It may be true that we don’t have proper mountains in Ontario but even on smaller hills, Skiing and Snowboarding are great fun.
We’re visiting Mt St Louis Moonstone, a ski-hill that’s just over an hour outside of Toronto. While we’re all going as a group, you’ll choose your own adventure when you’re there according to whether you have experience or are going for the first time.
This trip is organized differently to our regular adventures - you’ll need to book your lift pass and rental directly with the hill. You have the option of booking a beginner’s package that includes your gear, access to the easier runs and some basic instruction that’s great value or otherwise, access to the whole hill along with equipment rentals for more experienced visitors. You can choose Snowboard or Ski. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to tackle more advanced runs once you have the basics down.
If you haven't booked with the hill yet you should do so immediately! They do sell out and it's significantly cheaper to purchase in advance.
We'll meet up with self-drivers when we get there then split into groups according to experience - you're also welcome to go off completely solo.
Those who've booked the beginner package get a basic lesson on a nice and easy hill then have access to a more limited number of lifts. Everyone else will be able to visit any part of the hill they'd like.
We'll set up a time to meet at lunch so we can eat together before heading back out again.
07:25: Those getting a ride meet up at the Petro Canada gas station next to Keele Subway.
07:30 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and don't wait for latecomers so please be on time!
09:00 - Meet with Self Drivers at the information desk at the Mt St Louis Base Lodge. Collect rentals and head out for lesson.
10:00 - Group lesson begins
12:30 - All meet in the cafeteria area for lunch
13:15 - Back to the slopes
15:45 - Return gear at the lodge
16:00 - Meet back at the information desk to head back to Toronto
17:30 - Rough arrival time back at Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
This is a good summary of what you should wear. Don’t worry if you don’t have specific skiing clothing - you’ll be fine using the same kind of clothes you take on a winter hike. Think warm, waterproof layers (not jeans, not cotton). Goggles are nice to have (especially if it’s snowing) but you’ll do just fine with sunglasses. Beware that they may fog up however!
You’ll want to wear thick socks to go with the boots you’ll be renting and make sure that you have a good, thick pair of gloves that won’t absorb moisture. You're going to find out that you warm up pretty quickly then get cold again when you stop so having clothes you can easily open up to air then close up for warmth is key.
Your rental comes with a helmet - you need to wear it. Skiing/Snowboarding is a dangerous sport and accidents are very common.
You can leave any excess gear with Isaac at the lodge so there's no need to get a locker.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
There's lunch at the cafe but you can also bring a packed lunch, snacks are also a good idea.
Please be aware that Skiing and Snowboarding are dangerous, injuries are very common and Wilderness Union is not responsible for your safety nor your coaching! We are simply providing transport.
If you’re a beginner, do the beginner lessons and stick to smaller hills that you’re comfortable with.
Mt St Louis provides a good safety briefing that you’re strongly advised to read before the trip.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Mt St Louis Moonstone sits on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek, Huron-Wendat and Mississauga first nations.
It may be true that we don’t have proper mountains in Ontario but even on smaller hills, Skiing and Snowboarding are great fun.
We’re visiting Mt St Louis Moonstone, a ski-hill that’s just over an hour outside of Toronto. While we’re all going as a group, you’ll choose your own adventure when you’re there according to whether you have experience or are going for the first time.
This trip is organized differently to our regular adventures - you’ll need to book your lift pass and rental directly with the hill. You have the option of booking a beginner’s package that includes your gear, access to the easier runs and some basic instruction that’s great value or otherwise, access to the whole hill along with equipment rentals for more experienced visitors. You can choose Snowboard or Ski. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to tackle more advanced runs once you have the basics down.
If you haven't booked with the hill yet you should do so immediately! They do sell out and it's significantly cheaper to purchase in advance.
We'll meet up with self-drivers when we get there then split into groups according to experience - you're also welcome to go off completely solo.
Those who've booked the beginner package get a basic lesson on a nice and easy hill then have access to a more limited number of lifts. Everyone else will be able to visit any part of the hill they'd like.
We'll set up a time to meet at lunch so we can eat together before heading back out again.
07:25: Those getting a ride meet up at the Petro Canada gas station next to Keele Subway.
07:30 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and don't wait for latecomers so please be on time!
09:00 - Meet with Self Drivers at the information desk at the Mt St Louis Base Lodge. Collect rentals and head out for lesson.
10:00 - Group lesson begins
12:30 - All meet in the cafeteria area for lunch
13:15 - Back to the slopes
15:45 - Return gear at the lodge
16:00 - Meet back at the information desk to head back to Toronto
17:30 - Rough arrival time back at Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
This is a good summary of what you should wear. Don’t worry if you don’t have specific skiing clothing - you’ll be fine using the same kind of clothes you take on a winter hike. Think warm, waterproof layers (not jeans, not cotton). Goggles are nice to have (especially if it’s snowing) but you’ll do just fine with sunglasses. Beware that they may fog up however!
You’ll want to wear thick socks to go with the boots you’ll be renting and make sure that you have a good, thick pair of gloves that won’t absorb moisture. You're going to find out that you warm up pretty quickly then get cold again when you stop so having clothes you can easily open up to air then close up for warmth is key.
Your rental comes with a helmet - you need to wear it. Skiing/Snowboarding is a dangerous sport and accidents are very common.
You can leave any excess gear with Isaac at the lodge so there's no need to get a locker.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
There's lunch at the cafe but you can also bring a packed lunch, snacks are also a good idea.
Please be aware that Skiing and Snowboarding are dangerous, injuries are very common and Wilderness Union is not responsible for your safety nor your coaching! We are simply providing transport.
If you’re a beginner, do the beginner lessons and stick to smaller hills that you’re comfortable with.
Mt St Louis provides a good safety briefing that you’re strongly advised to read before the trip.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Mt St Louis Moonstone sits on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek, Huron-Wendat and Mississauga first nations.
