Issuu

B L U E

M O U N TA I N S

Inside the mind of a freestyle skier

And the family behind him P.81

THE BATTLE TO PRESERVE GREENSPACE Big wins for nature in the Beaver Valley

P.42

Ski Town Real Estate IT'S COMPLICATED, BUT HERE'S HOW TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU P.47

Ski the East; Ski the West And...7 original day trips this winter

Ski Chalet Chic Comfort and style at the base of Craigleith

Ice Bath Festival A New Wasaga Beach? WINTER 2026 // FREE

Live Music Listings

20 44 24

Ambassadors: Jeremy Jones and Victor Daviet Location: South Island, New Zealand

Christine Feleki & Joey Vosburgh Ktunaxa | Sinixt Territory Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia Photo: Ange Percival

Wellness reimagined THERMAL JOURNEY | MASSAGES | GETAWAYS

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THE ASPEN PLEDGE WHETHER ASPEN IS MY HOME SWEET HOME, O R M Y H O M E AWAY F R O M H O M E : I W I L L E X P L O R E R E S P O N S I B LY. I W I L L P R E PA R E F O R A N Y E X P E R I E N C E . I WILL FIND ADVENTURE, BUT NOT VENTURE OFF THE MARKED TRAILS. I WILL CARVE THE SNOW AND NOT THE TREES. I WILL GET LOST IN MY THOUGHTS, BUT NOT IN THE WOODS. I WILL REMAIN IN ONE PIECE B Y L E AV I N G T H E W I L D L I F E I N P E AC E . I WILL GO SIGHTSEEING WHILE L E AV I N G T H E S I T E S W O R T H S E E I N G . I W I L L T R AV E L B Y F O O T, B I K E , O R B U S W H E N I C A N , A N D D R I V E C A R E F U L LY W H E N I C A N N O T . I W I L L H O N O R T H E H I S T O RY A N D H E R I TAG E O F THOSE WHO WERE HERE BEFORE ME AND PRESERVE THE LAND FOR THOSE WHO COME AFTER ME. I WILL ACCEPT OUR DIFFERENCES A N D C E L E B R AT E O U R D I V E R S I T Y. I WILL BE KIND TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF EVERY KIND. I P L E D G E T O TA K E C A R E O F T H I S LITTLE PLACE CALLED ASPEN.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER'S (OUTDOOR) OFFICE

Outside. Every Day. Of course, that makes sense. I am sure there are studies that prove that ideas produced in the forest are much higher quality than those that originate in the boardroom. At Mountain Life, this culture is celebrated, and I’m super thankful for it. That’s one thing I love about Southern Georgian Bay: Life/work balance is prioritized. Speaking of amazing creativity from inspired minds, we have so much incredible content in this issue. Our Contributing Editor Colin Field sat down with local rising freestyle skiing star Evan Reljic and his family and talked about the mindset that allows Evan to huck huge airs—and how his parents handle the stresses of a sport with such extremes. Our new columnist, Bryn Honeywood, shares her thoughts on the fleetingness of family life and why small moments matter. We explore destinations near and far, we tour a couple of amazing homes and we introduce you to a seven diverse people in our community—sharing their back story, sharing what motivates them. Plus there's so much more. Our focus is twofold. First: continually develop and enhance our relationship with you, our readers. You have a special place in your hearts—and attention—for Mountain Life and we promise to reward this, each and every issue. And second, we will always deliver real and superior advertising value to our clients by always producing the very best. As such, we have doubled our distribution points throughout Southern Georgian Bay. We have also substantially increased the number of copies we print, and now offer advertising packages that include reaching our 60,000-plus followers on our Get outside, even if you need your hazard lights. "This white-out on Highway 26 forced me to stick my head out the window to see the road as we crawled along to get the pow day at Blue." – DL GLEN HARRIS social channels, and so much more (let’s talk!). In my 25-year career I’ve helped hundreds of top-tier local businesses establish and grow, and I love doing it. I’m currently loving the opportunity to work directly with the business leaders who are Put me in the forest, or at least outside moving my body, and entrusting Mountain Life with their marketing investments and I I produce creativity on a completely different level. Here’s my promise we will help you reach your goals—especially when I’m theory. It's all about flow and nature—the two combined recharge calling and emailing you from the forest. me. The oxygen-rich air, the phytoncides, the aromatherapy of Enjoy this issue. the plant compounds and the energy of the trees—it's forest bathing mixed with movement. Being on a mountain bike or skis, incorporating flow and its associated mindfulness, effortlessly flowing over terrain as an everyday routine, transposes into everything I do. Flow in my body unlocks the flow of ideas and solutions in my mind. Dave Loopstra

COZY BY DESIGN

Landscapes for Winter’s Embrace Frost lingers on evergreens, snow settles in soft, sculpted forms — each detail a reflection of winter’s quiet artistry. A landscape that breathes with the season, still yet full of life, where beauty and balance come naturally. Designed for harmony, shaped by nature.

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Leslie Anthony, Feet Banks, Jessica Carnochan, Melanie Chambers, Sarah Chisholm, Geoff Coombs, Matt Cote, Alain Denis, Taj Field, Kath Fudurich, Chris Guibert, Justin Johnston-Jewel, Dean Heliotis, Mitchell Hubble, Jenna Kitchings, Jeff MacInnis, Carl Michener, Mark O'Grady, Nadia Pestrak, Kianna Sunshine, Savannah Stephen, Will Tam, Tom Thwaits, Leslie Timms, Scott Turnbull, Kyle Wicks, Jody Wilson.

SALES & MARKETING David Loopstra Glen Harris Bob Koven Mike Strimas Ashley Warrington

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Mountain Life Blue Mountains operates within and shares stories primarily set upon the traditional lands and treaty territory of the Anishinabek Nation. We acknowledge and celebrate the past, present and future People of the Three Fires, known as the Ojibway (Chippewas), Odawa and Potawatomi Nations, who lead us in stewarding these lands and waters, and we honour their knowledge and cultural ties to this region.

Table of Contents UPFRONT

BETA - NEWSWORTHY

FEATURES

P.18

P.42

Eagle’s Summit

P.81 The Family Behind the Skier

P.44

Wasaga Beach

P.86 Will Tam’s Tireless Eye

THE MOUNTAIN LIFE - EVENTS

P.47

Housing Crisis Fix

P.92 Quebec’s Eastern Townships

P.20

Cold Camp

P.50

Adaptive Sports Hub

P.97 The New Mountain Lifers Part Deux

P.22

Basecamp Builders + Trades

P.53

Snowmaking Q&A

P.108 Photo Gallery

P.24

Heartwood Hall

Mountain Mama

GEAR SHED GOIN’ PLACES

P.57

The Latest Winter Schwag

DAY TRIPS P.27

Station 87

MTN HOMES

P.28

The Cheese Gallery & The Vault

P.62

The Elevated Chalet

P.30

Apex Play & Georgian Hills Vineyards

P.72

Slabtown Timber Frame

P.32

Race Day

P.34

Nordic Skiing, Classic + Skate

APRÈS P.114 Coach Turbo

ROAD TRIPS P.36

East or West?

ON THIS PAGE Highlands Nordic, Duntroon. Check out our local XC ski breakdown on p.34. DEAN HELIOTIS ON THE COVER Evan Reljic: the dedicated young freestyle skier with his family and community behind him. Check the story on p.81. COLIN FIELD

UPFRONT – MOUNTAIN MAMA

LAST TIMES, FIRST TIMES Bryn Honeywood

COLUMNIST

Kids never announce when it’s the last time. The last time they curl in to nurse. The last time you swing them onto your hip without thinking. The last time your hand steadies their bike seat, heart pounding as they pedal away. The last time your burning legs wedge them between your skis on the bunny hill, whispering encouragement while snow stings your cheeks. These moments slip past quietly. By the time you realize this, they're gone.

