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Archive for category: snowboarding travel

Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2024: My Review

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Here’s my Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2024 review: It was a great day to get out with the family and walk over to the Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show. We live near the Exhibition Place grounds so walking to the Better Living Center building was very accessible. The last time I was at the Ski & Snowboard Show was in 2022, and I can tell you the venue and event was much better this year!

Keep reading…

Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2024 Review

Buying Tickets Online
Enter the Show & Walking the Grounds
Shopping at Corbett’s & So Hip
Checking Out the Kids Area

Buying Tickets Online

I bought my tickets online way in advance and got a 25% discount. I got 2 adults tickets for my wife and I, and since admission under the age of 12 is free, we could bring my daughter for no extra charge. It all came to $30. The online checkout process was simple to use and getting the ticket via email was handy.

Entering the Show & Walking the Grounds

There was a lot more to see and do this year compared to the last time I was at the show. There was a great variety of vendors.

toronto ski & snowboard show 2024Ikon had a large booth that almost felt like it was in the center of the floor plan.

Volvo had a few of their SUVs on display on the show floor.  There was also a bar serving drinks and a few local breweries, like Something in the Water, that had booths at the show.

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When you first enter the show, you are welcomed by a Greeter. They hand out a branded blue tote bag and I managed to gather a bunch of things to store in it as I walked the grounds.

I got some magazines, promo-flyers, 2-for-the-price-of-1 lift ticket coupons and a sheet of stickers.

They also had this wayfinder that shows you where all the resorts and retailers are located on the show floor.

Ski and snowboard resorts from all over Canada have a booth. You can walk up and ask questions about the resort and their accommodations. Most resorts have some kind of lift ticket or lodging promotion going on. There’s also a handful of choice resorts from Europe and USA too.

Near the food court area, there was a documentary film playing with a pioneer of skiing speaking about his experiences of living through the industry. I think having the video screen near the food court was a smart idea. It allowed attendees to rest and eat while still staying engaged in everything the show had to offer.

Shopping at Corbett’s & So Hip

We eventually made our way to Corbett’s area. Which is usually towards the back because they’re always the biggest retailer with the most floor space at the show.

I use to work at Corbett’s while I was growing up in Oakville. I ran into old friends Darren, Stu and Dave who I use to work with. It was nice to see familiar faces and to get a chance to briefly catch up.

k2 lil mini 75cm snowboardWe purchased a K2 Lil’ Mini 75cm with Ride Micro bindings. The board is twin-shaped with zero camber throughout most of the board but a bit or rocker outside the bindings. I’m excited for my daughter to have her first snowboard. The board has a built in tow-rope, so I can’t wait for the snow to start falling so I can pull my daughter along on her board.

The binding have a single strap for entry, making it easy to use for both kids and parents. The highback also adjusts to allow for multiple boot sizes, so you can get a couple seasons of use out of them This makes Micro bindings a solid choice for absolute beginners.

For my wife, I bought the Volcom Fern Ins Gore tex Pullover Jacket that she found. It was 50% off, marked down to $180 from $360.

I they went by So Hip and grabbed myself an extra pair of Stance socks. This are a merino wool blend. You can read my ultimate men’s snowboarding socks guide to find out why I chose a wool pair.

Checking Out the Kids Area

The Ski & Snowboard Show has had dedicated kids areas in the past, but this year’s was much better. They had this tubing slide you could ride down. There was also a skateboarding area set up with a mini ramp and a kicker jump. My daughter had a blast in the kids area (I did too!). They had this ‘grab mat’ on the ground that helped teach young kids the name and manoeuvre of different snowboarding grabs.

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learn-snowboarding-grab-mat

Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2024 Review Conclusion

I had a great outing with my family on a Saturday morning. We managed to score some gear at a great price and enjoyed the various vendors and booths that were set up. Even though we still have some more gear to buy–I’d like to get myself a new pair of gloves and jacket–I look forward to the upcoming snowboard season. If they hold another Ski & Snowboard Show at the Better Living Center again, I’ll definitely attend!

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Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2024: The Official Start of Winter

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The official start of winter is back! The Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show is happening October 25th-27th, 2024 at the Better Living Center.

I’m excited and already bought tickets for myself and the family.

You can see all the event details here (torontoskishow.ca). For adults (age 18-64) it only costs $20, youth (age 13-17) costs $12, while seniors (age 65+) also cost $12. Admission is free for anyone 12 years old or younger. Here’s link straight to the online ticket box office.

