drinks and a warm lodge atmosphere, head to Black Donald’s, the resort’s on-site pub.

Grab a quick bite to eat at lunch and a hot chocolate to warm up at Mountain Cat Cafeteria.

Stay at one of the resort’s lodging options, including the hotel, the condos or the cottages.

Snowshoe the Manitou Mountain Trail, a nine-kilometre passage through snow-laden pine trees leading to three separate mountaintops.

Beaver Valley Ski Club

Highlight: steepest ski run

With 20 runs, multiple terrain parks and five lifts, Beaver Valley offers plenty of action for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. 

However, the club’s crowning achievement is their signature run: Avalanche, Ontario’s steepest ski run.

Though the club is a members-only facility, members can purchase day passes for guests. The club has also recently developed a trial membership allowing skiers and snowboarders to pay a largely reduced fee to access the club for a year. 

Ontario’s nearby largest public ski area is another great option. Blue Mountain Resort is only two hours away and is home to Elevator Shaft: a wonderfully steep double black diamond run. 

Location: 100 Pioneer Drive, Markdale

While you’re here

Stay at the Jasper Stuart House, a renovated bed and breakfast with cozy amenities and access to all of the area’s attractions.

Visit Heart’s Tavern and Bar, a local butchery, bar and tavern serving fresh farm-to-table ingredients prepared by formerly Toronto-based chefs.

Stop by the Ravenna Country Market for the best sandwich and homemade pickle money can buy.

Mount St. Louis Moonstone

Highlight: best terrain park

Located just west of Orillia, Mount St. Louis has been one of Southern Ontario’s best ski resorts for advanced skiers 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 40-foot 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

While you’re here

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. 

Antoine Mountain

Highlight: longest run

Antoine Mountain features a series of 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

While you’re here

Stay at Le Voyageur Inn to take advantage of the ski and stay 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.

Algoma Region

Highlight: best backcountry skiing

The long, snowy winter and hilly terrain make Algoma Region a prime backcountry ski destination. 

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

Location: Northern Ontario

While you’re here

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 the 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 hotspot 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.

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 is on the tip of every skier and snowboarder’s tongue whenever ski trips come up in conversation. The resort has 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

While you’re here

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.

Ski and snowboarding shows

APIK Mississauga 

Cheer on skiers and riders performing their best tricks at APIK Mississauga, a unique winter event fueled with heart-pumping fun. This three-day event takes place at Mississauga Celebration Square. 

Fans can also enjoy DJ sets, pop-up shops, food trucks and after-parties. Professional athletes such as  Olympic snowboarder Laurie Blouin and Canadian Championships gold slopestyle medalist Frank Jobin will appear. 

Admission is free. 

Date: February 7-9, 2025 

Location: 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga

Ottawa Ski Show

Discover the best skis for advanced skiers and the latest cutting-edge ski and boarding gear, outerwear and accessories at the Ottawa Ski Show. 

Held in the EY Centre, admission is free.

Dates: Fall 2025 

Location: 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa

The Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show

Learn about new trends, techniques and equipment. Meet other skiers and riders, enjoy interactive exhibits and engaging speakers and participate in Canada’s largest ski and snowboard swap.

Toronto’s popular ski and snowboarding show is at the Better Living Centre at the CNE Grounds. Get tickets online or on-site.

Dates: Fall 2025 

Location: 195 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto