It is the question that comes up in every group chat when someone suggests a Blue Mountain trip: "But I don't ski. Is there anything for me to do?"
The answer is an emphatic yes. Blue Mountain has evolved far beyond its ski-resort origins into a genuine four-season destination with enough non-skiing activities to fill multiple days. In fact, many of our guests at Blue View Chalets never touch a pair of skis — and they have an incredible time.
Winter Non-Ski Activities
Even in the heart of ski season, Blue Mountain offers a full slate of activities for non-skiers.
Open-Air Gondola
The scenic gondola ride carries you to the summit of Blue Mountain and back without requiring any athletic ability whatsoever. The ride takes approximately 8 minutes each way and offers stunning panoramic views of Georgian Bay, the Niagara Escarpment, and the surrounding countryside. On clear days, visibility extends for kilometres across the frozen bay.
Tickets are approximately $25 per adult and no reservation is needed. It is one of the simplest and most rewarding activities on the mountain.
Woodview Mountaintop Skating
Blue Mountain's outdoor skating loop winds 1.1 kilometres through the forest at the top of the mountain. Unlike a standard rink, this is a meandering trail through snow-covered trees — it feels like skating through a winter wonderland. The cost is approximately $15 per person, which includes skate rental if you need it.
The skating trail is well-maintained and suitable for all ability levels, including children and wobbly beginners. There are benches along the route for resting, and the experience takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Tube Park
The Tube Park requires zero skill and delivers maximum fun. You sit in an inflatable tube, get a push, and slide down a groomed lane. It is pure, simple, gleeful entertainment for all ages. The park has multiple lanes of varying speed, so even cautious visitors can find their comfort level.
Tickets are approximately $35 per person for a session, and the park is open throughout the winter season. No reservation is typically needed on weekdays, but weekend sessions can sell out.
Snowshoeing
Several marked snowshoe trails wind through the forests and along the Escarpment near Blue Mountain. Snowshoeing is essentially walking with oversized footwear — if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Rental equipment is available at the resort and through local outfitters. The trails offer peaceful forest immersion without the speed or skill demands of skiing.
Scenic Caves Winter Tours
About 10 minutes from Blue Mountain, Scenic Caves Nature Adventures offers guided winter snowshoe tours through frozen caves and along Ontario's longest suspension bridge (126 metres). The caves take on a magical quality in winter, with ice formations clinging to the rock walls. The guided experience takes approximately 2 hours and is suitable for anyone with moderate mobility.
Year-Round Activities
These attractions operate regardless of the season.
Scandinave Spa
The Scandinave Spa is many visitors' primary reason for coming to Blue Mountain, skiing or no skiing. This Nordic-inspired outdoor spa sits in a forested hillside and features hot baths, cold plunges, steam rooms, saunas, and quiet relaxation areas.
The experience follows the traditional Scandinavian thermal cycle: hot, cold, rest, repeat. Plan for 3 to 4 hours. Admission is approximately $80 per person and includes access to all facilities. The spa operates in silence, which means it is genuinely relaxing rather than a social scene.
In winter, the contrast between steaming hot pools and cold air is extraordinary. In summer, the forest canopy provides shade and the experience feels tropical. Every season offers something different.
Blue Mountain Village
The pedestrian village at the base of the mountain is a destination in itself. Over 30 shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues line the cobblestone streets. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours browsing clothing boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, and specialty food stores without any plan or agenda.
The village is free to enter and explore. It is architecturally modelled after a European alpine village, with colourful facades and a central courtyard that hosts events and live music throughout the year.
Plunge! Aquatic Centre
The indoor and outdoor water park features waterslides, a wave pool, lap lanes, hot tubs, and a lazy river. It operates year-round, making it a reliable option regardless of weather. Families with children will find hours of entertainment here.
Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster
The Ridge Runner is a 1-kilometre gravity-driven coaster that winds through the forest on a fixed track. You control your own speed with a hand brake, so the experience can be gentle or thrilling depending on your preference. No skill or experience is needed. The coaster operates year-round, weather permitting, and is suitable for ages 3 and up (children under a certain height ride with an adult).
Shopping and Dining
For visitors who consider shopping and dining to be activities in their own right, the Blue Mountain area delivers.
Blue Mountain Village Dining
The village offers diverse dining options:
- Rusty's at Blue — Casual pub fare with a ski-lodge atmosphere
- Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill — Upscale dining with an excellent wine list
- Firehall Pizza Co. — Wood-fired pizzas, family-friendly
- Tholos Greek Kouzina — Greek cuisine, fresh and flavourful
- Kaytoo Restaurant & Bar — West Coast-inspired menu, great cocktails
Collingwood Downtown
Just 10 minutes from Blue Mountain, Collingwood's Hurontario Street is a vibrant main street with over 60 independent shops and more than 30 restaurants. This is a real town, not a resort village, and the dining and shopping reflect genuine local character.
Highlights include Side Launch Brewing for craft beer, Tremont Café for brunch, The Huron Club for upscale dining, and dozens of boutiques, antique shops, and galleries lining the main strip.
Thornbury
Another 10 minutes northwest, the harbour village of Thornbury offers artisan shops, craft cider at Thornbury Craft Cider Co., and charming cafes like Good Grief Coffee. It is worth a half-day visit on its own.
Your Chalet as the Activity
Here is something that gets overlooked: your chalet at Blue View Chalets is itself a premium experience. Our properties feature:
- Hot tubs — Available at every chalet, and there is nothing quite like a winter hot tub session with snow falling around you
- Fireplaces — Gas or wood-burning fireplaces create an atmosphere that makes staying in feel like an indulgence rather than a compromise
- Full gourmet kitchens — Cook together as a group, try a new recipe, or arrange a private chef experience
- Comfortable living spaces — Large living rooms with big-screen TVs, board games, and plenty of room to spread out
- Saunas — Available in select chalets for a spa-like experience without leaving the property
Many of our guests tell us that the chalet itself was the highlight of their trip — that slowing down, cooking meals together, and lounging by the fire was exactly what they needed.
The Mixed-Group Game Plan
The most common scenario we see is a group where half the people ski and half do not. Here is the game plan that works every time:
Morning Split
Drop the skiers at the hill by 9:00 AM when the lifts open. They get first tracks on freshly groomed runs. The non-skiers take the car and head to their activity of choice — spa, village shopping, Thornbury exploration, scenic gondola, or a leisurely brunch.
Afternoon Reunion
Skiers typically start losing steam by 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Reconvene at the chalet or a village restaurant for apres-ski drinks and stories. The non-skiers have had a full, satisfying day. The skiers are tired and happy. Everyone wins.
Evening Together
Cook dinner together at the chalet, or head out to a Collingwood restaurant. Settle into the hot tub. Play board games. Watch a movie. The shared evening experience is where the group trip magic happens, regardless of what everyone did during the day.
Book a Trip for Everyone
Blue Mountain is not just for skiers. It is a destination with enough variety and depth to satisfy every type of traveller, whether you want adventure, relaxation, shopping, dining, or simply a beautiful place to gather with people you care about.
Explore our 10 luxury chalets at [Blue View Chalets](https://booking.blueviewchalets.com/) and plan a trip that works for your entire group — skiers and non-skiers alike.
Or call us at (416) 203-2057