I’ve been attending the Ski & Snowboard Show for years, although I didn’t attend last year in 2023. You can read about my experience at the 2022 show here.

At that time, it was being held at the International Center in Mississauga, ON. It had been there for a number of years. But I’m excited that the show has moved back to the Better Living Center. The Ski & Snowboard Show use to be held at the Better Living Center at the Exhibition Place grounds in Toronto many more years back.

I live in the Liberty Village neighbourhood of Toronto, so walking over to the Better Living Center will be a cinch. If you see me at the show, come over and say hi!

I’ll write a blog review of my experience, so be sure to check back or follow me to stay in the loop.

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The Ultimate Guide on How to Become a Snowboard Instructor

how-to-become-a-snowboard-instructorIf you’re a young snowboarder with a deep passion for the sport and you want to get even more out of snowboarding, I recommend becoming a certified snowboard instructor in Ontario. Growing up as a teenager, I found it to be an incredible employment opportunity where I was able to make life-long friends, develop skills and create lasting memories.

I worked at Glen Eden in Milton, ON, for a number of seasons throughout high school and university. I first joined their volunteer apprenticeship program and then later became a CASI certified snowboard instructor. Going through Glen Eden’s snow school apprentice program in high school was a great way to collect the 40 mandatory community volunteering hours necessary for graduation in Ontario.

I’m providing this guide for any young person looking to navigate the process of becoming a snowboard instructor. By following the steps I list below, you’ll be able to carve out a path to finding employment at your nearest ski resort’s snow school.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Become a Snowboard Instructor

Step 1: Master your Snowboarding
Step 2: Understanding the Certification Process
Step 3: Get Volunteer Experience as an Apprentice
Step 4: Register for a CASI Course
Step 5: Secure Your Dream Job as a Snowboard Instructor

Master Your Snowboarding Skills

john-cerpnjak-snowboardingYou’ll never be able to teach snowboarding if you can’t snowboard well enough yourself. The first step to becoming a snowboard instructor is ensuring you have proficiency in snowboarding.

If you can, try to take snowboard lessons while you’re growing up. You’ll get a better sense of whether you’re a strong enough rider to pursue it as an employment possibility.

Most ski and snowboard resorts will provide snowboard lessons for youth up to the age of 16. In Ontario, all the major resorts (ie. Blue Mountain, Horseshoe Valley, Glen Eden, Mount St. Louis Moonstone etc.) provide 8-week programs. Where you can take a scheduled snowboard lesson once a week for 8 consecutive weeks during the winter season.

By having taken snowboarding lessons yourself, you’ll get a sense for how they’re run and if you could ever see yourself in the instructor’s position.

Understanding the Snowboard Instructor Certification Process

In Canada, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) is the recognized authority for snowboard instructor certifications. They have certification levels ranging from Level 1 to Level 4. To find employment as a snowboard instructor you’ll need to have received your Level 1 certification.

To achieve a certificate, you’ll need to pass both a teaching and riding examination for each level.

The following video demonstrates the snowboard riding skills required to pass standards for Level 1. If you can snowboard as well as the people in the video, then you might just be good enough to get your level 1 certification.

You’ll also need to be proficient in teaching theory. To learn the theory of teach lessons, you can refer to this video and this resource from the CASI website.

You can find all the details to register for courses from CASI.

Volunteer Apprenticeship to Become a Certified Snowboard Instructor

The best way to get hands-on experience is by becoming an apprentice, which requires volunteering your time. The nice thing is that your time can count towards the required 40hrs of community service required for high school graduation in Ontario.

Most ski resort snow schools have an apprenticeship program. I was an apprentice at Glen Eden where I got to assist with lessons being taught by certificated CASI instructors. Instructors would often have the apprentices preform demonstrations for the students. While the instructor leads, you’ll gradually take on more teaching responsibilities. You’ll get exposure to lessons being taught to adults, teens and kids. You’ll also gain an understanding of the different learning paces of various individuals.

Careers Pages for Snowboarding Jobs

Keep an eye out on the careers pages of your local ski resorts. Typically, positions will start posting around August to October in the lead-up to the coming winter season. Here’s some links to the careers pages of some ski resorts in Ontario:

Register for a CASI Course & Conquer the Examinations

You are now ready to register for the level 1 CASI course. This course takes place over 3 days. To see upcoming level 1 courses, check out this webpage and keep coming back to it for updates. The level 1 courses will take place at different resorts throughout the winter season. In the year that I got certified, there was a level 1 course taking place at Glen Eden during march break.

