Touring Ontario

There are a decent amount of closed hills around that you'll definitely consider "small" but due to the region there isn't much outside of that (dense forests, too rocky for the snowfall, or too mellow).
Not sure if these are "secrets" as some googling will easily find these places but here you go:
Devil's elbow ski area off Bethany hills rd. Someone bought it so you will be trespassing. I haven't heard that the new owner plans on opening it or anything, closed fairly recently so the trails will be relatively brush free.
Just south of there is Kawartha peaks now "Ranch Resort" it's just a wedding/ event place, doubt they are even open with covid so it should be pretty hassle free.
Cedar Highlands is probably closest to you. Near the intersection of Hockley rd and airport rd north east of Orangeville. A quick google maps search and you will see the distinct runs cut out in the trees.
Last but not least is Pine Ridge Located on Pine Ridge Trail, pretty much across the road from Horseshoe.
If you don't care about driving a shit ton there are a bunch north of Sudbury, sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. I'd say too small and far to make the trip worth it but I will give an honorable mention to Big Thunder at the end of Little Norway Road in Thunder Bay. Place has Olympic ski jumps if that tickles your fancy.

Whoa, thats the inside info Ive been looking for. Thanks a lot for the help.

I went to Blue "Mountain" and Horseshoe last season and tbh I was pleasantly surprised. Im just getting my kid into skiing so Im not looking for world class terrain or parks.

When Im not with the kid there is no point in me skiing the resorts, seems like a great idea to get the touring gear out and try to get the hidden stash or sweet Ontario powder! haha.

Thanks for the help.

Not far from blue mountain is another closed resort called talisman. I have no idea as to the ownership or plans of reopening or anything like that, though I have heard of a few people touring it before.

kylemcleanNot far from blue mountain is another closed resort called talisman. I have no idea as to the ownership or plans of reopening or anything like that, though I have heard of a few people touring it before.

This. Long time lurker here, but was gonna mention Talisman - I saw quite a few ppl on IG touring this place and it looks great. If I had a touring setup I would def look into it

kylemcleanNot far from blue mountain is another closed resort called talisman. I have no idea as to the ownership or plans of reopening or anything like that, though I have heard of a few people touring it before.

FYI - ownership called the OPP frequently this past winter and people were getting nailed for trespassing and also parking on sideroad 7A. This is right out my door so I saw a lot of it

Check out West Wind Highlands Ski Touring Association (WWHSTA): http://wwhsta.org/. Formed in 2020. I joined recently but haven't got out with them yet. I haven't seen mention of them on NewSchoolers yet, but the site's search bar is atrocious.

PoikenzThere are a decent amount of closed hills around that you'll definitely consider "small" but due to the region there isn't much outside of that (dense forests, too rocky for the snowfall, or too mellow).
Not sure if these are "secrets" as some googling will easily find these places but here you go:
Devil's elbow ski area off Bethany hills rd. Someone bought it so you will be trespassing. I haven't heard that the new owner plans on opening it or anything, closed fairly recently so the trails will be relatively brush free.
Just south of there is Kawartha peaks now "Ranch Resort" it's just a wedding/ event place, doubt they are even open with covid so it should be pretty hassle free.
Cedar Highlands is probably closest to you. Near the intersection of Hockley rd and airport rd north east of Orangeville. A quick google maps search and you will see the distinct runs cut out in the trees.
Last but not least is Pine Ridge Located on Pine Ridge Trail, pretty much across the road from Horseshoe.
If you don't care about driving a shit ton there are a bunch north of Sudbury, sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. I'd say too small and far to make the trip worth it but I will give an honorable mention to Big Thunder at the end of Little Norway Road in Thunder Bay. Place has Olympic ski jumps if that tickles your fancy.

Did some touring around Devil's Elbow. Was kinda nostalgic ngl, since its the first place I ever skied as a kid

Pipe_MunkyFYI - ownership called the OPP frequently this past winter and people were getting nailed for trespassing and also parking on sideroad 7A. This is right out my door so I saw a lot of it

I heard a similar thing from locals at the BV Ski Club re Talisman post-COVID. Any thoughts on the water tower power lines to the south?

Dani-BI heard a similar thing from locals at the BV Ski Club re Talisman post-COVID. Any thoughts on the water tower power lines to the south?

I've sat on my deck with beers watching the OPP hand out tickets.

Legend has it that some gnarly fuckers skied the water lines years ago. Problem with touring up is the bush to each side is fairly thick and the line is pretty steep. There's also a little cliff band in there that isn't really scalable without climbing gear. I'd access it from the top (get someone to drop you off and meet you at the power station on Lower Valley Rd) and ski down. It's definitely one of those descents that needs good snow and a lot of it.

I managed to luck into a deal on a set of barons today so hoping to start exploring some of the Escarpment around Collingwood and possibly check out some of WWHSTA stuff next season

Nice! Word Telemark Day is happening at Limberlost on the 4th if you decide to grab the membership this year 😎

Dani-BNice! Word Telemark Day is happening at Limberlost on the 4th if you decide to grab the membership this year 😎

ALSO: You don't have to be on tele to participate. Just have to be a member