It’s no surprise that residents of Northern Ontario love winter fun. Where rugged Canadian Shield topography, long seasons and incredible snowfall meet you’ll discover some of the finest downhill skiing and snowboarding in Ontario—with short lift lines and friendly vibes. With plenty of small, community hills and veritable mountains with the tallest vertical and longest runs in the province, Northern Ontario is a fantastic destination for a ski trip.
From Moonbeam to Mattawa, along with the urban centres of Sudbury, North Bay and Timmins, there are plenty of options for downhill skiing and snowboarding in The Seven.
North Bay’s Laurentian Ski Hill has 11 runs and a terrain park spread across 350 feet of vertical feet of elevation, with options for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The hill is open Wednesday through Sunday, with night riding on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The Larder Lake Ski Hill is a gem of a small-town ski hill in the Northeastern Ontario community of Larder Lake. Its five runs and T-bar tow are open weekends throughout the winter.
The Adanac Ski Hill in Sudbury takes advantage of the Nickel City’s rugged landscape to provide excellent downhill skiing and snowboarding. Snowmaking enhances the skiing experience throughout the ski season, which runs all winter long Wednesday through Sunday, with night riding available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
The community of Moonbeam, located near Kapuskasing on Highway 11, boasts Ontario’s northernmost slopes for downhill skiing. The Moonbeam Ski Hill, home of the local Remi Ski Club, is volunteer-run and open on weekends throughout the winter.
Believe it or not, one of Ontario’s tallest ski hills is based in the small Northeastern Ontario town of Mattawa. Credit the rugged Laurentian topography for Antoine Mountain’s over 700 vertical feet of elevation. The resort also boasts Ontario’s longest ski run at 2.9 km. Antoine Mountain is open weekends for skiing and snowboarding throughout the winter, with rentals and lessons available.
Timmins’ Mount Jamieson Resort has a unique geological history. Believe it or not, at one time in the distant past it was a volcano! Today, Mount Jamieson is open daily throughout the winter from December through March, with great skiing and apres at the Kam Eatery and Bar.
Located in the snowbelt of Great Lakes Superior and Huron, Algoma Country delivers winters of epic proportions—along with some great downhill ski areas for you to enjoy the powder.
Located less than an hour’s drive north of Sault Ste. Marie, Searchmont Resort features some of the most exciting downhill ski terrain in Ontario, with epic natural snow (and high-tech snowmaking) that often blankets the rugged, 700 feet of vertical from late November well into April. The slopes are open Wednesday through Sunday until the end of March, as well as holidays, and April weekends. Night skiing is available starting in December.
This community ski hill in Elliot Lake has a reputation for short lift lines, a friendly vibe and—most importantly—impressive terrain for beginners and intermediate downhill skiers. Mount Dufour is open Friday through Sunday, typically from December through March.
Downhill ski enthusiasts in Chapleau don’t have to venture out of town to hit the slopes. The volunteer-run Chapleau Ski Hill features 130 feet of vertical, and it’s open on weekends, with night skiing available Wednesday through Saturday, throughout the winter months.
Northwestern Ontario’s Superior Country is a winter stronghold, evidenced by a rich history of alpine skiing and great hills in communities large and small.
Located in Thunder Bay, Mount Baldy is one of Ontario’s oldest downhill ski areas, with the distinction of being the site of the province’s first chairlift (in 1959). Today, it’s hub for great skiing and snowboarding, with a mix of terrain across nearly 400 feet of vertical elevation and a friendly vibe. The hill is open Wednesday through Sunday, with night riding on weekends. Rentals and instruction are also available.
Loch Lomond is Thunder Bay’s largest downhill ski area, boasting central Canada’s best terrain (including a backcountry run for expert skiers) and plenty of snow. The schedule varies, but in general the mountain is open Wednesday through Sunday, with night riding Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The lifts are open seven days a week during the holidays and peak season in late February and early March. Loch Lomond provides a resort experience with a friendly vibe, including rentals and a snow school, dining lounge and more.
Mount Fairweather is a classic small-town, volunteer-run ski hill located in the northwestern Ontario town of Atikokan. The hill is open weekends and holidays from late December through March.
Tucked behind the town of Terrace Bay with great views of Lake Superior, Trestle Ridge Ski Hill has a range of options for downhill skiing and snowboarding as well as a terrain park. The hill is open weekends December through March.
Manitouwadge’s Kwissa Ski Hill has an impressive 310 feet of vertical with 10 runs, overlooking the town and surrounding boreal forest. The hill has a long history of providing winter fun for community members and visitors, dating back to the 1950s. Kwissa is open weekends all winter long and occasionally open for night skiing.
Located in the far northwestern corner of Ontario, Sunset Country is made up of small, friendly towns with a distinctive passion for winter. There’s no better way to get a sense of local flavour than at community ski hills in Kenora and Dryden.
Mount Evergreen is Kenora’s winter resort, featuring downhill skiing and snowboarding, nordic skiing and tubing. The hill boasts a dozen runs plus a learning area and terrain park, made vibrant by the efforts of local volunteers and open Friday night, Saturday and Sunday through the winter.
Ski Dryden is operated by local volunteers, with the slopes open weekends from December through March.
Northern Ontario is a downhill skiing paradise. Check out these 16 downhill ski resorts across the province and plan your winter adventure today.
