Picture perfect

Adventure, shopping, entertainment... the Blue Mountain Village in Ontario, Canada, has everything to make it a perfect holiday destination, finds Rakesh Kumar

 Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life or intend to take a break from the highly industrialised or corporate life then head for Blue Mountain hills of Ontario. Situated in the lap of mountainous terrain, the area is only a two-hour drive north of Toronto, which makes it a really convenient destination for everyone. If one were on a trip to Ontario then giving it a miss would not be wise. And so, after going around Toronto and Niagara region, it was time for us to halt for a taste of rustic life.
 Since the area is nestled at the foot of the slopes, it is blessed with greenery and serenity. Though we had  heard a lot from our guide our first sight of the village took our breath away. There is a lot to do in the area and the whole region caters to every age. It houses nice beaches, gondola tri
ps to the top of the mountain, hiking, biking, mountain coaster ride, nice restaurants, and much more. But what can make one fall in love with the area is lounging beside a fire pit and enjoying buskers, concerts and a host of winter events. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, stroll down the cobblestone streets visiting unique shops, or step into one of the many restaurants for a gourmet meal or quick treat. This in a nutshell describes the Blue Mountain Village.

Place to stay

One can go for high end modern facilities with all the amenities or look for a beautiful rustic home in a natural setting. The Westing Trillium, the largest resort in the area, will fulfil both these conditions. Situated between the shores of Georgian Bay and the heights of the Niagara Escarpment, the resort is built in the architectural style of grand Georgian Bay lodges. The rooms of the resort are themselves just beautiful and perfect for families with a small kitchen. Outside the resort there is a small pond, where one can hear the sound of tadpoles and frogs. Kids can be seen catching these frogs.

What to shop
Shoppers will find a heaven in the Blue Mountain Village. Just a short walk from the hotel will land you the market. The village houses around 25 shopping centres, restaurants and bars. If you are a fashion freak wanting the latest trends or want home décor or sports equipment or home accessories, don't worry the the village shops will fulfil all your demands. The good point of the market is that it could be covered in a very short span of time.
 In our two days stay at the village we searched out almost all the shops of the villages. Though it a was little expensive, but discount offers tempted us to go ahead and buy gifts or clothes.

Food
If you want to please the taste buds, then village eateries have something for everyone. To enjoy a meal with  family Oliver and Bonacini restaurant (in Westin Trillium House resort) would serve the purpose. If one wants to taste different foreign cuisine then Tholos will help you out and if you are a pizza lover, then the village has Firehall Pizza to answer your demand. Here there are so many eating options from Beavertail to burger or from Italian pizza to casual gourmet dining, one could go on and on. 






Choose your adventure

If it is fun or adventure one seeks, then Blue Mountain Village beckons. Here you have to choose your own adventure and the staff at Activity Central (that takes care of adventure activities in the village) will introduce you to a whole new world of activities and recreation. The place offers Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Timber Challenge High Ropes, Zip Lining, Open Air Gondola, Mountain Biking, Plunge Aquatic Center and list goes on. Whether you want to invest an entire day, or just want to sneak in something quick before dinner, you will find every adventure here. Though we wanted to try out each of them, being short of time we tried only Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster. This takes riders on an exhilarating coaster ride as it twists and turns down the mountain thorough varied terrain. Here riders can control their speed and enjoy the stunning views of Georgian Bay and surrounding Niagara Escarpment.

Timber Challenge High Ropes 

This features suspension bridges, ladders, cargo nets, zip lines and more, Reaching 50 ft above the forest floor, the timber challenge winds through the canopy with awe-inspiring views and breathtaking heights.  One caveat is that this high rope course is quite challenging physically, so it might not be a good idea to try it after an indulgent night of food and drink.

Open Air Gondola 
If you want the view from the top of the mountain without having to work for it then it will solve your purpose. It will take you to a scenic ride to the top of the Escarpment.  

Scenic caves
A description of Blue Mountain would be incomplete without talking about Scenic Caves. This is one of Canada's great natural wonders and is located at the highest part of the Niagara Escarpment. It gives a chance to trek thorough the mysterious caves and caverns that were formed over the course of hundreds of millions of years of ice movement. In an hour long trip we ventured deep inside the mountain, explored a labyrinth of caves and crevices. Here one could end up exploring places like Natural Refrigerator, Ice Caves that are frozen round the year, Lovers Rest, Fat Man's Misery, the narrowest spot of 36

centimeter, Ekarenniondi, a marked path to the mysterious underworld or the hidden natural fortress which sheltered the Petun people from their enemies or the longest suspension footbridge in Ontario (126 metres long). In fact, there is a lot more to explore. 
Eco adventure  
Since the whole area of Blue Mountain Resort is known for adventure sports, there were several activities being conducted in this 200-year-old forest. The most prominent is Zip Lining, the longest zip trip covering more than  half-mile and dropping a dizzying 48 meters from the cliff top to earth. It is a little scary but a must try. Clipped to a cable you soar from one location to the next. 
Scandinave Spa 
After all this trekking in Scenic Caves and adventure activities at Blue Mountain Village resort, a visit to the spa was justified. We stopped at Scandinave Spa. Just a few minutes drive from downtown Collingwood and Blue Mountain Resort and nestled in a natural forest setting, the spa will cleanse your body and mind with its hot baths and refreshing cold plunges.