There’s grief in that, but also rebirth. Every last time creates space for a new first. Sleepless nights become pre-dawn alarms, hustling to the mountain before the first chair. Pulling a bundled baby in a sled gives way to chasing capable kids through the backcountry. The days of buckling tiny boots, balancing both child and gear across icy parking lots, fade into mornings when your kids slam into their bindings and beat you to the lift line. And in their budding independence, you rediscover a little of your own. Families around here mark time differently. Milestones are measured not in birthday candles but in chairlift upgrades and trail choices. The day they graduated from the magic carpet to the first chair. The first run they skied ahead of you. Letting go hurts, but it thrills, too. No more training harnesses or fogged-up

May you always make good memories from the small and fleeting moments.

BRYN HONEYWOOD

goggle tears. Instead, there are family laps down black diamonds and breathless high-fives at the bottom. And there are other “lasts” tucked into mountain life. The last time you strike off in the car for “nap time” and drive white-knuckled through a snowstorm, hopeful there’s sleep happening in the back seat. Those trips become rowdy carpools—music thumping, gear piled high, laughter spilling over the howl of the wind—and you look around to realize the car is full of big kids making big plans, not toddlers strapped in car seats.

Pulling a bundled baby in a sled gives way to chasing capable kids through the backcountry. And then there are the homecomings. The last time you lined up hot chocolates with marshmallows, ready for mittenclad hands to wrap around steaming mugs. The last time you peeled soggy gear off small bodies and tucked them under blankets by the fire. Now, crockpots simmer all day, ready for hungry athletes who charge through the door in the dark of winter evenings, fresh off a long day in the terrain park. Every ending carries loss—a farewell to the version of motherhood that once defined you. But each ending also births something new: space for friendships rekindled on the trails, for family adventures that stretch further and wilder than the training hill ever allowed. Mothering in the mountains follows this rhythm: loss and growth, grief and joy, last times and first times. So when the ache comes, when you realize you’ll never again bend low to steady tiny skis or wipe frozen tears, remember what waits on the other side: ripping together, side by side, laughing down the same line. The shift from mother as anchor to mother as companion. In the end, mothering in the Blue Mountains isn’t about endings at all. It’s about letting go just enough so both of you can keep climbing, carving and discovering joy in every next first.

LIVING THE MOUNTAIN LIFE - EVENTS

Cold Camp, where winter's harshness is the forge for personal growth.

Unbounded Cold Camp words & photos :: Scott Parent I live for an ol’ fashioned winter. Having slept in some odd places and positions, including on drifting ice floes on Georgian Bay, I’m no stranger to finding comfort in the throes of discomfort. But the artful and intentional space curated by the Unbounded crew’s Cold Camp retreat has further enhanced my appreciation for the fine art of savouring my human suffering. Instead of placing the emphasis on those grey and gloomy blahs, Cold Camp encourages participants to harness the harshness of winter as the forge for personal growth. Cold Camp has become an annual reset for me. Last winter I was fortunate to share this weekend retreat with my eldest daughter, who crushed her cold exposure like a natural-born selkie. This experience provided us both an opportunity to bond, connect and grow together. If cold isn’t your thing, don’t let the name discourage you. The heart of the Cold Camp experience includes heat therapy, breathwork, re-wilding, adventure and human connection. For the winter-adverse, Cold Camp may be the one weekend you thrive this season. Check unboundeddimensions.com for details about the Unbounded Cold Camps at Maple Lake (northwest of Haliburton), which runs to April, and starts up again in November. Fire, ice and resilience: scenes from the Unbounded Cold Camp 2025.

winter is still a thing.

THE MOUNTAIN LIFE - EVENTS

LEFT (L-R) Mitch Yurkiw of Zavtech Overhead Doors, Chris Allen of Carter-Allen and Ross Burley of Aeon Kitchen and Design. MIDDLE Guest speaker Jeff Hartley presenting about his paddling trip on the Nahanni River, Northwest Territories. RIGHT Carla Nicolson (L) presents Hope Haven's Robyn Allen with a cheque to support their therapeutic riding programs.

The Builders and Trades who Build our Basecamps And raise money for excellent causes words & photos :: Ashley Warrington In Thornbury, exploration doesn’t start on the trail or the slopes—it starts at home. In kitchens where families gather to plan the day, in mudrooms where boots drip after a long hike, in cottages where everyone comes together to relax and reconnect. These spaces—the basecamps for every adventure— are built by local tradespeople who take pride in their craft. And they do a damn good job. Every month, the Thornbury Builders & Trades Association (TBTA) meets not just as colleagues, but as neighbours helping build the community from the ground up. Their November 2025 meeting captured that spirit perfectly. Over dinner at The Port Tavern, the room buzzed with conversation about winter builds, clever fixes and the challenges of crafting homes in four-season terrain. Then guest speaker Jeff Hartley shared a story that had everyone leaning in: paddling the Nahanni River, not once, but twice, and how each journey reshaped his understanding of risk, wilderness and purpose. Suspenseful and vivid, it was a story any adventurer would want to hear. During the evening, the attendees made connections and talked business, yes, but they also gave back to the community. TBTA presented donations to Hope Haven, Events for Life and two scholarships to Georgian Bay Community School for students entering the trades—one female, one male—supporting the next generation of local builders and craftspeople. The evening also marked a leadership milestone, honouring past president Chris Allen and welcoming new president Carla Nicolson at the helm of the association. In a town defined by outdoor living, TBTA members indeed construct leading-edge homes and dwelling places. But there's more to it than that. They shape the spaces where memories are made, adventures begin and the community comes together.

THE MOUNTAIN LIFE - EVENTS

Vital Venues OK, folks. If we want a vibrant community, we have to support the venues. Here are a few that regularly give us the gift of live music and a good time. Now get out there and give 'em some love. –Ed.

OWEN SOUND HEARTWOOD CONCERT HALL Regular high-quality bands that get the crowd dancing with energetic performances, alongside quieter ballad-driven acts, thoughtfully curated. heartwoodhall.ca

THORNBURY/CLARKSBURG Greg Bottrell, founder and owner of Heartwood Hall: A labour of love.

ASHLEY WINTERS

Heartwood Hall A very special venue worth supporting words :: Dave Loopstra Any musician knows that live shows can be hit or miss. But for musicians who have graced the professional stage at Owen Sound’s Heartwood Hall, it’s always a win and that’s thanks to the generosity and vision of owner Greg Bottrell. First, there’s quality sound equipment pre-set up, along with a sound tech for the right mix. Then there’s a proper green room behind the stage. Staff are always friendly and Bottrell himself, despite the grind of non-stop stresses in the hospitality industry, is honest, attentive and giving. “Greg Bottrell is the loveliest punk I’ve ever come across in the music industry,” says Dan Dwoskin, lead singer and keyboardist for the Honeyrunners. “He cares, and it shows in his fierce love of music, musicians and community-building. We need more folks like him in this business, and we could definitely use more Heartwoods in this country.” Jayden Grahlman, a long-time music scene veteran, flat-picker and currently the mandolinist for the Hummingbyrds, agrees. “Every time I’ve played there, the room comes alive with connection, energy and a kind of magic you can’t manufacture,” he says. “[Bottrell] has given local artists a true home and helped spark a real resurgence in live music in our community.” At 68, Bottrell carries the relaxed confidence—and battle scars—of a man who’s done the hard work, made peace with the chaos and decided the world needs more good music and good people in the same room. “I build good spaces and I love live music,” he says. But it’s not always easy. It’s a business that relies on restaurant and bar sales—and supporters, fans and patrons. And we all know, if you love something, support it. Don’t take it for granted. 24

