Go Skiing Go Snowboarding

A local ski hill can have a much bigger impact than its size might suggest.

Loch Lomond Ski Area in Thunder Bay has introduced generations of families to skiing while also earning a reputation as a “Cradle of Champions.”

It’s a reminder of the role community ski areas play across Canada. They’re where kids take their first lessons, families build winter traditions, local athletes begin developing their skills, and sometimes, future champions get their start.

Not every first run leads to a podium, and it doesn’t need to. For most of us, it leads to something just as valuable: another day outside, a new skill, a family memory, or a reason to look forward to winter.

Have you skied at Loch Lomond or another community ski area? Share your favourite memory below.

Learn more about Loch Lomond’s story: https://skimuseum.ca/community-ski-areas/loch-lomond-ski-area-ontario/


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If skiing or snowboarding wasn’t something you grew up doing, stepping onto a ski hill for the first time can feel like entering a world where everyone else already knows the rules.

What should you wear? Do you need to buy equipment? How do rentals work? Should you book a lesson? Where do beginners even start?

You’re not expected to arrive knowing all of that.

Rentals, beginner lessons and first-timer programs are designed to take much of the guesswork out of the experience. An instructor can help you build confidence from the very beginning, and renting equipment means you can try the sport without making a major investment upfront.

You don’t need to become a “ski person” overnight. Start with one day and see where it takes you.

There’s no single way to experience winter in Canada. Make it your own.


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September has a way of getting families back into planning mode.

School is starting, activities are filling the calendar, and winter suddenly doesn’t feel quite so far away.

If skiing or snowboarding is something your family has talked about trying, you don’t need to commit to an entire season to find out if you’ll enjoy it.

Start with one day.

Choose a beginner-friendly ski area. Rent the equipment instead of buying it. Book a lesson so no one is expected to figure everything out on their own. Pack some snacks, leave room for hot chocolate, and let the goal simply be trying something new together.

The first day doesn’t need to be perfect to become one of those family days everyone remembers.

What winter tradition does your family look forward to every year?


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As summer begins to wind down, many families are already starting to look forward to the moments that make winter special.

Those moments don’t have to mean an entire weekend away or a full day on the slopes.

Sometimes, the memories that last are much smaller: one run together, a child’s first lesson, hot chocolate in the lodge, or the celebration that comes after trying something new.

Winter looks different for every family, and there is no right way to enjoy it.

Whether your tradition is an annual mountain getaway or simply spending a few hours outside together, those experiences are built one moment at a time.

What winter tradition are you looking forward to most?


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Planning your winter adventures? A little preparation now can go a long way.

Here are 5 simple ways to save on skiing and snowboarding this season:

❄️ Buy early. Many ski areas offer the best pricing before the season begins.

🎟️ Take advantage of programs like the Canadian Lift Pass. It's a great way to experience multiple participating ski areas while saving on lift tickets.

⛷️ Try a beginner program. Many resorts offer affordable learn-to-ski and snowboard packages that include lessons, rentals, and lift access.

🏔️ Visit a community ski area. Local hills are often an excellent, budget-friendly way to learn, build confidence, and spend more time on snow.

🎿 Check out ski swaps and multi-day passes. Buying used gear or taking advantage of multi-day ticket options can help make winter more affordable.

The earlier you start planning, the more opportunities you'll have to save, and the more time you'll spend enjoying the slopes this winter.

What tip would you add to the list?


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Mount Cain is a ski hill built by its community, and more than 50 years later, that community is still at its heart.

The story began in the early 1970s, when skiers and snowmobilers on North Vancouver Island began searching for a place where surrounding communities could ski. What followed was a remarkable local effort.

Loggers helped clear trails. Teachers, foresters, businesses, and volunteers contributed their time and expertise. Students from North Island Secondary School even helped build Mount Cain’s iconic base lodge using logs that had been cut locally.

That community involvement never disappeared.

Today, volunteers and staff work together on everything from maintaining the 16-kilometre access road and operating lifts to grooming, patrol, and ticket sales.

Mount Cain has also become an important first workplace for young people in the region, with generations growing up on the mountain, learning to ski, and landing their first jobs there.

It’s a powerful example of what a community ski area can become when people believe it’s worth building, and worth keeping.

What community ski hill holds a special place in your heart?

Read the full Mount Cain story from the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame: https://skimuseum.ca/community-ski-areas/mount-cain/


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Mount Cain Alpine Park

Ski season ends, but mountain season doesn’t. ☀️🏔️

There’s still plenty happening at Baldy Mountain Resort through late summer and into fall.

Stop by for coffee and mountain retail, make a day of one of the long weekend BBQs, check out what’s happening over Labour Day weekend, or start looking ahead to the Larix Trail Run in October.

It’s a chance to experience Baldy from a completely different perspective, and stay connected to the mountain while we wait for the snow to return.

See what’s happening at Baldy and plan your visit: https://baldyresort.com/

What late summer or fall event are you looking forward to most?


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