The Blue Mountains is a beautiful tourist town in Ontario, Canada. There are many reasons tourists and locals alike love this area, but one is its vast amount of winter activities for all interests. The VanderMarck Boutique Hotel in Collingwood is only about 5 minutes from the edge of The Blue Mountains and 20 minutes from its main town, Thornbury.
This makes us a gorgeous, relaxing place to stay in the area that’s convenient to everything enjoyable about the season. Whether you want a chill winter activity or one that gives you an adrenaline rush, you have many options that are a short drive from our hotel.
Downhill Skiing
There is no shortage of places to go downhill skiing in and near the Blue Mountains. Options are available for every ski level, whether you are a complete beginner or you’ve been skiing for years. Some spots may be member-only, which can be a good option to consider if you plan to visit the area often, while others are open to the public.
It’s important to review each place’s website for more information about how to participate in downhill skiing at that location. Several spots to go downhill skiing near our hotel include:
- Blue Mountain Resort in the Blue Mountains
- Georgian Peaks Ski Club in Thornbury (private)
- Craigleith Ski Club in the Blue Mountains (private)
- Alpine Ski Club in the Blue Mountains (private)
Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a fantastic, low-impact workout and an enjoyable activity that allows you to explore beautiful landscapes while gliding over the snow. Several spots to go downhill skiing near our hotel include:
- Highlands Nordic in Duntroon
- Scenic Caves at the top of Blue Mountain
- Hardwood Hills (a little further away, would be a day trip)
- Kolapore Uplands (free back-country skiing)
You can also utilize the Collingwood Trails Network when there’s a fresh snowfall.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is another low-impact activity popular in and near the Blue Mountains during winter. Strap snowshoes to your boots and make your way across breathtaking landscapes. Depending on where you go, you may be able to rent snowshoes, but if you go out on your own, you’ll have to bring a pair. Several places you can snowshoe in the area include:
- Blue Mountain Resort in the Blue Mountains
- Highlands Nordic in Duntroon
- Kolapore Uplands (free back-country snowshoeing)
- Collingwood Trails Network
Ice Skating
There’s something magical about ice skating. Glide over the ice while you take in all the scenery around you at every turn. Going at night and during the day each offers a unique charm, so consider trying both. A couple of the places to go include:
- Blue Mountain Resort in the Blue Mountains
- Town Of Collingwood – indoor and outdoor skating
Tubing
Head to Blue Mountain Resort if you want to experience the exciting thrill of tubing. It’s a great way to enjoy spectacular views while you’re tubing down and as you’re walking back up. Only one person is allowed in the tube at a time, so keep that in mind if you’re travelling with small children. All-day passes are available.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is an incredibly popular sport in the area. It gives you a fantastic adrenaline rush while allowing you to connect with nature. A few places to go snowboarding are:
- Blue Mountain Resort in the Blue Mountains
- Craigleith Ski Club in the Blue Mountains (private)
- Alpine Ski Club in the Blue Mountains (private)
Packages at the VanderMarck
The VanderMarck offers a variety of packages and discount deals to our guests. After giving your body a good workout with one of the many winter activities available in the Blue Mountains, a stop at the Scandinave Spa or Vortex Wellness Studio may be beneficial. And if you’ve worked up an appetite, make sure to ask us about The New Room Service VM X Cabin Kitchen and Wine & Cheese Tasting options!
After a full day of winter activities in and near the Blue Mountains, you’ll want somewhere luxurious and relaxing to lay your head and catch up on some sleep. The VanderMarck is the perfect place to do just that.
Contact us for more information about our studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites, or you can reserve your preferred accommodations through our website. If you have questions about the area’s winter activities or about staying at our hotel, we’d love to help!