During the 3-day course, you’ll be lead by a CASI certificated course evaluator. You’ll spend the first 2 days learning about teaching techniques, safety protocols, and snowboarding theory. You’ll get time to practise your riding and get critiqued by the evaluator.

On the third day, you’ll be evaluated on everything you learned in the 2 days prior. Successfully passing these exams demonstrates your readiness to guide and mentor aspiring snowboarders.

Securing Your Dream Job

CASI-level-1-snowboard-instructor-certificateNow that you have your CASI level 1 certification, you’re ready to start applying to jobs!

Check out the careers pages that I linked to above and search for job boards online. Also note, you may also need to have your first-aid certification as a prerequisite for employment. This shouldn’t be too big of a problem as most grade 9 students in Ontario get first-aid training in school, usually through Phys. Ed class.

Your journey as an instructor doesn’t end with certification or landing your first job; it’s a continuous adventure of growth.

There are additional levels or certification that you can acquire. Additionally, if you continue to grow in your terrain park riding abilities, you can also get a Park Instructor certificate from CASI.

Becoming a certified snowboard instructor opens doors to a fulfilling career, but it’s also a lifelong adventure. As you guide others through their snowboarding journeys, you’ll witness the joy of progression, the triumph of conquering challenges, and the shared love for the sport.

If you’re a snowboard instructor, or thinking of becoming one, leave a comment below and share with me your experience finding employment in the industry.

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Test Riding the Burton Kendo Boots at Blue Mountain

test-riding-burton-kendo-bootsThe IKON Pass Experience at Blue Mountain

Southern Ontario got lucky with a snowfall during the Christmas break, so on Dec 27th, 2022 I decided to use my IKON pass to go snowboarding at Blue Mountain. Even though my IKON account says my pass was mailed out almost 2 months ago I still haven’t received it despite calling IKON customer support twice.

I was told that as long as I can show proof of an active IKON pass number and a photo ID, I should be able to receive a free lift ticket at participating resorts for the day.

This was put to the test at Blue Mountain and they passed! I had no issues acquiring a lift ticket.

Back Out to Make Some Turns…

This was my first time going snowboarding this season so I was excited. I brought all my video gear with me, which I carry strapped across my body with a fanny pack (it’s my wife’s fanny pack!) They had the snow-making machines going and there were scattered flurries throughout the day. The conditions were pretty decent for Ontario so I used the opportunity to stay off the groomers and venture out into the glades as much as I could.

I also have a new pair of Burton Kendo boots that I wanted to break in before my trip to Red Mountain in Rossland, BC later towards the end of January. I’ve been spending any extra time that I can find to prep and get into shape. I’ve been lifting weights and do calisthenic exercises at home. I’ve been trying to be diligent with my right shoulder after a few dislocations over the last several years. I’ve booked some physiotherapy sessions in order to get an assessment and make sure everything is functional before my trip.


Music: Three and a Half Feet High and Rising by El Ten Eleven

Test Riding Burton Kendo Boots

burton kendo bootsI was really happy with my new Burton Kendo boots. As far as the first day of riding with a new pair of boots ca go, I found them very comfortable. What I like most about these boots is their mid-flex and traditional laces.

I would describe them as having ‘goldilocks flex’, where it’s not too soft, not too stiff; just right. I got a solid 4 hours of riding out of them before my body was fatigued. The boots would have let me ride longer, but the muscles in my feet and calfs needed a rest.

I look forward to riding these boots while I’m out west. The imprint 3 liners in the boots were both supportive and warm. The articulated cuff is a key component to the boots’ mid-flex pattern. I’d recommend the Burton Kendo boots to anyone looking for a snowboard boot that has medium flex with a higher end liner, which should last you serval seasons depending on how much snowboarding you do.

 

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Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2022

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This past Friday, my wife and I went to check out the Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show at the International Center from Oct. 28th-30th, 2022. It was very exciting to me because this year marked the return of the event after it had been on hiatus the last few years because of the pandemic.

While growing up I loved attending the Ski & Snowboard show as it was the big industry kick-off event in the Greater Toronto Area to get enthusiasts stoked on the upcoming season. It was always a great place to meet up with friends in the scene, walk the isles of the trade show scoping out deals on gear from retainers and vacation packages from the resorts.

