The History of Skiing in Blue Mountain: From Humble Beginnings to Ontario's Favourite Ski Destination
The birds are flying south. That means winter is on the horizon.
And around here, that can only mean one thing: ski season is getting closer!
As the leaves disappear from the Niagara Escarpment, temperatures drop, and the first signs of snow arrive, excitement starts building throughout The Blue Mountains. Skiers begin tuning their equipment, snowboarders start checking their gear, and local businesses prepare for the busy winter season.
But have you ever wondered how skiing became such a big part of life in The Blue Mountains?
Today, Blue Mountain Resort is one of Ontario's most recognized four-season destinations, attracting skiers and snowboarders from across the province and beyond. But its story began long before the modern village, high-speed chairlifts, and snowmaking systems.
It is a story of local ski clubs, European ambition, a little ingenuity, and one man's vision to bring alpine skiing to the Niagara Escarpment.
Whether you're a lifelong local, a returning visitor, or planning your first winter getaway with Cottages at Blue, here's a look back at the history of skiing in Blue Mountain.
Before Blue Mountain Resort: The Early Days of Skiing
Believe it or not, skiing in the area began before the resort we know today even existed.
During the 1930s, local ski enthusiasts were already exploring the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment. The Blue Mountain Ski Club was formed in 1935, while the Toronto Ski Club, established in 1924, helped introduce more people from the city to skiing in the Collingwood area.
Early skiers had a very different experience from today's visitors. There were no high-speed lifts, groomed runs, or elaborate base lodges. Skiers climbed hills, made their own trails, and relied on relatively simple uphill transportation.
One early lift, known as the Red Devil, was built in the 1930s using a sleigh-tow design. It was reportedly temperamental, but it helped lay the groundwork for the ski infrastructure that would follow.
In those days, getting to the slopes was an adventure in itself. Skiers travelled from Toronto by train, arriving at Craigleith before making their way to the hills.
The enthusiasm for skiing was already growing, and the escarpment was about to become the setting for something much bigger.
1941: The Arrival of Jozo Weider
In 1941, a man named Jozo Weider arrived in the Collingwood area with a vision that would transform the region.
Originally from what is now Slovakia, Jozo had experience operating a ski chalet in the Carpathian Mountains of Europe. After emigrating to Canada in 1939 with his family, he worked as a ski instructor in Quebec, where he met Toronto lawyer Peter Campbell.
The two shared an interest in developing skiing in the Collingwood area. With Campbell's financial backing and Weider's knowledge of skiing and resort operations, they established Blue Mountain Resort in 1941.
Jozo and his family settled at the base of the mountain, where the early resort was built around existing farm buildings and a modest collection of ski facilities.
His vision was ambitious: create a destination where people could enjoy alpine skiing and experience the beauty of the escarpment.
It was the beginning of something special.
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The Early Lifts: From the Red Devil to Ontario's First Chairlift
If you've ever complained about waiting in a lift line, imagine skiing at Blue Mountain in its early days!
The original uphill systems were a far cry from the modern lifts we have today. The Red Devil sleigh tow was eventually replaced by more advanced equipment as the resort continued to grow.
One of the biggest milestones came in 1955, when Blue Mountain installed its first Poma lift at the North.
Then came a major moment in Ontario skiing history.
In 1959, construction began on the South Chair, which opened in 1960 as Ontario's first chairlift. It was an impressive piece of engineering for its time, carrying approximately 936 skiers per hour.
The original South Chair operated for decades before being replaced in 2001 by the Southern Comfort high-speed six-person chairlift.
A piece of the original South Chair has been preserved as part of Blue Mountain's historical collection—a reminder of just how far the resort has come.
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The 1960s and 1970s: Blue Mountain Takes Off
The 1960s brought significant growth to skiing across Ontario. More families were discovering winter sports, and Blue Mountain was expanding to meet the demand.
New chairlifts and ski runs were added, and the Blue Mountain Inn began taking shape as an important part of the resort experience.
The mountain was becoming more than a place to ski. It was becoming a winter destination.
Another major development arrived in 1973 with the installation of the resort's first modern snowmaking system.
This was a game changer.
Instead of relying entirely on natural snowfall, snowmaking technology helped make the ski season more dependable and allowed the resort to improve conditions across its terrain.
Other memorable developments followed, including night skiing in 1979, giving visitors even more opportunities to enjoy the slopes after the sun went down.
And, of course, no discussion of Blue Mountain's early years would be complete without mentioning Jozo's Bar. Named in honour of the resort's founder, it became part of the area's après-ski tradition—a tradition that continues today.
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From Ski Hill to Four-Season Destination
As Blue Mountain continued to grow, so did the surrounding community.