THE BRUCE WINE BAR

Regular dinner/show nights. brucewinebar.ca THE CORNER CAFE & GRILL

Free live music every Friday and Saturday, and open mic nights on many Tuesdays. cornercafegrill.ca THE MARSH STREET CENTRE

Community hall vibe and a big stage. marshstreetcentre.com

BLUE MOUNTAIN THE VILLAGE AT BLUE

Regular big-name acts on an outdoor stage for free. bluemountainvillage.ca STUDIO 79

Small, intimate venue bringing in big names in the Canadian music scene. instagram.com/studio79.atblue

COLLINGWOOD RESONANCE

Wholesome venue for all ages. Events, workshops, music, art to create and connect. instagram.com/resonance_collingwood THE MILKBARN

Dance, groove and ogle Ontario’s best jam bands, prog rock and very cool art. BYOB. facebook.com/milkbarn-sessions

DURHAM FOUR WINDS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Three-day music festival at Riverstone Retreat every July, featuring big-name Canadian artists, up-and-coming acts, amazing food, camping, swimming in the river, wellness and so much more. fourwindsmusicfest.com

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day Trips

GOIN' PLACES

LEFT A signature fire cocktail. MIDDLE Station 87's cocktail fire chief Adam Clement flanked by Straw Hat Renovations' James Harrison (L) and Jason Harrison. RIGHT Straw Hat Renovations preserved and restored many original details of the 1887 building, including the front double doors.

A Community Hub of Warmth & History words & photos :: Ashley Warrington From the moment you open those iconic big red front doors, Station 87 wraps you in history and warmth. Once a bustling firehall in downtown Meaford, the building still carries its legacy—arches echo with imagined footsteps of firefighters, the bell tower window watches over downtown and original brickwork whispers stories of generations past. At the heart of it all is owner John Garbe, whose passion for good food and genuine hospitality shapes the experience. If you keep exploring the firehall, you’ll wander into the Market, where chefs are bringing dishes to life right before your eyes and guests can shop for local treats, ingredients and wine to take home. Upstairs, the elevated dining room and

rooftop patio frame sweeping views of the bay, while the basement wine cellar feels like a James Bond set— mysterious, stylish and cinematic. The main floor is alive with conversation and clinking glasses. Guests linger over seasonal menus, woodfired pizzas and the legendary fire cocktail, expertly crafted by Adam Clement, the manager and cocktail fire chief. Pull up a chair at the bar, and you’ll quickly see how his personality energizes the room. Subtle nods to the building’s firefighting past—brass fittings, hoseinspired accents and walls hung with local history—blend seamlessly with the modern interior, creating a space where heritage and contemporary design meet naturally. Behind the scenes, Straw Hat Renovations turned Station 87 into a living story. Their bold, whimsical craftsmanship brings every corner to life, infusing the historic firehall with charm and character. At its core, the space is about connection—families, friends and visitors are invited to explore and soak in the atmosphere. Every detail, from the market to the menu, works together to create a destination that feels alive and gives you an experience that you will carry with you long after the last bite.

LEFT Family dining on the main floor. MIDDLE A painting of the station when it was in use by the fire department. RIGHT The Market's shelves full of local goodies.

dAY Trips

GOIN' PLACES

CHEESE LOVERS' PARADISE words & photo :: Ashley Warrington A short drive—or a leisurely stroll—into downtown Thornbury leads you to The Cheese Gallery, a spot that feels like a destination rather than a quick stop. Nicole Paara and Cindy Cooper, the new owners, have carefully preserved the shop’s character while introducing a quiet refinement that elevates the experience. Here, a simple trip for cheese becomes a moment to pause—to breathe in the aromas, wander the thoughtfully arranged shelves and embrace the unhurried rhythm of the space. The shelves are a curated landscape: Local Ontario cheeses and Canadian classics sit alongside artisanal jams, crackers, pastries, tasty gifts and pantry essentials. Each selection invites exploration and thoughtful tasting. With bar seating back in place, visitors can turn a quick stop into an experience—savouring a grilled cheese with soup, a cheese plate, a glass of wine or a selection of small bites. The setting encourages conversation, curiosity and a gentle indulgence in the pleasures of the everyday. The Cheese Gallery is more than a shop; it is a refined sensory destination. From the carefully chosen local and artisanal products to the elegant intimacy of the bar seating, every detail fosters deliberate enjoyment. It is a haven for food lovers—a place to explore, taste and appreciate the simple, exquisite flavours that make this small-town gem truly memorable. For anyone exploring Thornbury, this is a stop that effortlessly anchors the experience, offering a taste of the town’s heart and the simple pleasures that define it.

Fine cheese is just one element of the sensory experience.

LEFT Jordan Desroches, quick with a joke and a finely crafted cocktail. RIGHT "We're glad you're here. Markdale needed a bar like this."

precious and spirited words & photos :: Ashley Warrington There’s a certain kind of bar you don’t expect to find in a small town (or anywhere, really), but once you do, it keeps pulling you back. That’s The Vault. Tucked inside Markdale’s old McCullough and Young bank (1880–1917), the name says it all. It’s where good times are safely stashed, waiting for you. Step through the door and you’re immediately hit with a warmth and energy that’s impossible to ignore. You know right away why locals keep coming back. Since opening over the September long weekend of 2025, The Vault has quickly become downtown Markdale’s go-to. Step inside the historic bank vault itself and you’ll find a bottle shop with rows of carefully curated beverages. You might find a rare gem, a local favourite or something completely unexpected, making every visit a quest for the new. At the bar, a rotating cocktail menu and local beers on tap keep the drinks lively, while friends, neighbours and newcomers clink glasses and share stories. One guest summed it up perfectly: “Here I am in Markdale enjoying a mojito on a Saturday night.” It’s like a scene straight out of Cheers, only with a better class of cocktail. A big part of the magic is owner and visionary Jordan Desroches. Quick with a joke and easy to chat with, he makes the space feel alive. As locals tell him often: “We’re just glad you’re here. This town needed a bar like this.” They’re not wrong. Whether you’re a local looking for your new favourite spot or a wanderer chasing the next chill zone, The Vault is the answer. Historic walls, top-notch drinks and an energy that’s impossible to bottle up make it the kind of place you’ll brag about discovering. Come for the cocktails, stay for the stories and leave with a plan to come back. Markdale’s little secret? Consider it safely cracked.

