Ski Resort Gets Ready for the Season While Waiting on the Weather

Even if Mother Nature isn’t quite ready for winter, Blue Mountain Resort certainly is. The Resort had initially been targeting November 27 as the start to their ski season but recently announced a delay to their opening date due to the warmer temperatures forecasted this week. “Our systems are ready to get running as soon as the weather and conditions are favourable,” says Steve Spiessman, Director of Slope and Grounds Operations. “We are taking advantage of temperatures as warm as -2.2 Celsius and snowmaking windows as short as 4 hours to get the hills open as soon as possible.”

As the official opening day gets closer, the Resort is still preparing for the busy season and looking for seasonal staff to help serve the thousands of guests Blue Mountain draws each season. To attract student talent, Blue has launched a new Tuition Assistance Program which provides eligible employees with an opportunity to receive $500 toward their post-secondary education for each consecutive season of employment. “This is a brand new program that is pretty unique to this area,” says Janet Hammond, Manager, Human Resources. “We know we will need more team members once the season kicks off and we want to do what we can to make working at Blue as great an opportunity as possible.”

Off-hill, the events in the Blue Mountain Village are also lined up and ready including Jingles and Joy, a festive welcome to winter that includes free activities for families from horse-drawn wagon rides and carolers, to fireworks and visits with Santa Claus. “The Blue Mountain Village has become a hub of activity every weekend of the season,” notes Claire Woodhouse, Events Coordinator for the Blue Mountain Village Association. “People know that if they are looking for something to do on- or off-hill in the winter, they can always find something fun to do at Blue.”
 

Blue Mountain Resort's earliest opening day was on November 25 in 1989 and a typical season starts around mid-December. The updated opening day for the season is yet to be confirmed but Blue Mountain will be providing updates on their social media accounts and on their website. Those anxiously waiting to find out when the lifts will be running can check www.bluemountain.ca or phone 1-877-445-0231 for updates.

Operators are Getting Ready to Make Snow at Blue Mountain

It will look like the ski season has started early at Blue Mountain Resort this Tuesday as the Snow Making team gets ready for the season. “We will be running our snowmaking system close to capacity this week to get ready for the upcoming season,” says Steve Spiessman, Director of Slope and Grounds Operations and resident snow whisperer at Blue. “It is still a little early to actually be making snow on the hill but testing all the snow guns will make it look very wintery on the mountain.”

According to Spiessman, this run-through is an important step in starting the season as early as possible. “We always test the system in advance so that we can make any repairs or adjustments,” notes Spiessman. A lot of snowmaking is at the mercy of the elements and ideal snowmaking conditions are a bit more complicated than a thermometer reading of zero degrees or colder.
“This year, we are running the system at near capacity and will be testing snow guns, piping systems, air compressors, water pumps, and automation software. By running this equipment now we will be able to improve our pre-season efficiency and take advantage of even the shortest snowmaking windows leading up to opening day,” Spiessman says.

Blue Mountain has Canada’s largest snowmaking system and ranks among the most powerful in North America. Over the past several years, Blue has made significant investments in its capabilities including energy efficient tower guns that operate at higher temperatures. “Of particular note is how much more efficient we are with our automation system,” says Spiessman. “We used to have to wait for 1-3 days of cold weather to make snow. Now we can take advantage of ideal snow making conditions in windows as short as 4 hours.”


The snowmaking system will be running as early as 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon but as always, Mother Nature gets the last say as to when the hills open for the season. Guests who want to be ready for ski season as soon as possible, can take advantage of the early bird rates on season passes by visiting www.bluemountain.ca or calling 1-800-445-0231 by November 1.

Halloween Comes Early with The Haunted Hill at Blue Mountain, October 23 - 25

A weekend of Halloween-themed family fun awaits as Blue Mountain Resort transforms into The Haunted Hill from Friday, October 23^th to Sunday, October 25^th, 2015.  Come enjoy the eerie atmosphere in Blue’s Enchanted Forest, the Creepy Carnival and the Haunted Graveyard putting course.

