Village at Blue Mountain

By: Toronto4Kids

What used to be a winter-only destination is now a hotspot all year long! It's summertime, and the hills are very green -- instead of skiers, mountain bikers are barreling down the slopes. And, at the base of Ontario's largest mountain lies a Village buzzing with life and excitement, offering an endless array of activities and things to do. This new pedestrian-only village features specialty shops & boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. There are 22 acres of pathways to enjoy, a millpond, landscaped gathering areas surrounding a central square where events take place. Set against the natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment, on the shores of Georgian Bay (just 90 minutes from Toronto), the Village at Blue Mountain is the perfect escape from the hustle & bustle of city life. There has always been a lot going on at Blue Mountain, and it just keeps getting bigger and better!

The Village is bordered by over 2,000 resort homes comprised of attractive condominium hotel suites, town houses, single family residences, and the Monterra Golf course. During green season, you can take in Hummer Tours, Mountain Bike Tours, Rock Climbing, Caving, Hiking, Golfing, Airplane Adventures, Spa Treatments, Fishing, Canoeing/Kayaking, Horseback Riding Tours, Windsurfing and Fly Fishing. Guests can also access Blue Mountain's private beach on Georgian Bay.

Especially for kids: Arts & Crafts, scooter & bike rentals, Raft Rider Tube Rides, Pedals Boats, Fishing, Rock-Climbing, a Water Play Area, a jungle gym in the Toddler Zone, a Kids' Adventure Camp with Mountain Biking, Tennis and Golf, a Child Care Centre, and more! New to the Village this season: open-air gondola cars with spectacular views 720 vertical feet up the mountain.

But, there's plenty more to experience at the Village, with all of its Festivals and Special Events - loads of them! From free Movies Under the Stars on a giant inflatable screen to Live entertainment, Music Series concerts, Artist Walks, Cookoffs, Adventure Races, Bike Races expos, and Parades, to list a few. Festivals have come to include the Elvis Festival, the Mountain Blues Brew & BBQ Festival, the Village Street Beat Festival, and a Fall Apple Harvest Festival. Special Events are too many to mention but during our visit, Nintendo, Fruitopia and 7-Up were on hand to entertain with special demos, shows & freebies. Each week is a celebration of something new at the Village, and since all events are free, this draws in many of the locals and keeps the place hopping!

Information on all programs and events are accessed through Blue Mountain's Activity Central -- a new addition to the Village Base (located right next to Starbucks). It's a valuable service to guests who can contact Activity Central to organize & plan their days during their stay at the Resort. Seasonal events & activity guides are also published and can be downloaded from their website at www.blueactivities.com.

It's a hotspot indeed and when you consider the significant expansion plans with Intrawest as a development partner, Blue Mountain is transforming into a 4-season destination resort experience waiting to be discovered. Currently in its initial phases of construction, the Village will soon feature many more attractions and businesses, including the addition of a Westin Hotel/Condominium complex. If all goes as planned, the resort should complete its development by 2006, offering visitors Ontario's best recreation facilities.

Blue Mountain is an ideal family destination for skiing, golfing, swimming, sailing, biking, hiking, and more. Plus, there's a dynamic Village to explore year round with plenty of dining and entertainment options, tons of exciting activities that you can enjoy as a family, along with some pretty irresistible kids-only programs. Where in Ontario can you find this unbeatable combination?

For more information visit: www.thevillageatblue.com or www.bluemountain.ca.

©2004 Toronto4Kids™