Photo: Jeremy Swanson / Tamara Susa

MAG N I F Y

wide open With just two skiers per acre, Snowmass welcomes you to

3,300 acres of wide-open terrain from steep and deep to cruisy and sublime. All are easily reached from abundant slopeside stays, easy access through major international hubs and a

15-minute ride from Aspen Airport. Welcome to life magnified. GOSNOWMASS.COM

GOIN' PLACES

day Trips

Snowshoe, Sip, Breathe words:: Ashley Warrington photo :: Town and Country Collective

Golfers can play PGA-certified courses from around the world, sharpen skills on the driving range, tackle target shooting or practice with a full short-game facility.

fun without limits words :: Ashley Warrington photo :: Mike Matthews No matter the season, Apex Play in Collingwood is the ultimate destination for fun, competition and adventure. Located just off the main strip at 8 Stewart Road, this high-tech golf and multisport simulator reflects the vision of renowned local strength and conditioning coach Mike Matthews, keeping the energy high year-round with 24/7 fully automated access. Simply reserve online and let yourself in whenever it suits your schedule. Powered by Full Swing Golf, the same state-of-the-art technology used in the TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League), Apex Play delivers an elite gameplay experience. Golfers can play PGA-certified courses from around the world, sharpen skills on the driving range, tackle target shooting or practice with a full short-game facility. To take things even further, PGA pros including Andrew Warrington and Myles Bradford are available for personalized lessons and coaching. But the excitement doesn’t stop at golf. Apex Play offers multisport action for all ages, with options like hockey, baseball, basketball and a wide range of fast, interactive games. The space is designed for anyone looking to move, compete or simply have fun. Music, laughter and friendly competition fill the room, creating an atmosphere where it’s easy to lose track of time. With the best rates in the area, Apex Play proves that the offseason doesn’t mean slowing down. It’s Collingwood’s mustvisit destination for year-round action—where play continues rain or shine, summer or winter—brought to life by Mike Matthew’s vision of fun without limits. 30

Think winery visits are only for spring, summer and fall? Think again. Just 20 minutes from Collingwood, Georgian Hills Vineyards in rural Clarkburg comes alive all winter, Thursday through Sunday, serving up a quintessential Canadian afternoon of snow, friends and local and estate grown wines and ciders. Step inside the heated Winter Wine Bar, and the cold disappears. Soups, flatbreads, charcuterie boards and the famous gold-medal grilled cheese pair with locally crafted wines and ciders. Steam curls from mugs of mulled cider as the world outside sparkles under frost, while the space hums with the relaxed buzz of conversation. Weekends crank up the energy: Après Saturdays bring live music, clinking glasses, and easy laughter, the perfect cherry on top after a morning on the slopes. Midweek, the scene slows allowing you to fully take in everything Georgian Hill has to offer. Snowshoe through the grounds, breathe in crisp winter air, then settle in with a tasty lunch, a tasting flight or a glass of something local. Winter at Georgian Hills Vineyards is about embracing the Blue Mountains lifestyle. Ski, snowshoe, or roam the trails, then let bold flavours and warm hospitality pull you in. Every visit feels like part of the season itself, a mini-adventure you can weave into mountain days with friends and family. Here, winter is an essential part of the experience.

Soups, flatbreads, charcuterie boards and the famous gold-medal grilled cheese pair with local wines and ciders.

Crowded Provincial Parks got you down? Point Grondine is your answer!

POINT GRONDINE PARK & CAMPGROUND Hwy. 637, Killarney, ON, P0M 2A0 705-859-2900 • 1-844-945-8687 • info@grondinepark.com • grondinepark.com

Eco-Resort and Campground! A SPECTACULAR, uncrowded drive-in campground located beside Killarney Provincial Park, this gem is 18,000 acres of awe-inspiring wilderness, inland lakes and Georgian Bay shoreline.

To read the full story in Mountain Life, scan here!

GOIN' PLACES

day Trips

A U13 racer flies through the gates at Craigleith Ski Club, while coaches look on.

More Cowbell At the clubs, intramural race day is a must-watch On any given Saturday at one of the region’s private ski clubs, you can hear it before you see it: the cowbells, the hoots and the tinny echo of a playlist blasting someone’s enthusiastic ‘90s ski-movie soundtrack. It’s intramural race day, and if you’ve never watched one, you’re missing one of the purest expressions of ski-town joy. If you’ve lived in the area for any length of time, there’s a good chance you’re a member at one of the clubs, and if not, you at least know someone who can sign you into one. Here’s a local’s pro tip: Attend a race day. If you can’t make one of the private clubs, then definitely watch one at Blue (there are lots). Race days have a particular electricity—part competition, part comedy, part family reunion. Kids clip into their gear with the seriousness of World Cup athletes, goggles fogged from adrenaline. Parents linger at the bottom, leaning on ski poles like presiding judges, simultaneously critiquing line choice and trying not to spill hot chocolate. And in the middle of it all, the club’s veterans slide around dispensing both wisdom and chirps. 32

ANDREW ELSDON

What makes intramurals so fun to watch is the sheer range of athletic ambition on display. First up: the fearless U13s, blasting through gates, holding edges, skis chattering, arms flapping, parents screaming. Then come the teens, riding a cocktail of confidence and recklessness, carving surprisingly clean arcs while pretending not to care. And finally, the adults— some fast, others more committed to après than angles— charging with a mix of technique and pure survival instinct. Every run tells a story. There’s the parent who talks a big game on the chairlift, only to catch an edge at the first gate. The dark-horse 12-year-old who skis like they were born in a GS panel. The racer who misses a gate but finishes strong anyway, greeted at the bottom by cheers louder than if they’d won. And always, always, someone shreds the course in a costume— because what is amateur ski racing if not an excuse to bomb a run dressed as a dinosaur? Between heats, spectators migrate toward the sunniest patch at the base, swapping tales of perfect turns or legendary wipeouts. The vibe is light and joyful.This is ski culture distilled to its most honest form. By afternoon, the course is rutted, the racers are tired, parents are at the bar and the energy has mellowed into cold-air camaraderie. Not everyone remembers the times. But everyone remembers the feeling. –ML Staff

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GOIN' PLACES

day Trips

Ain’t No Misery Here Classic or skate, the age-old debate

Ah, the good ‘ol misery sticks. Not sure how they got their nickname, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Nothing beats the joy of flowing on a winter day through a glorious snow-quiet Southern Georgian Bay forest, surrounded by giant, cold-cracking hardwoods, with a tinge of woodstove smoke in the air. Crosscountry skiing is huge here and for good reason. It’s a source of full-body exercise and wellness. The snow and gentle hills here are perfect. And hence, there is a welcoming and vibrant community of “misery stickers.” Before we tell you some of our fav spots, let’s first wade into the age-old debate, raise some hackles, get controversial and ask: Classic or skate? On any winter morning in our neck of the woods, you can tell which branch of the Nordic family tree you’re dealing with from 200 metres away. Classic skiers shuffle quietly through the woods, looking like philosophers late for a seminar. Skate skiers, meanwhile, explode onto the scene in a blur of neon lycra and wraparound shades. Skate skiing is cross-country skiing after two espressos. Borrowing its technique from ice skating, it’s fast, powerful and unapologetically athletic. Skate skiers move with purpose and arrive breathing hard. Their skis are shorter, their poles longer and their outfits… tighter. Classic skiing, the original method, rewards patience, technique and an appreciation—at least in the early season in

Kolapore—for your “rock skis.” You glide, you reflect and you solve complex life questions in a meditative state. It feels natural and deeply Canadian. Skate skiing, by contrast, is a serious cardio workout. It’s fast and assertive. Its devotees swear by heart-rate zones and interval sets, and seem contractually obligated to wear those shades. That said, skate skiing is undeniably fun. The sensation of flying across firm corduroy is intoxicating, especially on wide, well-groomed trails (see below) where momentum is king. If you want to try out both before you commit, here are some of the best places to go. SKATE SKIING: Highlands Nordic above Duntroon; Scenic Caves Nordic Centre (Scenic Caves Road, near the top of Blue Mountain); Mansfield Outdoor Centre south of Collingwood on Airport Road; Horseshoe Valley Resort; Hardwood Ski and Bike, north of Barrie; and Sawmill Nordic Centre, Hepworth. Each venue offers professionally groomed trails, heated clubhouses, cafes, clean facilities, rentals and more. CLASSIC SKIING: All of the above (they each offer groomed trails for both skate AND classic); Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (flat, scenic loops); Awenda Provincial Park (north of Midland); Sauble Cross Country Ski Trails (on public land near Sauble Falls); Kolapore Uplands (a true wilderness, south of Thornbury; bring a map); and the deep-forest trails of Three Stage in Pretty River Provincial Park (be prepared to break trail). Have fun, and try the wraparound shades, they’re actually awesome. –ML Staff

Skate skiing is cross country skiing after two espressos. Slanted light at one of our local groomed XC facilities.