I’ve also worked at the Ski & Snowboard Show multiple times in the past when I was an employee at Corbett’s–who always has the biggest booth at the show–and have fond memories of attending the after parties at different venues throughout Toronto over the years.

Which is why it’s unfortunate I have to admit the show has become a shadow of its former self.

My Experience at the Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2022

Like I was saying, I was super excited for the show so I got there on the first day; the Friday.

I know from having worked at the show in the past, the first day is the best. You get first pickings on all the gear the snowboard shops bring to sell during the show. Plus, it’s less busy. The crowds really come on the Saturday and Sunday.

In the weeks ahead of time, I was already surfing all the snowboard websites doing product research. I knew exactly what I wanted to get. I was on the hunt for a pair of Burton Kendo boots and some fresh snowboarding socks. My last pair have a hole around my pinky toe.

I figured after I get my gear I’d take a walk around visiting the resort vendors at the show. Usually all the resorts in Ontario show up and have a table. Then some resorts around western Canada and the United States have booths too. I had already purchased an IKON base pass for this upcoming season months earlier.

Aside from riding Blue Mountain in Ontario, I’d like to go to Red Mountain in British Columbia with friends and Tremblant in Quebec this winter with family.

Walking around the Show

The first thing I did once I got through the entry gates was walk the outer perimeter of the trade floor. I immediately noticed that the show was smaller than it use to be. There were fewer vendors than I remember and a few that seemed out of place. There were people selling vacuum sealed salami and pepperettes, locally farmed honey and that granola snack brand MADE GOOD.

One of the coolest booth designs was for IKON Pass. If you don’t know, IKON is a season pass program where with one pass you can get access to a number of participating resorts. There’s over 51 resorts on the pass and they had this large print map that pinpointed all the resort locations.

All the resorts that were participating in the IKON pass had branded flags at their booths. I visited most of them to see if there were any opportunities to enter contests to win lift tickets or lodging packages.

While walking around a bit more I got myself a merino wool blend pair of Stance snowboarding socks. You should read my guide on snowboarding socks to understand why I went with a merino wool bend instead of polyester.

I then went to the Corbett’s booth in search for those Kendo boots but they didn’t have them. I then stumbled upon a vendor selling heat pads. They were called Express Heat Therapy.

I’ve had a few shoulder injuries while snowboarding and I thought purchasing a few heat pads could help with my recovery and wellbeing. They had a great deal, for $110 you could get a neck/shoulder heat pad, a lower back heat pad and 4 hand warmers which I though might come in handing while walking around the city in winter.

The neat thing about these therapeutic heat pads is that they are reusable.

Final Thoughts About the Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show 2022

It would seem that the glory days of the Toronto Ski & Snowboard show are behind us now. Snowboard Canada magazine no longer hosts after parties. I remember them being awesome times where I got to see premieres of the latest snowboard videos, there were musical acts like Trouble Andrew and I recall one time Andrew Hartingham bought me a shot.

The show overall seemed smaller and more tamed nowadays. Mind you, it’s only $20 to get in but I’m not sure if I’d continue to check out the show every year.

Maybe I’ll continue to go every once in a little while but there isn’t really enough going on at the show for me to recommend it to other people.

In the end, I decided to walk to the Burton Flagship store on Ossington in Toronto and I was able to buy the Kendo boots there. I’m excited to ride them and I’ll try and write a review post about it later this winter.

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Step 9 Snowboarding in Lake Louise, AB

Back in 2017, our snowboarding crew, Step 9, and I went on a trip out west. We road tripped to several mountain resorts.

We rode Sunshine Valley, Revelstoke and Kicking Horse, which all had sub-optimal snow conditions. We focused on having fun and made the best of what we could find.

At each resort we hiked around certain peaks and bowls trying to find powder. But we hadn’t found a line yet that could seal the deal on the trip. We just wanted to get our money’s worth in higher quality snow.

At this point we were near the end of our snowboarding trip so we were running out of time to find better snow.

As we packed up the SUV, we had to make the decision to either start driving back to the Calgary airport, or we could fit in one more resort in search for powder.

So while driving back to Calgary we pulled off the highway and headed for Lake Louise. We figured we would just try it out to see what was there. And even if the conditions weren’t great, well at least we could still hang around one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks.

Luckily for us, the snowboarding in Lake Louise was the best of the whole trip. Not to mention we had a lot more sun light too!

