My trip to Blue Mountain in Ontario

Essential rules to make sure you enjoy a family ski outing

By purchasing an IkonPass, you have access to many mountains around the world, and for the most part, unlimited access. Close to home, it's the pass that gives you unrestricted access to Mont-Tremblant Resort. Once in the Ikon club, you get a lot of privileges and discounts, but what I like best is that by downloading the app, my snowboarder lover and I, can link our session and know where we are on the mountain at all times. We also have statistics at the end of the day that challenge us to maintain a healthy competition such as the number of trails ridden, the number of kilometers covered (in miles, it's an American product), the maximum speed reached, and lots of details to help us evaluate our day. The other Northeastern Canadian destination offered with the Ikon Pass is Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario. Near the Georgian Bay, it is a good 5-hour drive from Montreal, 2 hours from Toronto and 3 hours from Ottawa.

This pedestrian village concept created in the early 2000s reminds us of Mont-Tremblant. But smaller. The mountain is only 220 meters high, but it's made all in length and offers a splendid view of Lake Huron from the top. Surprising fact: all 5 main lifts can take 6 people and the seats are well cushioned. Even when it's crowded, the wait is short and the ride is easy on the buttocks!

One of the reasons why Blue Mountain is known around the world is that it can host a Ski Cross World Cup event. The skier in me was very excited to see that we have access to the course used for this race. When I visited, the course was still fresh, the little start gates are there permanently. I was able to pretend to be Brittany Phelan and take jumps, steep turns and rolls... in snowplow style but with elegance!

The three highlights of our memorable stay:  One, the evening skiing with almost the entire mountain lit up and the vast choice of trails: from the enchanted forest with its glowing light, to the wide boulevard trails that allow us to make wide turns. Two, the ski valet included with the accommodation which is located right next to the lift which was right next to our hotel. Three, the little extras that maximize your stay such as tubing, skating at the top of the mountain, the wide choice of restaurants and the many stores to stroll around after skiing. Nice little weekend getaway.