DEAN HELIOTIS

GOIN' PLACES

road Trips

East or West? Wait for the forecast. Then decide. words :: Robert Artspool

SHIFTING STORMS It’s about time you took a few weeks off. Load the car, load the playlists. Drive. Then figure it out. Go someplace epic and be sure to carve a midpoint stop to break it up. That’s what my buddy Bryan and I did last year, the season of epicness and deep snow. We planned for two trips, one east, and one west. Then we let the forecast decide. We figured if we’d head east, we’d be skiing epic terrain in as little as eight 36

Chic-Chac runs the only cat skiing operation in the east.

YANICK NOLET

hours. And west? So many options, but since we were curbing our consumption of the CBC, we still believed the actual people of the US to be welcoming folk, and the US is always fun—just don’t talk politics. We were stoked. At first, though, we were looking east, at the St. Lawrence-affected deep snappy cold, blower pow, New England IPAs, Atlantic lobster and backwoods French culture. Our research determined a midpoint at one of the following: Mont Sainte Anne or Le Massif’s jaw-dropping St. Lawrence views, but zeroed in on the fabled Massif du Sud, where lifts are often closed mid-week (though you can still tour) so the slopes are loaded with fresh. The true endgame, however, was Murdochville, Québec, way out on the Gaspé Peninsula—La Gaspésie en francais. With over 12 feet of snowfall annually and a vibe like an Alaskan outpost, Murdochville has a redeemer in Chic-Chac, the scrappy, soul-rich ski outfit that has turned

the ghost-like mining town into a powder-skier’s Shangri-La. With some of the highest elevation in the east, Chic-Chac is a community hub in a deep moon-like wilderness of wind-blown desolation. One day you’re lapping the lift-accessed Mont Miller, dropping playful lines through perfectly spaced glades; the next you’re experiencing the only cat skiing operation in the east, ascending and about to have the time of your life, thankfully with a guide who knows every rollover and wind pocket like family history. Neat thing to note: The ski company has deep roots in the community and offers free access to Mont Miller for all local youth under 18.

With some of the highest elevation in the east, Chic-Chac is a community hub in a deep moon-like wilderness of windblown desolation. After the mine closed in 1999, Chic-Chac helped bring life back by restoring old buildings—including the former Presbyterian church, which is now their restaurant and main headquarters. Accommodations are comfortable and plentiful in town and can be arranged through Chic-Chac.

Lodge lights glow, the local beer flows and road-trippers swap tall tales with Gaspé locals by the woodstove. It’s raw, gritty and authentic—exactly what skiing felt like before the gloss. But a week before our departure, the storm shifted. And our game-time decision went the other way, leaving the east for next winter. “Damn this is fun, you know?” said Bryan, throwing boot bags into the back. “An open schedule. Leave the Airbnb booking until you are on the road.”

ABOVE The Murdochville backcountry: playful lines through perfectly spaced glades. BELOW The Chic-Chac team knows every rollover and wind pocket.

YANICK NOLET

road Trips

GOIN' PLACES

ASPEN SNOWMASS: CONFETTI CANON FACE SHOTS When we rolled into Snowmass Village, the storm had delivered one of those deep, chalky dumps that buries sound and thought alike. So, we did a little tour. Hanging Valley Wall skied like a private stash, Buttermilk provided fresh under-chair

“Is this really all in-bounds?” lines all day, and the AMF and Roberto’s couloirs were firing with perfect fall-line rhythm, tight gullies fanning open into cold-smoke aprons. Bryan, a snowboarder blessed with natural ABOVE Snowmass Village, home to "deep, chalky dumps."

athletic talent, looked over at me mid-run and gasped, “Is this really all in-bounds?” Over on the Cirque Headwall, the windloaded pockets became confetti cannons of face shots—I found a couple in my jacket two states later. But in the Roaring Fork Valley, après has its own discipline. This year, The Collective Snowmass loads up its Winter Comedy Series with heavy hitters, including Atsuko Okatsuka on Feb. 6 and Shane Torres on Feb. 13. Evenings drift into the glowing barns of Anderson Ranch Arts Center, where this year’s Winter Music Lineup features Durand Jones & The Indications (Feb. 7) serving up velvet-soul electricity and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway (Feb. 14) turning bluegrass into rocket fuel. These are intimate shows, where you feel like part of the act. It doesn’t stop there. Belly Up Aspen, the low-slung, highenergy anchor of the local music scene, keeps February stacked. This year The Revivalists and Emmylou Harris drop in, and Thievery Corporation layer downtempo world beats into a latenight pulse. Even smaller rooms like The Wheeler Opera House offer their own flavour with heritage acts and touring storytellers. In Snowmass and Aspen, the storm doesn’t end when the lifts stop. It just changes form—sometimes into guitar strings, sometimes into spotlights. Either way, you ride it.

SAM FERGUSON. BELOW Taking full advantage of Aspen's "perfect fall-line rhythm, and tight gullies fanning open into cold-smoke aprons."

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GOIN' PLACES

road Trips

When they've trademarked the tagline "The Greatest Snow On Earth," you know it's worth pursuing.

UTAH: REAL MAGIC If there’s one truth about winter road-tripping through Utah, it’s this: The Beehive State rewards those willing to chase. Somewhere past Midway, Bryan and I met a dude named Dusty (yep, that’s his real name). A local legend in a sun-faded, sticker-laden Tacoma, Dusty had the kind of mustache that said he’d been skiing these mountains since before you could buy a day pass online. “You boys want the good snow?” he asked, smirking. Thankfully, we found out he was married, and later met his wife, Birch, who collects Utah’s cool fossils for her dashboard. Had we not met Birch, honestly, it might’ve felt a little too

Utah’s famous light blower is famously coined, “The (scientifically proven) greatest snow on earth.” Deliverance. First they led us to iconic Snowbird, where the trams swung overhead like steel temples and the powder in Mineral Basin fell away in flawless fields. We linked up with Dusty’s effortless, surfy turns down Cirque Traverse chutes, each one of us filling our faces with Utah’s famous light blower, famously coined, “The 40

SCOTT MARKEWITZ

(scientifically proven) greatest snow on earth.” Some real magic waited deeper in the night. Dusty and Birch led us to Spanish Fork Canyon, refusing to say why. The stars burned cold above us when we finally cut the engine at a trailhead. Steam drifted between junipers. We hiked a short path to the Fifth Water Hot Springs, glowing turquoise beneath the moon. Sliding into the steaming pools, muscles dissolving, the world went perfectly silent except for the creek slipping over stone. “This,” Dusty said, leaning back, “is the real après in Utah.” Next day, Birch was working but Dusty banged on our door early. “Gotta show you all sides of this place,” he said. “Powder Mountain.” And wow. Up there: pure grassroots joy—wide-open bowls, endless traverses and the sense it’s your own private resort. Dusty grinned. “Biggest lift-served acreage in the country,” he said. “Feels like it, right?” When the sun dipped, Dusty herded us to Park City’s Main Street, where he moved like a man with VIP access to the entire night. At the No Name Saloon, we inhaled burgers under walls plastered with antiques while the floorboards rattled to a local alt-country band. It was hard to say goodbye, but we will be back, and plus, when BC is your destination, via Jackson Hole and Montana, it eases the pain.

