Winter Wonderland in Blue Mountain

My first sojourn in 2013 is exploring the freezing Blue Mountain for a day. Well, only four hours, to be exact. The bus was late for 30 minutes and the driver wasn’t even apologetic. There was no apology issued or even an announcement from the customer service that our bus would be delayed for such a long time in a unfriendly temperature. It’s my first time to take a Greyhound bus and I’m not impressed. We left the terminal at 9:04 a.m.

Amazingly, I wasn’t angry at all despite queueing and waiting for the delayed bus. I’m normally very impatient of delayed services sans explanation. It’s my pet peeve. I was just calm and like the rest of the waiting passengers, patient. No, it’s not my New Year’s resolution. I’m so over with making resolutions every year and most things I planned to resolved didn’t happen.

The bus ride was smooth. The countryside quilted in immaculate whiteness was stunning and postcard perfect! I saw an endless plain of snowfields and bare-naked trees hanging on to dear life in hypothermic temperature. There was a tiny lone house on a snow-covered, hill with no trees in sight. The pine and fir trees whose branches were swaying, gently cradled the snowflakes that landed on their blades and branches. A skinny, towering pole bearing a Canadian flag that dances with the wind in front of a schoolhouse (or maybe not) in a middle of nowhere was a sight that some people might think of Canada in winter. The coloruful houses whose roofs were covered in snow and hanging icicles looked nothing but marvelous!

When I finally saw thrill-seekers skiing down the mountains at a far distance, I held my breath and looked at my watch, “We’re finally here,” I said to my seat mate who was very anxious to snowboard. A million-dollar smile that showed his cute dimple melted my heart. I was in-love. LOL…

I went directly to the ski rental place but unfortunately, they ran out of lockers. So, I just decided to have lunch first and later explore the village. I gorged on a dozen chicken wings and fries at Wild Wing.

Blue Mountain isn’t blue. I tried to fins something blue in there but there’s none. LOL… It’s a winter wonderland for all those who like winter season and winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, snowshoeing, snow caving, etc…

Oh yes, they have escalator/walkalator as lift to the mountains! Ok, I was actually I amazed at this because it’s my first time to see such in outdoor ski resort.

The ski resort has areas for beginners to daredevils. They also have ski lessons and other winter things to do. And most of these activities though don’t come cheap. Now, I understand when I asked a friend to come with me but said, “I know how to ski. I love to ski. But skiing there in Blue Mountain isn’t cheap. They make it an expensive sport!”

For those of you who wonder if I know how to ski, yes, I do. Well sort of. I just don’t know how to stop when I’m at the base of the mountain. I don’t quiet really know how to zigzag my way down but I can manage. I tried it thrice so far. I even have a pic of myself skiing down in the intermediate level hill wearing my rainbow wig! LOL…

Someone must have grabbed this chair and sat on it as he watched those long queue for the lift. Of course I turned the chair to my direction and clicked the shutter when, suddenly, this young man on the left jumped out of nowhere. I liked how this photo came out, better than what I expected it to be. I sat on the chair facing the landscape (and people) for the twenty minutes until I felt my fingers numb, even with leather gloves on.

Horse sleigh rides cost $40/hour and $30 for children. Nah, I’ll bring a horse next time. LOL..

Ski and snowboard rentals vary what time of the day and night you’re gonna hit the mountains. If you’ve got skiing and snowboarding stuff, just pay for the lift. They have free activities, too: Snowshoe Hike (Friday to Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for an hour); Scavenger Hunts (Daily); and Skating on Mill Pond (11 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.).

By the look of it, Blue Mountain Village is really man-made. There’s no sense of community there. Almost all of the humans there are transient visitors. They’ve got shops and cafes, little nooks and fast food–and yes, Starbucks, too!

I love the carousel-like shed in front of this building. They’ve got an old wooden bench here which my butt loves to sit on.

These rainbow chairs would brighten anyone’s mood on a snowy day. Guess, which chair invisible to Clint Eastwood? Hahahaha…

The apartments/hotels for people who need a temporary respite from urban exploits. I ignored the warning of thin ice and went near the pond to dip my left hand and holy molly, it’s really true, it’s freezing! LOL….

I never left this area until I got this shot of my pink and white scarf. Love it.