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.  

Shri Fest returns to the Blue Mountain Village on October 31

Shri Fest returns to the Blue Mountain Village on October 31 for three days of Yoga, Music and Art celebrations. Yogis, curiosity seekers and foodies will all come together to take part in a weekend of Yoga, shopping and a Farm-to-Table dinner. Shri, meaning beauty describes in part what the festival is all about, beautiful yoga and beautiful people coming together in a beautiful setting. Shri Fest takes place Oct 31st-Nov 2nd ‎in the Grand central lodge at the base of Blue Mountain in the heart of the Blue Mountain Village.

Entering its third year Shri Fest continues to delight it's participants by bringing together the best of our regional Yoga and Fitness instructors to provide a variety of classes throughout an entire weekend. With a full retail village and food offerings throughout the day plus a dinner that showcases the best of local Farmers there is always something for participants to do once they have finished their yoga.

Shirlee Williams founder and festival director says "Shri fest offers something for everyone, a great variety of classes, amazing items for purchase in our "Shri-Tail village", incredible food and live music in many of classes, we are so excited that we are back for year three bigger and better than ever".

For more information please contact event owners Shirlee & Simon Williams simon@buddharider.com 416-566-0990‎ www.shrifest.com

Bruce Cockburn to play Blue Mountain Village August 16th

Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and 13-time Juno Award-winner headlines the Roots Festival, a celebration of Canadian music, August 16–18.

Blue Mountains, Ontario. (August 7^th, 2014)  --- Next Saturday, August 16^th at 8pm, the Blue Mountain Village Plaza Stage welcomes legendary folk/rock guitarist and internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn for a free concert. 

“We continue to book Canadian music legends”, says Patti Kendall, Director of Marketing & Events for Blue Mountain Village, “first Gino Vanelli at our July 4-6^th Jazz Festival, then April Wine Canada Day and now Bruce Cockburn. Plus we are booking up and coming Canadian artists for the free Friday night series. These concerts are proving to be very popular as a result of such high quality musicians in a unique cobblestone outdoor setting.”

A true Canadian icon, Cockburn’s career has spanned four decades, produced thirty-one albums and taken him to the four corners of the earth.  His musical forms are as diverse as his lyrical subject matter. He has composed songs in such varied styles as folk, jazz-infused rock, classic rock and rock and roll, and has even shown the influence of reggae and world music. From “Wondering Where the Lions Are” to “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” and “If I had a Rocket Launcher”, his long list of hits has not only charted internationally, but has also become an integral part of the Canadian musical canon. Even still, Cockburn continues to work to reinvent himself. It’s quite likely that the “Rumors of Glory” you hear today sounds different than it did 30 years ago.

Just one day before the Cockburn concert visitors can see Scarlett Jane, a regular top 20 song on CBC radio 2. Scarlett Jane was live on CTV’s Canada AM early August and the Toronto duo has earned two nominations at the Canadian Folk Music awards for their debut album Stranger.

Remaining concerts this summer include The James Cameron Band, Sunday August 18^th, Donna Creigton and Jenna Grahlman August 22^nd 7pm & 8pm, Cecile Doo-Kingue on Saturday August 23^rd, Suzie Vinnick August 29^th . Plans are underway for the second annual Guitar Trail event on Saturday, September 6^th where the Village will book over 10 local musicians to position them throughout the Blue Mountain hiking trails for a new concept of hiking to live music. 

About the Village:

Between the foot of the Niagara Escarpment’s scenic Blue Mountains and the rugged shores and crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay, the picturesque Blue Mountain Village is Southern Ontario’s premiere four-season destination.  A cobblestoned pedestrian village framed by turn-of-the-century Ontario architecture, the Village offers a wide variety of family accommodations, activities and attractions including over 40 unique shops and restaurants, zip lines, ropes courses, hiking, biking, Segue tours and much more. An incredible natural retreat, the Village offers as much – or as little – as you’d like to do. For a complete listing of Village events, please visit www.bluemountainvillage.ca

The Pottery Restaurant boasts a beautiful and bright new look!

At 7am on Friday, May 30^th, the staff members at The Pottery Restaurant were unlocking its front doors to prepare for the re-opening! The Pottery Restaurant, located in the Blue Mountain Inn, has re-opened after undergoing major renovations. The restaurant now boasts a brighter and more contemporary look than its previous décor, while still maintaining its rustic roots. As soon as guests enter the restaurant, they experience an entirely new entrance way followed by a bright open dining area. The restaurant has been renovated completely, from its heightened and brightened ceilings, to its floors and carpeting.