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More Protected Land in the Beaver Valley In an era of ramrod development policy masquerading as economic necessity, good news is rare for those who care about conservation. Happily, the news is not all bad in the Beaver Valley*. In 2024, the Bruce Trail Conservancy announced the opening of the 123-acre Eagle’s Summit Nature Reserve, just south of Kimberley. Funded in large part by smalldollar donors, the reserve adds another parcel to a 2470-acre protected corridor enfolding the escarpment bluffs of the valley’s east side, including Old Baldy/ Kimberley Rock. The reserve is a mosaic of hardwood forest, wildflower meadow, karst and cliffside landscapes, providing refuge for various species at risk including the ovenbird and American redstart. Thankfully no longer a species at risk, the eponymous bald eagles frequently soar on the thermals overhead. (The decidedly less magisterial turkey vultures often soar here too—but “Turkey Vulture’s Summit Nature Reserve”? Nope.) Then in spring and summer 2025,

volunteers from the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club dedicated more than 500 hours of labour (mostly in sweltering, buggy conditions) to build a new network of trails through the reserve. Two and a half kilometres of main trail is now rerouted off roadways, while side trails total more than 8 km. The trails (seven in all) range from short, family-friendly walks to more immersive, medium-length loop treks. The prime example of the latter is the 3.2 km East Mountain Side Trail, which takes hikers on a mini odyssey along a river gorge and a tranquil old cart track, through both dense, escarpment-featured forest and open woodland. Thanks to hundreds of donors and volunteers as well as handshake agreements with landowners— and cooperation from Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, who own adjoining properties—the reserve and its trails provide the public with an accessible backyard pocket wilderness. In the midst of a frightening push province-wide to

open up natural spaces to unchecked development, Eagle’s Summit offers a fresh alternative view. – Ned Morgan

*In December, the Bruce Trail Conservancy announced it had purchased the former Talisman Resort lands, just across the valley. That’s 140 more acres of good news. Stay tuned for details in the spring issue of ML.

ABOVE The area is home to the black and white warbler, whose habitat is increasingly fragmented. MAXIME LÉGARÉ-VÉZINA. BELOW A drone's view of Eagle’s Summit Nature Reserve. The Bruce Trail Conservancy recently secured this 123-acre property near Kimberley in addition to their recent Talisman purchase nearby, creating an enlarged nature corridor in the Beaver Valley. NED MORGAN

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The iconic strip. "It’s about working together to find that solid balance: protecting our ecosystems while making Wasaga Beach a truly year-round destination.” – Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith

COLIN FIELD

Wasaga Beach Redraws the Map A new waterfront master plan aims to keep the beach public and rebuild a liveable downtown Wasaga Beach is betting big on its future. The town’s new Destination Wasaga plan is more than a facelift; it’s a full-scale reset of Canada’s famous freshwater beach. After decades of provincial control, the town is planning to take back Beach Areas 1 and 2 and New Wasaga. “In August of 2024, through council’s advocacy, we were able to work with the province and work towards a better deal, a better investment and a huge improvement,” says Mayor Brian Smith. “For the first time in 50 years, the people of Wasaga Beach will have a say in our future and what the beach is going to look like.” “The province is considering the transfer of less than 60 hectares of land (just 3 per cent of the park’s 1,844 hectares) back to the municipality. This land would go to the Town, not to developers. Roughly half of the proposed land includes beach and environmentally sensitive dunes (areas that will be preserved). That leaves about 30 hectares, mostly parking lots, that could be reimagined through a thoughtful, community-led Waterfront Master Plan.” The Ontario government has already made a $38 million commitment. That includes $25 million to revitalize Nancy Island Historic Site. The province also added a new title: Destination Wasaga Beach. Putting it in the same category as Destination Niagara. “To us that means the province is going to give us the love and care we deserve,” says Smith. Anyone who’s driven Beach Drive knows it’s been battered by years of flooding and shifting sand. That’s already changing. “Beach Drive is being raised by five feet,” Smith adds. “We’re about seven months through that, and it’s progressing very well.” The transformation isn’t just public. The Sunray Group is building a Marriott hotel on the old Playland site—an investment estimated to be worth $45 million. The project is expected to begin this spring. Nearby, the Stonebridge Group is already building townhouses and commercial spaces at a residential area they’re calling The Breakers. Urban Strategies, the Toronto-based planning firm, is leading the master plan. They’ll fold all these projects into a plan that mixes 44

housing, tourism and year-round public life. Public consultations have already started with workshops, open houses and surveys. “We’re big believers that if our residents love our community, the tourists will love it as well,” says Smith. “It’s about working together to find that solid balance. Protecting our ecosystems while making Wasaga Beach a truly year-round destination.” Public engagement will run through early 2026 with online opportunities to weigh in. The full master plan is expected by fall. If you’ve heard rumours the beach might go private, Smith is clear: that’s not happening. “The one condition the province has always put in place and said upon this transfer is that the beach always remain public,” he says. “No one knows better than the council of Wasaga Beach that our beachfront is the heart and lungs of our community. We will always ensure that the beach is open to the public each and every day, all year round.” It’s an ambitious plan, and could change the way we all think of Wasaga Beach. The hope is that it will become a walkable waterfront town with a rebuilt main street. The mayor knows change won’t please everyone. “There’s two things we all hate,” he says with a laugh. “Change. And the way things are.” – Colin Field If you've heard rumours that the beach might go private, Mayor Smith is clear: That's not happening.

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As developments, like this one in between Collingwood and Blue Mountain, continue to be built, Collingwood has town-owned property that the County of Simcoe is planning to redevelop into 30 affordable rental units.

DAVID LOOPSTRA

THE REALITIES OF SKI TOWN REAL ESTATE Turning a housing crisis into opportunities, one small home at time

ollingwood is an easy place to love. Ask around and you’ll hear the same answers on repeat: the bay, the trails, the skiing, the slower pace. But beneath all the charm, the town knows it’s in trouble. Housing trouble.

And the reason is simple: People who work in Collingwood can’t afford to live in Collingwood. Affordable housing gets thrown around as a buzzword, says Claire de Souza, Housing Development Coordinator for the Town of Collingwood. But she stresses that the term is specific. “I think when people hear the term ‘affordable housing,’ we think about deeply affordable housing like community housing, rent geared to income or rent subsidies.” Simcoe County manages that type of housing. Collingwood’s work focuses on a different group—workers who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but nowhere near enough to buy or rent at market rates. “The town’s affordable housing efforts are focused on the growing moderate-income earners who are priced out of the ownership and the rental market.” For renters, that means household incomes between $47,000 and $68,000. For owners, the range is $70,000 to $109,000. The numbers make the problem obvious. Most rental listings top $2,000 a month, which is simply out of reach for many local workers. Tourism-sector jobs complicate everything. Resort, retail and hospitality jobs—the backbone of the region—all sit within those moderate-income ranges. “We hear a lot from employers

who are struggling to attract and retain employees because of the lack of housing,” de Souza says.