The top of the mountain was rather windy but we were prepared with the right amount of layering.

We only rode Lake Louise for a few hours but I captured a good amount of great footage with my  GoPro Hero Session. I edited all down to an 8 minute video for your viewing pleasure.

Within the video embedded above, there’s some music tracks I’d like to credit:

After riding the mountain resort we checked out the chateau and neighbouring areas. There was people ice skating on the lake and ice sculptures to walk around and admire. I even got to have a tasting of ice wine from Inniskillin. It was nice to see some delicious Ontario wines making it out to Alberta.

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snowboard road trip
snowboard road trip
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snowboard road trip gopro
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snowboard trip driving
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lake louise photographer
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lake louise gopro
lake lousie ice sculpture Canadian flag
lake lousie ice sculpture Canadian flag
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lake louise horses
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
lake louise ice sculpture
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lake louise snow sculpture
lake louise snow sculpture
lake louise snow sculpture
lake louise snow sculpture
lake louise snow sculpture
lake louise ice wine inniskillin
lake louise ice wine inniskillin
john cerpnjak zack zaza
john cerpnjak zack zaza
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Step 9 Snowboarding in Revelstoke, B.C.

Back in 2017, our snowboarding crew, Step 9, and I went on a trip out west. We road tripped to several mountain resorts. This video is a compilation of footage that was taken while we were snowboarding in Revelstoke.

By the time we got there the during our road trip, the resort hadn’t gotten any new snow in about 3 weeks.

So the conditions weren’t great and we got stuck in some marginal terrain.

snowboarding revelstoke bc

But that isn’t to say we didn’t still have an awesome time snowboarding in Revelstoke.

We rode Revelstoke for a couple days and I captured a several hours of footage on my GoPro Hero Session. I edited it all down to a video just under 8 and a half mins.

You’ll see in the video, but when we were at the top of the mountain the visibility was not good. There was heavy fog and it was tricky keeping track of where we were and where we needed to be.

As we made our way down the mountain the fog dissipated. We spent a lot of time riding through the trees and had to carve hard around some tight corners.

Some notable memories from the day are when we did a couple park laps, leaped down some drops and my one friend, Matt, fell and rattled his head pretty good. Matt had to sit out the rest of the trip and we teased him for having an egghead.

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Within the video embedded above, there’s some music tracks I’d like to credit:

If you’re ever considering a snowboard trip to Western Canada, I recommend you try snowboarding in Revelstoke. I think you’ll have a great time just as my friends and I did.

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Step 9 Snowboarding in Kicking Horse, Golden, B.C.

Back in 2017, our snowboarding crew (Step 9) and I went on a trip out west. We road tripped to several mountain resorts. This video is a compilation of footage that was taken while we were snowboarding in Kicking Horse.

It was my favourite resort that we visited. I’m going to make a point of returning to Kicking Horse again one day in the future.

During our trip snowboarding in Kicking Horse, we were there for only one day. I captured a couple hours of footage on my GoPro Hero Session. I edited it all down to a video just under 14 mins.

Kicking Horse was the second resort that we visited on our trip. We were first at Sunshine Valley in Banff, Alberta. I ended up dislocating my right shoulder towards the end of the first day riding. Although it wasn’t the first shoulder injury I’ve had, it is the first shoulder dislocation.

I had to sit out on day-two of Sunshine Valley. But once we got to Kicking Horse I was ready to strap in again!

I styled it easy while snowboarding in Kicking Horse. I didn’t want to re-injure myself.

snowboarding in kicking horse

Panoramic view of Whitewall.

Some notable memories from the day is when we hiked along a mountain ridge called Stairway to Heaven. We got to the top of this one run called Whitewall. It’s the steepest incline I’ve ever tried snowboarding, even to this day. Because of my shoulder injury I took it real slow, which is why I’d love to go back to Kicking Horse again. I’d love another shot at riding Whitewall where I can give it my all.

It you watch at the 5:11 mark in the video, you’ll get a sense for how steep it was. But to be honest, I don’t think the GoPro footage truly does it justice.

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  • snowboarding in kicking horse
  • john cerpnjak snowboarding kicking horse
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Within the video embedded above, there’s some music tracks I’d like to credit:

If you’re ever considering a snowboard trip to Western Canada, I recommend you try snowboarding in Kicking Horse. I think you’ll have a great time just as my friends and I did.