The 1980s and 1990s brought more investment, new facilities, and an increasingly diverse range of activities. Golf, summer attractions, and expanded accommodation options helped establish the region as a destination beyond the winter months.
In 1989, the resort installed Ontario's first detachable quad chairlift, while snowboarding also began arriving on the mountain.
A dedicated terrain park, Badlands, followed in 1994, reflecting the changing interests of a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts.
Then came one of the most significant changes in the resort's modern history.
In 1999, Intrawest acquired a 50% interest in Blue Mountain and began developing the pedestrian village that visitors recognize today. The village brought together restaurants, shops, accommodation, and year-round entertainment, helping transform the base of the mountain into a destination in its own right.
The remaining Weider family interest was sold in 2014, and in 2017 the resort became part of Alterra Mountain Company.
Today, Blue Mountain continues to build on the foundation established by Jozo Weider and the early ski community.
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A Few Interesting Facts About Blue Mountain's Skiing History
Here are a few pieces of local ski history worth knowing before your next visit:
- 1935: The Blue Mountain Ski Club was formed.
- 1941: Jozo Weider helped establish Blue Mountain Resort.
- 1955: The first Poma lift was installed at the North.
- 1960: The South Chair opened as Ontario's first chairlift.
- 1973: The resort installed its first modern snowmaking system.
- 1979: Night skiing began on Big Baby and O-Hill.
- 1989: Ontario's first detachable quad chairlift was installed at Blue Mountain.
- 1994: The Badlands terrain park opened.
- 1999: Intrawest acquired a 50% interest and began planning the pedestrian village.
- 2004: The Silver Bullet open-air gondola opened for summer visitors.
- 2017: Alterra Mountain Company acquired Intrawest.
For anyone interested in learning more, Blue Mountain Resort has a fascinating online historical timeline, including photographs and stories from its early days.
The Skiing Community That Grew Around the Mountain
One of the most interesting parts of Blue Mountain's history is how skiing helped shape the surrounding communities.
The resort's growth encouraged the development of ski clubs, chalets, restaurants, shops, and winter homes throughout the area.
Neighbouring ski destinations such as Craigleith, Alpine, Osler Bluff, and Georgian Peaks helped establish the broader region as one of Ontario's most important skiing communities.
For generations, families have returned to the area every winter. Some come for a weekend, others for an entire season, and many have made skiing at Blue Mountain part of their family traditions.
It's this sense of community that makes winter here so special.
The Tradition Continues: A New Generation of Skiers
While the equipment, lifts, and facilities have changed dramatically since the 1940s, the excitement of a Blue Mountain winter remains much the same.
Today, visitors can enjoy:
- Skiing and snowboarding across a wide range of terrain.
- Terrain parks for riders looking to develop their skills.
- Night skiing for those who want a few more runs.
- Ski lessons for beginners and families.
- Après-ski restaurants, bars, and entertainment.
- Winter hiking, skating, and other seasonal activities.
Whether you're an experienced skier chasing fresh snow or a beginner taking your first lesson, there's something special about spending a winter day on the escarpment.
And after a full day on the mountain, there's nothing quite like getting together with friends and family to share stories about the day's runs.
A Little Piece of Ski History at Cottages at Blue
We have our own little connection to the area's skiing heritage at Cottages at Blue.
One of our properties features a custom-built bench made using a decommissioned Poma ski lift from a local Ontario ski hill. Rather than letting the old lift disappear into retirement, we gave it a second life.
With cedar seating boards and custom-welded legs, the old lift has been transformed into a unique photo bench located at the corner of the property.
It's become a favourite spot for guests to gather for family photos, group pictures, and vacation memories.
It's a small nod to the history of skiing in Ontario and a reminder that ski culture is about more than just getting down the mountain—it's about the people, the memories, and the stories that come with it.
Stay with Cottages at Blue This Ski Season
The birds may be flying south, but around Blue Mountain, we're already looking forward to winter.
Whether you're planning a family ski vacation, a weekend with friends, or an extended winter escape, Cottages at Blue offers comfortable vacation rental accommodations close to the mountain and everything the region has to offer.
Enjoy the convenience of having your own space, multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, and room to relax after a day on the slopes. Select properties also offer features such as fenced yards, fireplaces, and access to community amenities.
From the early days of Jozo Weider and the Red Devil to today's modern ski lifts and lively village, Blue Mountain has come a long way. But the reason people keep coming back hasn't changed much: great skiing, beautiful scenery, and time spent with the people who matter.
Winter is on the horizon. It's time to start planning your Blue Mountain ski getaway.
Explore available properties and book your next winter stay with Cottages at Blue.