All attraction tickets will be half price so guests can take their little goblins and ghouls to activities like the Wind Rider Triple Zips, Timber Challenge High Ropes, Climbing Wall, Plunge! Aquatic Centre, Woodlot Low Ropes, Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster and the Apex Bag jump at 50% off. Not only are the rides dressed up but Blue Mountain team members will be dressed for the occasion with fun Halloween costumes and activations.

Last year’s sold-out, signature attraction, a “Hike on Haunted Hill” will be returning once again. Presented by Theatre Collingwood in partnership with Collingwood Collegiate Institute’s and Meaford Highschool’s Drama Club, this spooky, one hour theatrical performance will take guests on a guided hike through the haunted forest of Blue Mountain Resort. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for youth, and free for children under 5 years of age when accompanied by an adult. Performances run Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the not-so-spooky family-friendly matinee performances on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday Afternoon at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.  Self-guided tours of the Haunted Forest will also be available leading up to each performance on Friday October 23^rd from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday October 24^th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Other Halloween activities will be taking place in the Blue Mountain Village throughout the weekend including pumpkin carving in the centre of the Village, Halloween button taking, a Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt and more.


For more information aboutThe Haunted Hill at Blue Mountain, visit www.bluemountain.ca/halloween

There’s still time to get your kids into camp this summer!

Come (or come back!) to experience Beachside with activities on the water at Blue’s private beach and on some of the fun attractions at Blue! The best part? From August 24 to September 4 campers can bring a friend for FREE!

Beachside gives kids ages 11-13 a chance to get outside and pack some end-of-summer fun into the weeks before school starts again. Campers enjoy making new friends and have fun doing activities such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Plus they also get to try Blue Mountain’s most sought after attractions including zip lining and high ropes course.

BEACHSIDE CAMP SAMPLE ITINERARY
MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
AM: Beach Games PM: Ziplining	AM: Timber Challenge High Ropes PM: Beach Games	AM: Biking to Thornbury PM: Kayak from Thornbury	AM: Golf PM: Beach Games	AM: Beach Games BBQ Lunch PM: Amazing Race

To register or to get more information please call 705-445-0231
Offer applies to daily or weekly bookings at Beachside Summer Camps only.

http://www.bluemountain.ca/plunge_super_camp.htm

Blue Mountain Resort Launches New and Improved Season Passes for 2015/2016

Many are more than ready to welcome the sunshine and warmer weather in the forecast but for skiers and riders, springtime is the best time to get ready for next winter. Blue Mountain Resort launched the 2015/2016 Season Passes today including the new 6x7 and an improved Super Pass. Available online, through Blue Mountain’s Call Centre or at Guest Services locations, passes can be purchased at the lowest prices of the season from now until April 12, 2015.

NEW 6x7 Pass $399 All Ages

Super Pass $699 Adult $479 Youth (or only $239 with purchase of Adult Super Pass)

Night Value Pass $149 All Ages

“Blue Mountain strives to provide flexible and affordable access to alpine sports in Ontario,” says Paul Pinchbeck, Vice President, Marketing, Blue Mountain Resort. “Our guests continue to prove that they have a passion for winter and we want to provide a means to get out and enjoy the season with access to the Resort that works best for their lifestyle.”

Blue’s new 6x7 pass is a perfect example of affordability and flexibility by taking the ever popular 5x7 pass and increasing the value to include additional Sunday access. Only available until April 12, the 6x7 gives passholders the ability to ski or ride during the day from Sunday through Friday as well as every night of the week on Blue’s 30 lit trails.

This spring’s pass offering also includes a great incentive to purchase the Super Pass. Along with the purchase of an Adult Super Pass, passholders have the ability to purchase a Youth Super Pass at a 50% discount making it even more affordable for families to get out on the hill all season.

Passholders are encouraged to purchase before April 12, 2015 as the price points and all applicable incentives will expire once the spring pricing period comes to end. 

Blue Mountain currently has an average base of 150cm across all of its 42 runs. While many Ontario ski hills close their doors following March Break, Blue Mountain promises to remain open for as long as conditions allow. Guests who purchase their Season Pass before April 12 will receive discounted access to Blue following March 23, with lift tickets priced at $15.

