Enjoy Blue Mountain Resort on a Budget

At the end of July, my family and I got to experience a luxurious and fun-filled three day vacation at one of Ontario’s greatest destinations: Blue Mountain Resort.  While we were spoiled with staying at the Westin, embracing every possible activity available and eating at some of the finest establishments in the village, I also realized that the trip can be enjoyed without all these luxuries.  Specifically, a lot of the activities that my family were attracted to were free or fairly reasonably priced.  You also pay a discounted price on activities if your’e staying at one of the hotels in the village. With so many things to see and do, there is no reason any family should miss out on an opportunity to enjoy the wonders of Blue Mountain. Here are some of my tips for enjoying Blue Mountain Resort on a budget.

1. Spray Pad – on a nice, hot, summer day, all you really need is a spray pad! Within minutes of arriving at the village, my sons noticed the spray pad. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect for playing around in the water.  We didn’t even have a chance to take off my boy’s clothes and they were off running in and out of the spray pads.  They were having such a blast playing around in there that we almost missed out on our lunch reservations.  The spray pad is located in the village, close to the bottom of the hills.

2. Chess & Checkers – enjoy a life-size game of chess and checkers in the village.  I’m not sure if it’s just my kids, but this was the one activity that my sons could keep on doing over and over again.  At every possible opportunity my son asked to play.  He even waited over half an hour for others to finish their game just so he can have his turn.  The games are free. Checkers is located near Crock A Doodle Pottery and Chess is located at the base.

3. Private Beach – if you’re staying overnight at one of the resort’s hotels, you receive exclusive free access to Blue Mountain’s private beach. Just a 10 minute drive from the resort, the beach is located on the shore of Georgian Bay.  Amenities include change rooms, washrooms, food and a shuttle.  Free activities include children’s sand toys, volleyball, croquet and soccer nets and lounge chairs.

4. Guided Hike & Gondola Ride – grab your runners and meet your friendly guide outside of the Columbia store.  This activity is available everyday at 10:30 AM and includes a guided hike up the mountain and free gondola ride back down (as a reward for your awesome effort… we are talking ski hills after all).  Of course, keeners are welcome to walk back down the hill.

5. Movies Under the Stars – Every Monday and Thursday starting at dusk, take your family to the Village Events Plaza and enjoy a free (box-office hit) family movie. Muskoka chairs are provided for your viewing pleasure.  Click here for a full listing of movies.

6. Scavenger Hunt – Pick up your copy of a free scavenger hunt and enjoy some time wandering around the village and enjoying quality time with your family.  One of our favourite things to do was search for the best door handles and rate them. There are three scavenger hunts: the first is in the Village for older children (7-10), the second is for kids to take on a hike up the mountain, and the third is in the Village for younger children (4-6). Scavenger hunt sheets are available at the Blue Mountain visitor information booth located in the village.  

7. Food – while I strongly believe that most of the restaurants at the village are reasonably priced and affordable, if you’re looking for an alternative, you can head into Collingwood where you can find a Loblaws and Metro to purchase some of your own food.  Enjoy a nice outdoor picnic with your family one of the various green spaces in and around the village.

Some of the other great free activities include a playground, frog catching at the pond, daily live music, yoga on the docks (Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30AM for hotel guests),  and First Track Yoga (Friday at 8:30AM).

To find out more and schedule your family’s getaway, check out Blue Mountain’s Events & Activities listings.