Where should I ski or snowboard?

We have two beginner areas—one at the Village and one at the South Base of Blue Mountain.

Village

At the Village area you’ll find three beginner runs with access from two magic carpet surface lifts and the Graduate Triple chairlift. All terrain is suitable for beginner skiers and snowboarders. Our Discover Skiing and Snowboarding program is set up on Easy Rider with instructors on hand to help you through the various stages of learning. The Easy Rider run provides a long gentle slope and is great place to start. Easy Rider is serviced by the Easy Rider Magic Carpet. Undergrad is another novice slope that will ease you into the sport. Undergrad is serviced by the Undergrad Magic Carpet. We recommend that new skiers and snowboarders spend time on Easy Rider and Undergrad to acquaint themselves with the basics (stopping and turning) before moving on to the Graduate. The Graduate run is slightly steeper and allows skiers and boarders to build a little more speed and feel the thrill of sliding! It is serviced by a three-person chair lift. The Village Beginner area is an ideal place to start skiing or snowboarding and is conveniently located next to Grand Central Lodge and Village Rentals, as well as accommodations and shopping.

South

Our Kids at Blue camps, lessons and child care programs are located at South Base lodge and Kids’ lessons are conducted at the South Base beginner area. The 6 beginner trails at South are serviced by three Magic Carpet surface lifts and the Voyageur Quad chair lift. Because of their ease of use, it is recommended that beginners start on one of the magic carpets located beside the South Base lodge – either Explorer magic carpet or Little Ripper magic carpet. Both service gentle sloping terrain, ideal for first-time skiers or boarders. Once you have mastered stopping and turning you can venture to the Voyageur Quad chairlift for a trip down the Enchanted Forest. This beginner trail is serviced by the Enchanted Forest magic carpet as well as the chair lift. The next step at our South Base beginner area is Big Baby, offering some of the best terrain at Blue for novice skiers and snowboarders. Here you will find a wide open run with lots of room to turn and master your skills.

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How do I Ride the Chairlift?

With a few simple tips, taking your first ride up a chair lift can be fun and easy. If you ever have any questions just ask a lift attendant who will be happy to help. Tell the attendant it’s your first time and remember, it’s always safer and more fun to ride with a buddy.

Loading the Chair

• Remove ski pole straps from your hands.
• Advance forward to the loading area as soon as the chair ahead of you passes.
• Stand with your skis or snowboard directly over the red "load here” sign on the ground.
• The chair will slow down as it enters the loading area.
• Look behind you for the chair and keep a soft bend your knees, preparing to sit down.
• Once you are comfortably on the chair lift lower the safety bar. Firmly hold your poles or any other equipment on your lap.

Unloading the Chair

SKIERS:

• Raise the bar when you approach the “raise safety bar” sign.
• Keep your ski tips up and shift your weight forward.
• Hold poles up; don’t let them touch the ground.
• When your skis touch the snow, keep your weight forward and stand up, propelling you off the chair and away from the unloading zone.
• If you are on the right side of the chair, veer right. If you are on the left side of the chair, veer left to avoid collisions in the unloading zone.

SNOWBOARDERS:

• Raise the bar when you see the “raise safety bar” sign.
• Straighten your board so the front tip is facing forward.
• The chair will slow down as it enters the unloading area.
• When your board touches the snow, keep your weight on your front foot.
• Place your free foot on the stomp pad in the centre of your board.
• Glide off and away from the unloading zone.
• If you are on the right side of the chair, veer right. If you are on the left side of the chair, veer left to avoid collisions in the unloading zone.