MARCH BREAK AT BLUE PROMISES LOTS OF ACTIVITY FOR FAMILIES

On March 14th Blue Mountain is hosting nine non-stop days of family programming that is certain to keep kids and parents on the move. With near perfect snow conditions during this very wintery Ontario ski season, March Break promises loads of fun both on and off the slopes with over 15 entertainers booked to activate the Village day and night.

"March Break at Blue has something for every family", says Tara Lovell, PR Manager at Blue Mountain Resort. "All you have to do is pack up the car and make a short drive to enjoy a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities. There is a special midweek discounted lift ticket for those who want to enjoy our great snow conditions along with a variety of free and ticketed events including the Sony Snow Crown; one of Canada's largest freestyle ski and snowboarding championships."

The line-up off the slopes resembles summer at Blue Mountain with non-stop activity. Daily, guests will find live music on stage and in the many restaurants and bars, and there will be many interactive family shows including hula hooping, groove dancing, drumming, and the all-time favourite Birds of Prey Show. Fireworks will blast over the Mill Pond and young kids can enjoy face painting, or head inside to catch one of our twice daily free movies at The Westin Trillium House. Weather permitting, the five acre Mill Pond skating rink is open from 10am to 10pm for guests to enjoy along with the Resort's new Hike 'n Tube area that is popular with the under 10 crowd.

To cap off a jam-packed family holiday, two ticketed live shows are being held in the new Village Conference Centre including a Magic Show with Peter Meenie on Monday, March 16th and a performance by Juno Award Winner, family entertainer Fred Penner on Wednesday, March 18th.

"It really is one of the best weeks of the year at Blue." Says Patti Kendall, Marketing & Events Director, Blue Mountain Village. "With warmer temperatures and more sun in March it makes for a great experience on and off the slopes. It’s quite incredible how much you can do if you follow our 9-day schedule."

With an activity for every age and level of ability, Blue Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Village are the premier choice for active, fun-seeking families looking for a memorable March Break vacation.  For more information on how to book your getaway and the complete 9-day events line-up, visit bluemountain.ca/marchbreak<http://bluemountain.ca/marchbreak>.

Blue Opens Dec 5, 2014

The 2014-15 season is just days away as Blue Mountain prepares to open their slopes on Friday December 5, 2014.  To celebrate the season, lift tickets will be priced at $19 plus HST for all ages. 

Around the Resort, the signature woosh of snow guns could be heard all week long.  Blue’s non-stop snowmaking efforts coupled with consistently cold temperatures felt this week can be credited with getting the slopes open sooner rather than later.

“We were fortunate enough to see ideal snowmaking conditions in the short term forecast,” said Peter Sutcliffe, Director of Mountain Experience, Blue Mountain Resort.  “We were able to focus our efforts on the Village pod and open the slopes for December 5th.”

Provided that the current weather conditions remain steady throughout the coming days, the Resort will be on-track to open the Silver Bullet Chair with access to Tranquility, a blue square run, for day operations between 9:00am and 4:30pm.  In addition, the Easy Street Learning Centre will be operational offering beginner ski and snowboard lessons between open hours.  For those that require equipment, Blue’s Rental Department in Activity Central will also open for the season.  Night Skiing is set to begin on December 18, 2014.

Opening Day is one of the most anticipated days of the year for Blue Mountain’s many guest and Season Passholders.  With memories of last year’s record-breaking season close at hand, interest in skiing and snowboarding peaked early for the 2014/15 Season.

“Speculation regarding Blue’s anticipated open began when early season snowstorms blanketed our region in mid-November,” said Paul Pinchbeck, Vice President, Marketing, Blue Mountain Resort.  “While we had to weather a few mild spells, our snowmakers were still able to mass-produce the snow needed to get our slopes open.  With continued help from Mother Nature and successful snowmaking operations, we’re looking forward to what we hope will be another long season at Blue Mountain.”

Updated daily, snow and condition reports can be found at www.bluemountain.ca, or in real time on Blue Mountain’s Facebook Page and Twitter Page.