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Pandemic Snowboarding at Blue Mountain

On March 3rd, 2021, I got outside to enjoy some Pandemic Snowboarding at Blue Mountain. I brought with me my GoPro Hero Session along with my Smartree selfie stick. I captured some footage from various runs and edited this quick video just for fun. I’ll admit it’s nothing special. But I did include Once in a Lifetime by the Talking Heads as the music.

The sky was overcast and tuned to a dull grey, but some sunshine did break through for about 2 hours midday. Visibility was fine, if not just a little bit flat. But with my Oakley Flight Deck goggles it wasn’t much of a concern.

Because of the pandemic, capacity at the resort was fairly low. I noticed in the earlier hours in the morning that the lift lines and runs were busier than what I was expecting. But as the day went on the ridership decreased. I assumed that the larger crowd in the morning was related to locals who have a season’s pass. They were probably out riding for a few hours before heading back home.

I also got to try out a new pair of snowboard boots that I bought for myself; the ThirtyTwo Lashed. I have to tell you it was difficult to break them in.

The first 4-5 runs were painful. I could feel the pinky toes in both my feet getting squished. They felt tingly because the blood circulation was cutting off. I took a break for lunch and stuck them under the dashboard of my truck and turned on the lower vent heating. I got the boots nice and hot. After lunch I put the boots back on and kept riding. I noticed a big improvement. They are still a little tight but I believe they’ll still pack out a bit more and become more comfortable over time.

With my feet feeling much more comfortable I was able to rip a lot harder in the afternoon compared to the morning.

snowboarding face maskBecause I was out pandemic snowboarding at Blue Mountain, wearing a mask was mandatory. Luckily, I got this “multi-purpose fabric” as part of some free swag when I use to work at Corbett’s. It can be folded into a bunch of different uses such as a headband, bandana, wristband, pocket square, as well as a face mask! It was perfect for these covid times. Some people might think the multi-coloured yeti print is dorky but I dig it.

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Pandemic Snowboarding 2020/2021: What you need to know

pandemic snowboardingThe winter season of 2020/2021 will go down in history as the pandemic snowboarding season. It’s been tough on resorts, shops and snowboarding enthusiast alike. In this post we’ll explore how the lockdown is affecting snowboarding in Ontario, Canada, for better and for worse, during the pandemic snowboarding season.

Pandemic Snowboarding 2020/2021: What You Need to Know

Forced Closure of Ontario Ski Resorts
Positive Side Effects of the Pandemic
Negative Side Effects of the Pandemic
How to Purchase Lift Tickets During the Pandemic
How to Ride the Chairlift During the Pandemic
Rules for Base Lodges & Dining
Parking Lot Management

Ski Resorts forced to close for about a month during the season

In Ontario specifically, I’m sure everyone was aware of how absurd the restrictions against ski resorts were during the second wave of the pandemic and its resulting government mandated lockdown. While other outdoor activities such as ice skating, tobogganing and snow shoeing were allowed to resume, ski resorts had to shut down from Dec. 21st, 2020 until Jan. 23rd, 2021.

Ski resorts hit hard by lockdown | CTV News

The reason this was strange is because ski resorts all across the province made significant investments to add various safety features in order to comply with pandemic health regulations. The main concern was with indoor chalets, their cafeterias and indoor seating areas.

Investments were made in installing plexiglass barriers indoors with improved ventilation, along with expanding outdoor seating areas and purchasing additional outdoor heating. When it came to concerns about crowding in lift lines, it was well documented several months before the winter season began that because of the length of skis and snowboards, riders naturally stood 2 meters apart. When sitting on a chairlift, only groups from the same household could go together. Single riders would have to take their own chairlift, or sit with a seat space between them and someone else.

Essentially, the entire ski resort industry had all the checks and precautions in place so that people could enjoy snowboarding safely during the pandemic.

That’s why the government mandated lockdown was so frustrating. It really did nothing but hurt the businesses and jobs in the snowboarding industry. The economic effects on the snowboarding industry because of the lockdown will be felt for years.

Lockdown could cost ski resorts more than the season | CTV News

Some positive side effects of the Pandemic Snowboarding Season

Ski resorts have had to lower their capacity because of the pandemic. Both in reducing the number of lift tickets available for purchase each day and the number of people allowed on a chairlift or gondola. Because of this, there has been less rider turnout.

So for the folks who are getting out on the mountain this season, less riders means more terrain for the rest of us.

