Ski Snow Valley
Ski Snow Valley is a ski resort located in Minesing, Ontario, north of Barrie Ontario. It has 3 ski lifts, and a snow tubing facility operating in the winter. In the summers, Snow Valley offers weddings, banquet and corporate events. Ski Snow Valley was named "best Ontario hill for kids" by Ski Canada Magazine in 2001.[4]
| Ski Snow Valley Resort | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Ski Snow Valley Resort Location within Ontario | |
| Nearest major city | Barrie, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44.4114°N 79.7926°W |
| Vertical | 85 m (279 ft)[1] |
| Top elevation | 321 m (1,053 ft)[1] |
| Base elevation | 236 m (774 ft)[1] |
| Skiable area | ≈ 85 acres (34 ha)[1] |
| Runs | |
| Longest run | 0.625 mi (1.006 km)[2] |
| Lift system | 9[1] |
| Terrain parks | 1 |
| Snowfall | 238 centimetres (94 in)[1] |
| Snowmaking | Yes[3] |
| Night skiing | Yes[1] |
| Website | www |
Operations
Snow Valley has 3 chair lifts operating continuously. In the east, the Quad, a 4-person lift services a number of runs. Central to the chalet, there is a 6-person fixed-grip chairlift with a rolling carpet for easy use. Further west, a smaller 3-person chairlift services a terrain park and 3 other hills.
The ski resort runs snow machines principally in the start of the season, and grooms all runs daily. All runs (except for one) are lit with lights for snow-skiing year-round.
The resort is generally focused on beginner-level, or family recreation. The resort has a learning area with a handle-lift, called the 'Pony Express'. The largest trail, 'Family Hill' is a green-diamond that connects the 4-person and 6-person lifts. The hill has 4 black-diamond runs, and one short double black-diamond run. Occasionally moguls are created on some black-diamond hills.
A snow-tubing park, with automated lifts was built immediately west of the ski area in 2002. It features 14 different chutes, with varied elevations.[5]
Snow Valley hosts ski races several times a year through Alpine Ontario.
Apart from skiing & snowboarding, there is snow tubing, a child care program, and ski/snowboard lessons.[1]
They also accept the Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass.[1]
History
The resort was created by 10 members called the "Triple S Club" (Ski, Safety and Sociability), in 1952.[6]
In 1987 the resort began a fundraiser called M*A*S*H Bash which runs each year for the local RVH Hospital[7] The popular day includes events with themes from the television show, including bedpan races.
Snow Valley has had two serious chairlift incidents in its history. One occurred in 1995, but no one was hurt.[8] In 1996 a 19-year-old ski instructor was killed at Snow Valley Resort when his lift derailed.[8] The resort was initially charged with nine counts of failing to comply with safety standards, but the charges were dismissed in 2003 after review.
In 2009 a 13 year old boy died after a collision with a tree on a beginner trail.[9] He was skiing on a school trip.
In 2012, for its 50th anniversary, Snow Valley offered very discounted season passes to anyone with their 50th birthday that year.
Related Ski Areas
References
- "Snow Valley Ski Resort". SkiCanada.org. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- "Ski Snow Valley Barrie reviews". ski-resorts.ca. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- "Ski Snow Valley Snow Conditions". SkiSnowValley.ca. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- "Snow Valley". Archived from the original on January 25, 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
- "Alpine Skiing". Tourism Barrie. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- "Snow Valley celebrates 60 years of skiing". simcoe.com. Metroland Media Group Ltd. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- "M*A*S*H Bash still a smash after 29 years in Barrie". Mississauga.com. Metroland Media Group Ltd. February 5, 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- "Area Ski Hills Keeping Close Eye on Chairlifts". thebarrieexaminer.com. December 18, 2008.
- "Questions Raised after Boy Dies at Ski Resort". thebarrieexaminer.com. February 20, 2009.