THE PLAN: SMALL HOMES, FAST BUILDS After a full housing needs assessment in 2023, the town developed an Affordable Housing Master Plan with 26 recommendations. The one getting the most traction is also the simplest: Additional Residential Units, or ARUs. Think basement suites, backyard tiny homes, above-garage apartments. To support this recommendation, the town designed a firstin-Ontario Rapid ARU Initiative. Part one is a dedicated guide— someone who helps homeowners navigate zoning, building codes, timelines and costs. It sounds small, but for many people it’s the difference between starting the process and giving up. Part two is a catalogue of detached ARU designs preapproved by town planning and building staff. “We pre-approved seven of them,” says de Souza, “so if people use them, they streamline the building permit process.” The financial help is significant. Collingwood offers grants of up to $15,000 for owners who commit to renting long-term. The County of Simcoe adds forgivable loans of up to $50,000 for owners who rent at affordable rates. For builders doing this on a tight budget, that’s huge. And the results? Before the program launched, Collingwood approved eight 47

Affordability: A Closer Look Everyone has a theory about housing costs: interest rates, immigration, investors, zoning, short-term rentals, Toronto money, foreign buyers. While most explanations contain threads of truth, they tend to orbit around one assumption: The housing crisis exists because of current market conditions. The topic pairs neatly with the Town of Collingwood’s reforms around Additional Residential Units (ARUs). Collingwood deserves credit for their designs, streamlined permits and financial incentives already increasing rental supply. ARUs can meaningfully improve the situation for some households, but they cannot overcome the structural problems strangling new housing supply. One force shows up again and again: the soaring cost of municipal development charges and associated fees. This issue is deep-rooted. A real-world example sits in The Blue Mountains, specifically Thornbury, where development charges have ballooned. In 2019, the total development charge for a single detached home in Thornbury West was $45,057. By 2025, it climbed to $128,551. And that’s not the full picture. Development charges are only the beginning. Developers also pay engineering fees, servicing and frontage fees, planning and zoning fees, building permits and for environmental reviews, parkland dedications, development-related studies and other costs. These are unavoidable fixed costs. Before a shovel hits the soil, much of a project’s financial viability has already been burned through. Multi-residential buildings are charged per unit, meaning a modest 24-unit rental building pays 24 times the per-unit charge—an enormous barrier to producing lower-priced housing. No amount of ARU reform can compensate for this. And developers cannot reduce prices when input costs are this high. CMHC’s 2025 report found that development charges alone can add $125,000–$180,000 to the cost of a single-detached home in major Ontario cities. In many markets, municipal charges account for 25 per cent or more of a new home’s price before construction or financing is even considered. This is why builders lean toward higher-end product. When fixed costs are this high, delivering low-priced housing is financially impossible. South Georgian Bay is a high-demand region with a tourism economy and a labour market dependent on moderate incomes. We should have the ingredients for a balanced housing ecosystem. Instead, we’re seeing stratification by class—a pattern that isn’t sustainable and will eventually plateau, bubble or correct, with everyone paying the price. Municipalities are not raising development charges maliciously. They are trying to fund infrastructure because growth must pay for growth. But the burden has become so heavy that we are unintentionally pricing out the very housing we claim to need most. None of this means ARUs or zoning reforms aren’t important. Collingwood is proving they are. But if we care about affordability, municipalities and the province must confront the challenges that make progress unaffordable. Until then, our supply problem will persist, no matter how many backyard suites we approve. –Mike Kearns 48

The new rules mean revenue opportunities for homeowners and business opportunities for factory-built modular home companies like Honomobo (available through a local dealership), which has a line of Accessory Dwelling Units starting at 640 sq. ft., like this model (above) in Collingwood. JASON MCLEAN

ARU building permits in 2022. Since 2023? “We’ve issued 61 building permits for ARUs” de Souza says, “and issued about $260,000 in grants.” Thirty-one of those will become long-term rentals— guaranteed housing stock for the workers who need it most. The town also tackled zoning barriers. “We amended the zoning bylaw to allow for dwelling units on residential properties,” de Souza explains. That included reducing parking requirements, which were a major barrier. Collingwood is also using its own land. “We have townowned property that the County of Simcoe is planning to redevelop into 30 affordable rental units. We can confidently say now we are getting shovels in the ground.”

Collingwood’s work focuses on a different group—workers who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but nowhere near enough to buy or rent at market rates.

It might not sound dramatic, but for a town of this size, 30 new affordable units (and 61 building permits) is a major win. Collingwood knows the problem won’t disappear overnight. But it’s showing measurable results. ARUs are being built . Grants are going out. Units are being rented. Homeowners, tenants and employers are feeling the effects. As de Souza puts it, Collingwood is trying to “show people that more housing can be a good thing for our community.” And at a time when the housing crisis can feel overwhelming, Collingwood’s approach stands out because it’s practical. And it’s working. One backyard at a time. –Colin Field

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and reconnecting

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New Adaptive Sports Hub in the Works at Craigleith Ski Club The Ontario Track3 Adaptive Sports Association, the volunteer-driven charity that gives children and youth with disabilities opportunities in alpine sports, has launched a fundraising campaign to replace its aging headquarters at Craigleith Ski Club. “From an accessibility standpoint, we’re struggling—the ramp is deteriorating and the foundation is sinking,” says Tracy Collier, Executive Director of the Ontario Track3 Adaptive Sports Association. “It’s time for a space that truly reflects the needs, safety and dignity of our athletes and volunteers.” The organization works with participants aged 6 to 19 at resorts across Ontario, offering a range of tailored programs. Families rely on Track3 to deliver what is often the young athletes’ only chance to experience snowsports. With that in mind, Track3 has launched the Building Futures project, the

"Before Track3, skiing felt like something other kids got to do." Volunteer instructor Mike Morgan with 9-year-old student Jack Shaw and his mother Lisa. RUTH JENKINS

most ambitious effort in its history. Working with Craigleith Ski Club and a growing network of funders, the organization is planning a purpose-built Adaptive Centre of Excellence on the club grounds. “Craigleith has been proud to support Track3 for decades,” says Jeff Courtemanche, General Manager of Craigleith Ski Club. “This project represents the next chapter in that partnership, creating a facility that truly embodies inclusion and the spirit of community that

The Building Futures project is the most ambitious effort in the organization's long history. RENDERING SUPPLIED BY TRACK3

both organizations share.” The centre would form the hub of Track3’s operations, with updated space for training, equipment storage, volunteer development and community outreach. Even more importantly, it would serve as a setting where future generations of athletes can learn and develop, barrier-free. And it would give Track3 the capacity to grow its programs year-round, supporting athletes in every season and providing a dedicated home for adaptive sport in the province. “Before Track3, skiing felt like something other kids got to do,” says Track3 athlete Jaxon Fish. “Now, it’s my favourite thing in the world. When I’m on the hill, I feel free—like nothing is holding me back. The volunteers don’t just help me ski: they cheer me on, challenge me and make me believe I can do anything. When I first joined Track3, I was using a wheelchair most of the time. Now, I’m learning to walk on my own and using more words. Track3 has helped me face my fears and become the brave, confident boy I was born to be.” – ML Staff

To join the Building Futures journey and learn how to support this project, visit Track3.org or email track3@track3.org. Updates will be published in ML. 50

YOUR WAY THROUGH SIMCOE COUNTY Breweries. Cideries. Wineries. Meaderies. Distilleries Find a local craft beverage producer

BETA AT BLUE

Brandon Hindle ready to deliver the cold goods.

ALLISON KENNEDY-DAVIES

Ask A Snowmaker Answers to your burning (freezing?) snowmaking questions

ne of the best parts of Brandon Hindle’s job is testing out his own products. As Blue Mountain Resort’s Assistant Manager of Slope Maintenance, this means quality control for both snow and grooming. You can often find Hindle riding the chairlift around the resort to test out the conditions between other tasks. Understandably, guests at Blue have a ton of questions about snowmaking and snow conditions. We asked Brandon to answer the most common questions he’s asked on the chairlift. Read on to see if yours made the list.

