If you live in Toronto or anywhere in the whole of GTA one of these 3 things applies to you- you frequent Blue Mountain, you’ve been there once and are waiting for your next trip or you have Blue Mountain on your ‘must-visit soon’ list. The place has forever been our go-to place for spontaneous day trips, weekend getaways and even week-long city detox voyages.
While the rest of the nation thinks of Blue Mountain as a winter destination, thanks to the ski resort it’s named after, we Torontonians know that it is really an all-season, all-occasion destination. In fact, Blue Mountain Resort has everything to make your next getaway the perfect fall experience.
From a gram-worthy gold and crimson backdrop to a cozy stay to pumpkin spiced lattes to that of a slew of outdoor activities, we rounded up 11 things you can do at Blue Mountain Resort to have your fill of the fall to the fullest.
Before you get lost in the list, you might want to check out the Blue Mountain passes that are available on their website. Most of the activities mentioned below are covered under one of the three passes- Play All Day, Explore All Day, and Add-On Adventures. You can check out what’s covered under the passes here. The AGORA light path is the only exception; it requires a separate ticket which, TBH, is not all that pricey.
Now the list:
If you love viewing the views, you’ll love living amidst them too. From pond-facing rooms to rooms with views of the woods and from luxury suites to cosy boutique lodges, there’s a room to suit every preference. Besides, with everything there is to do, you’d want to stay there.
Explore the trails
To truly experience fall, you have to be where the drama is, out in nature. With the Explore All Day pass, you can hike or bike along one of the many beautiful trails. You can pick a trail based on the difficulty level and no matter which one you pick, the views won’t disappoint you.
Take the Mountaintop Segway tour
The Segway tour is an exciting way to explore the mountain woods. It takes you through an off-road trek that gives you some insane views of Southern Georgian Bay and the Blue Mountain Village below.
Ride the Open-Air Gondola
If there’s a ride that takes us all the way up the summit in a few minutes without putting in much effort, we are always up for it, especially when it is an open-air Gondola. The 360 degree views get more gorgeous as you enjoy the ride from the Village to the top of the Escarpment. Grab some photos, take in the fresh air and plan out your next spot to Explore on-resort.
Enjoy a meal atop the summit
Sitting atop the mountain where the Gondola drops you is the Summitview Pavilion, the restaurant with the most scenic views of the region. This is where you can grab a bite and sip on a crisp rosé while enjoying the stunning Georgian Bay sunset. Oh, and the food isn’t half bad either.
Ride the Ridge Runner Coaster down the mountain
We were going to club this in with the other activities below but this amazing ride deserved a standalone recommendation. This Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster glides up, along and down the mountain and is a great way to explore the terrain. The best part is that you can decide the thrill level since it is self-driven. So, you can go as slow as you want or as fast as 42km/hr.
Reconnect with your inner child with fun activities
Whether you are there with kids or simply want to reconnect with your inner child, there are a slew of activities for that. Rope courses, 18-hole Cascade putting, wall climbing, zip-lining and Plunge! Aquatic Centre are just some of the fun-filled things you can indulge in.
Walk the path of lights
A relatively new addition to the long list of amazing experiences at Blue Mountain is AGORA: Path of Light. It is exactly what it sounds like; the entire trail is lit up with fabulous light and sound displays that you can interact with! Totally worth a visit.
De-stress with a massage
Despite all our love for the outdoors and adventurous activities, our weekend getaway is never complete without a relaxing spa day. There are three unique spas in close proximity to the heart of the Village- iWA, Scandinave Spa and Kalola Life in Balance.
Embark on a culinary adventure
What’s a vacation without great food? Good for us, Blue Mountain Resort is home to some amazing local cafes and eateries with mouth-watering delicacies made from locally sourced ingredients. While you’re in the area, take a tour along the Apple Pie Trail and check out what makes this region Ontario’s largest apple-growing region.
Bag great finds at the boutique stores
The shops here are actually pretty useful as they house all the things you could need for any adventure here. That said, they are also great for souvenir shopping and to soak up some small-town vibes. The Olde Stanton Store, an antique shop, in particular, is a must-visit.
A very happy fall weekend to you too!