“We are very excited to have launched the newly renovated space,” said Steve Flagler, Director of Food and Beverage, Blue Mountain Resort. “The Pottery Restaurant has always been a fantastic on resort dining experience, and its new look reflects that.”

Guests will notice that the restaurant has been completely re-painted, and what once was covered in warm shades of red and brown is now much brighter in shades of white. When guests look up, they will be amazed by the beautiful skylights where a hallway used to sit, now ushering in an abundance of natural light. The renovations have created an overall brighter space in the dining areas, and almost every aspect of the restaurant has been updated. Behind the scenes, the restaurant has acquired a completely new kitchen and area for the serving staff. The restaurant is excited to also introduce an updated menu, with new items such as chicken mignon with crimini mushroom ravioli, and zucchini and flank steak skewers, while still including old favourites such as The Pottery’s signature chicken, shrimp and peanut pad thai.

“We wanted to turn an old favourite into a new hotspot,” said Flagler, “and this renovation will help us to do just that.”

The new breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and wine menus can be accessed on our website, www.bluemountain.ca, on The Pottery Restaurant page under Eateries & Nightlife. The Pottery Restaurant is now open; so grab your friends, try some delicious food, and enjoy its new look!

About The Pottery Restaurant

The Pottery Restaurant is located in the Blue Mountain Inn and offers a casual dining atmosphere. The restaurant provides exceptional service and a wonderful dining experience. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. For reservations, call 705-443-5509.

About Blue Mountain Resort

Blue Mountain, Ontario’s largest mountain resort is nestled on the shores of Georgian Bay, located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Blue Mountain has become the four-season destination of the North, visited by more than 1.5 million guests a year. Winter at the resort boasts 42 ski and snowboard trails enhanced by a world-class snowmaking system.  Summer months offer the largest downhill mountain biking facility in Ontario, Monterra Golf course, Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Cascade Putting Course, Timber Challenge Ropes Course, Wind Rider Triple Zips and a private beach property among other seasonal attractions. Year-round the resort attracts visitors to more than 1,000 luxury accommodation units and 45 unique concept restaurants, bars and retail stores in our pedestrian Village. 37,500 square feet of state-of-the-art conference space caters year-round to corporate meeting groups. Blue Mountain is 50% owned by Intrawest ULC.  Visit www.bluemountain.ca for more information. 

Family Fun Day at Blue Mountain

Mark your calendars! Blue Mountain Resort (BMR) is pleased to host the first annual Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation (CGMHF) Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 8, 2014. This full day event allows access to Blue Mountain’s summer adventure attractions to local families at a discounted rate. All of the proceeds raised will be in addition to BMR’s $150,000 pledge to the New Age of Care campaign and will go directly to the purchase of the new digital mammography unit to be installed at the hospital this fall. 

“The Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation has long been Blue Mountain’s charity of choice,” said Paul Pinchbeck, Vice President Marketing, Blue Mountain Resort. “This day of ‘Fun-Raising’ for the Hospital Foundation is a unique way to showcase Blue’s support of healthcare in the local region while encouraging a fun, and interactive, experience that rewards local community members.” 

In support of the day, Blue Mountain has donated 500 Special Active Packs to be sold by the Hospital Foundation at a discounted rate of $50. Now’s your chance to ride the Ridge Runner, tackle the Woodlot Low Ropes or putt you way to par on Cascade Golf Course! These Active Packs allow Family Fun Day guests access to their choice from a variety of on-Resort summer attractions and encourage participants to explore the adventure in their own backyard. A public sale has been planned beginning May 17, 2014 for remaining Active Packs. Those who wish to purchase from unsold Active Pack inventory can do so by visiting Activity Central at Blue Mountain, or by calling the Hospital Foundation at 705-444-8645. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.cgmhf.com. All proceeds from the sale of Active Pack sales benefit your community hospital.

“We are proud to partner with Blue Mountain Resort for Family Fun Day,” said Jory Pritchard-Kerr, Executive Director of the CGMHF. “This is an opportunity for local families to get out and enjoy the exceptional fun and recreation that Blue Mountain Resort has to offer while they learn more about giving back to their community. The new digital mammography unit is yet another step towards fast, accurate diagnosis. Everyone participating in the Family Fun Day will be part of this important goal.”

For more information on Blue Mountain Resort, please visit www.bluemountain.ca. For more information on the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation, please visit their website.