Collingwood

Blue Mountain's ski runs are visible from the main street in Collingwood, and in winter the town operates on two rhythms: the daily commuters heading south on Highway 26 toward Barrie, and the weekend crowd arriving from Toronto with roof racks loaded. But Collingwood has worked hard over the past decade to be more than a ski-season destination, and it has largely succeeded. The downtown on Hurontario Street is lively year-round, the harbour area has been redeveloped into a waterfront district, and the cycling trails that connect Collingwood to Meaford and Wasaga Beach draw riders from across the province.

Blue Mountain Resort

Blue Mountain is the largest ski area in Ontario, with 42 runs spread across 364 feet of vertical drop on the Niagara Escarpment face above Georgian Bay. Those are modest numbers compared to Quebec or the Rockies, but for southern Ontario, this is as good as downhill skiing gets without crossing a provincial border. The resort operates lifts from December through March, conditions permitting, and the village at the base has expanded into a year-round complex of restaurants, shops, and a conference centre.

In summer, Blue Mountain converts to a mountain biking and hiking destination. The Ridge Runner mountain coaster, the open-air gondola, and the Scenic Caves adventure course keep the village busy through the warm months. Weekends can feel theme-park crowded during peak ski season and holiday periods. If you are looking for a quieter experience, midweek is always the better call.

Downtown Hurontario Street

Collingwood's main street is one of the better commercial strips in small-town Ontario. The buildings are a mix of restored Victorian brick and newer infill, and the tenant mix leans toward independent restaurants, craft breweries, and specialty shops rather than chain retail. The Collingwood Brewery, Northwinds Brewhouse, and Side Launch Brewing have all established themselves in or near the downtown core, making Collingwood one of the more concentrated brewery towns in the province.

For dining, the range is surprisingly broad for a town of 25,000. Italian, Thai, Mexican, farm-to-table, and the requisite pub fare are all represented. Summer patios along Hurontario fill up on weekend evenings, and reservations are a good idea at the more popular spots from June through September.

The Harbour and Waterfront

Collingwood's harbour was once the centre of the town's shipbuilding industry. The last shipyard closed in 1986, and the waterfront has since been redeveloped with a trail system, parkland, and mixed-use buildings. Millennium Park, at the harbour's edge, has a splash pad, playground, and open green space. The Collingwood Terminals building, a massive grain elevator on the waterfront, is a landmark that has been the subject of redevelopment proposals for years.

The Georgian Trail, a 34 km paved multi-use path, connects Collingwood to Meaford along the Georgian Bay shoreline. It is flat, scenic, and one of the best recreational cycling routes in the region. The trail is also popular with walkers and, in winter, cross-country skiers.

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

Scenic Caves, about 10 km west of the Blue Mountain village on the escarpment, offers a network of caves, crevices, and a suspension bridge 25 metres above the forest floor. The views from the escarpment edge across Georgian Bay are the real draw. In winter, the site operates a Nordic skiing and snowshoeing network. It is a good half-day outing and an alternative to the resort village atmosphere at Blue Mountain itself.

Getting There

Collingwood is approximately 150 km north of Toronto, about 1.5 hours via Highway 400 to Highway 26. The route is straightforward but Highway 400 northbound on Friday evenings and southbound on Sunday afternoons is heavy, especially in ski season. There is no GO Transit service to Collingwood, so a car is necessary. The community guide at collingwood.net has more on local events and seasonal happenings.

Nearby