Runs are often open and the snow less tracked. Despite all the disruption to ski resorts, this winter may be one of the best opportunities to get out and enjoy snowboarding.

pandemic snowboarding capacity

From a health and safety stand point, going snowboarding is relatively low risk.

Riders are not particularly susceptible to the covid-19 virus when snowboarding out in the fresh air while wearing goggles, gloves, face masks. Not to mention, their equipment forces physical distancing.

I highly encourage anyone who can afford it, to get out and go snowboarding this winter!

Some negative side effects of the Pandemic Snowboarding Season

With noticeably less riders turning out this winter and the shutdown from December to January, ski resorts have had to try and recoup those loses.

This means that all the costs of snowboarding have increased. Lift tickets will be more expensive, along with food, equipment rentals and lodging.

To put into perspective how much prices have inflated this year, I looked at the lift ticket pricing for Blue Mountain, which is Ontario’s most popular ski resort.

Last year, an Adults Day Lift Pass cost $65-75 depending on which day of the week you went snowboarding. This year, the same Adults Day Lift Pass can cost between $83-103.

That’s a significant increase and it’s to be expected.

Snowboarding has been criticized for being an overly expensive sport. This affects participation and engagement from year to year. With increased pricing, snowboarding becomes less accessible for lower income people.

How to purchase lift tickets during the Pandemic Snowboarding Season

Ski resorts are required to limit capacity in order to control the amount of people in lift lines, the chairlifts and inside chalets. To do this, walk-up lift tickets will not be available for purchase. Instead, people will have to purchase their lift tickets online ahead of time.

However, quantities are limited.

If you want to snowboard with your friends or family this winter, you’ll have to plan in advance.

All the major ski resorts in Ontario have created e-commerce section on their websites to allow for the online purchasing of lift tickets.

In order to purchase a ticket you’ll have to select your age group (kids, adults, seniors). Then select your time of riding, such as Day or Night Skiing. Then select the number of lift tickets you plan to purchase. You will then be given a calendar which will display the available dates that still have tickets for purchase. Once you’ve made all your selections you can then check out.

How to ride chairlifts during Pandemic Snowboarding

Chairlift operators will be monitoring riders more closely this winter season. To follow Ontario regulations, chairlifts may be loaded with one seat separating household groups. I encourage riders to follow these rules to keep lift lines moving as quickly as possible.

In the diagram each coloured person represents a separate household group. This is easy to follow if you go with your family. What isn’t clear with these rules is if you go snowboarding with a group of friends. Are your group of friends considered one “household”, or is each friend considered a different household group?

When approaching the chairlift it would be best to ask for clarification from the Chairlift Attendant. The specifics around chairlift loading may be slightly different depending on the ski resort.

Rules for Base Lodges & Dining

There are capacity limits for Base Lodges, cafeterias and restaurants. Reducing the capacity will allow for physical distancing. Some ski resort in Ontario, like Blue Mountain, have said that reservations will be required to access cafeterias and restaurants.

If you do plan to use the Base Lodge at a ski resort you may want to check their websites for reservation information just to be safe.

Additionally, all guests will be required to wear masks at all times when not seated at tables.

This winter the storage of personal bags and pre-packed lunches in cubbies will not be allowed in Base Lodges. Some ski resorts have paid lockers available. This means you may have to leave your lunch in the car while snowboarding.

Parking Lot Management

Further efforts have been made to manage capacity by monitoring parking lots. You’ll notice many parking lots across the ski resorts in Ontario have been reduced in size.

Because of this I encourage everyone who plans to go snowboarding to pack up the car and hit the road a bit earlier. You’ll want to get to the resort as soon as possible since there will be fewer parking space.

I’ve heard that when these smaller sized parking lots reach capacity people might get turned away. This could result in you having to park further away from the ski resort grounds.

You’ll want to plan your trips to the ski resorts around busy and quite hours. This chart displays an average of the guest volume across Ontario ski resorts.

skier visit guide

I won’t lie, there are many more hoops people will have to jump through this winter if they want to get out snowboarding. But at the same time, with decreased ridership this winter, it could turn out to be the best. The snow conditions have been better than last season.

With the Ontario government telling people to say home even as restrictions are slowly being lifted, now is the best time to get out and enjoy some winter activities when the terrain is wide open. I encourage anyone who can afford it to make a trip with friends or family to their local ski resort this winter.

Maybe I’ll even see you out there!

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