Mountain Life: Why do you blow snow during a blizzard? Brandon Hindle: Natural snow creates a snowflake, whereas the snow that we make is more like a super-dense pellet of snow. This means when you see a 30 cm natural snowfall, it will compress to about 3 cm of snow when a groomer goes over it. When it comes to snowmaking, a 30 cm pile of snow will still compress, but you end up with closer to 25 cm of snow after it’s groomed. The second reason has everything to do with extending our ski season for as long as possible. If you see us making snow during a snowstorm it’s because we either don’t have enough snow or we are stockpiling to ensure key areas have snow for as long as possible. Our snow will cover a trail better and faster than natural snow, and ensure our guests can enjoy the trails for as long as possible.

ML: Are there chemicals in man-made snow? BH: We use a product called Snomax to help us produce more snow than we would be able to without it. Snomax is not a chemical but is based on proteins derived from a naturally occurring microbe. This microbe is found naturally all around the world, in the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat. (If you look on the Snomax website, you’ll find a great explanation.) Snomax helps us produce more snow with the same amount of energy and water and ultimately helps us reduce our impact on the environment. ML: Why do you make snow when the slopes are open? BH: We make snow based on snowmaking windows. In a snowmaking window, the air temperature, humidity, water temperature, wind speed and wind direction all have to align over a set number of hours. As you can guess, this can be hard to achieve, so when the opportunity presents itself, we will capitalize on it. Sometimes, we circle back after a trail is already open to make snow and get it to a depth we are happy with in a snowmaking window.

ML: Has snowmaking become far more important in recent years? BH: Absolutely. Snowmaking windows used to be longer and colder earlier in the year which allowed resorts to have longer seasons for our guests. Our snowmaking windows in November and December are now often at warmer temps and for shorter lengths of time. That’s why you will see us investing year over year on more efficient snowmaking guns, and automation. Newer guns allow us to make snow in warmer temperatures, and automation lets us ramp up and down faster which lets us make more snow in each window. ML: You can make snow at -2.5 C. Why aren’t the guns on? BH: Snowmaking is a bit of science, a bit of art and a bit of luck. People often hear -2.5 C and assume that if the weather network says -3 we should be able to make snow. What the Weather Network reports is the dry bulb temperature. But we base our snowmaking on the wet bulb temperature. This is a combination of the dry bulb as well as the humidity. If it’s -4 outside but snowing and the humidity is way up, then the wet bulb temp will be much lower. Essentially too much moisture in the air impacts whether we can make snow at all at warmer temperatures. In order to make snow at -2.5, the humidity, wind direction, wind speed and even the temperature of the water we use need to cooperate. In November and December, Georgian Bay is warmer than in January and February, impacting how and when we can make snow at marginal temperatures. Also, not all of our snow guns run at -2.5 wet bulb. Some of our guns need -4 or even -7 wet bulb to be able to run.

ML: Why’s that snowmaking pile so sticky and wet? BH: On open trails we will always try to make snow as dry as possible. However, part of snowmaking is the fact that it’s done in cold weather. This means our pipes and guns are just as susceptible to freezing as everything else. Our snowmakers are often responsible for 20 to 50 snowmaking guns across 365 acres of skiable terrain. Sometimes a snow gun will be affected by freezing or another issue before our snowmakers notice it. This can lead to the snow becoming very wet. It’s not intentional and the best thing you can do is let a patroller know. Want to learn more about snowmaking at Blue? Visit bluemountain.ca/about-us/environment/snowmaking

ABOVE Sarah Wells on base duty. BELOW The snowmaking plant. Blue employee Easton Bieman (L) and an independent contractor making sure the cold brew stays cold.

ALLISON KENNEDY-DAVIES

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1. New from YETI, THE SILO JUG is your everyday hydration sidekick. Roadie-grade insulation keeps drinks ice-cold, while a 100% leakproof, dishwasher-safe design delivers RockSolid durability. An over-engineered handle and fence hook keep it close from workouts to weekends. Core colours include Rescue Red, Navy, Black, and White. Also available in 1.89L. yeti.ca // 2. The PUFF ORIGINAL DOWN-FILLED NECK WARMERS are a true lifesaver on the hill. Designed to keep your face dry, warm, and comfortable, they block wind and chill so you can focus on what matters most—more laps, more runs, and longer days enjoying the mountain. Offered in a variety of colours and sizes. One dollar from every Puff sold is donated to POW Canada. puff.design // 3. HOMETOWN HALL’S MERCH is made to represent that hometown spirit wherever you go. Clean, easy-to-wear caps reflect the character of the people and the space and are best enjoyed with a pint from Son’s Brewing. Stop in, soak up the vibe, and take home a keepsake from the coolest place in Thornbury. hometownhall.ca // 4. Built for the vertical aspects of big mountain skiing, the ARC'TERYX SENTINEL JACKET available at Corbetts, is a freeride legend. Durable, breathable 80D 3L ePE GORE-TEX seals out the elements with soft, warm comfort, while ergonomic design, WaterTight pit zips, a helmet-compatible StormHood, and secure pockets keep you moving confidently in demanding terrain. corbetts.com // 5. POET SKIS’ THE BALLAD (A Conspiracy of Ravens 2026 limited edition) is a playful, all-round freerider with an undeniable powder bias. Built with a Tri-Axial laminate, poplar wood core, VDS dampening and hybrid camber, it carves hard, floats effortlessly and thrives at speed. It’s handcrafted in Canada as part of Poet’s inaugural 2026 Poet/Artist Collaboration. poetskis.com // 6. The ARC’TERYX QUINTIC 28 BACKPACK is freeride-specific, designed to have a shorter back length without compromising midsize capacity. It’s roomy enough for avalanche gear, extra layers, skins and the essentials you need for big days on snow but compact enough it won’t hinder a backflip. Built with a hybrid of weather-resistant fabrics and ultradurable nylon with a light, flexible frame, this pack delivers the stability to keep your centre of gravity solid. arcteryx.com

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7. Built for riders who like to rip, Corbetts offers the BURTON HIGHSHOT STEP ON SNOWBOARD BOOTS, giving you total control of boot fit and tensioning to match their powerful, responsive flex. The Sequence BOA Fit System lets you control shell closure and tension around your foot with a single dial for easy step-on performance. corbetts.com // 8. The ALPINE FULL ZIP WESTERN SHERPA SWEATER FROM MTN.HEAD is built for both up north and the city. This heavyweight slim-fit sweater delivers serious warmth, whether layered under a shell or worn on its own as a jacket—it’s easy, versatile and ready for cold days wherever they find you. mtnhead.com // 9. Perfect for riding every part of the mountain, the three-layer HELLY HANSEN EMIKO SHELL JACKET is crafted with HELLY TECH Professional technology for exceptional waterproof and windproof protection and breathability in wet and wintery conditions. A helmet-compatible hood keeps the wind out, a handy chest pocket keeps your valuables safe and the fully seam-sealed construction keeps you dry. hellyhansen.com // 10. Available at Little Eds, the BLIZZARD ANOMALY 94 SKI is anything but ordinary. Built to pivot, adapt and thrive in variable conditions, its TrueBlend woodcore delivers smooth, confidence-building control when the mountain gets crowded. You can’t tame the terrain—but this ski lets you own it. littleeds.com // 11. The TECNICA MACH1 LV 130, available at Little Ed’s, delivers real performance with real feel. Reimagined for stronger power, improved out-of-the-box fit, and easy customization, the new T-Drive system creates smooth, consistent flex—giving you precise, powerful control every turn. littleeds.com // 12. Available at Kamikaze, The SALOMON ESCAPE OUTRACK BACKCOUNTRY SKIS are built for off-trail adventure. With 138mm of flotation, integrated skins for secure grip and bindings that work with almost any footwear, they move like speedy snowshoes with glide—opening up endless possibilities in the backcountry. kamikazebikes.com // 13. Got a kid who’s always tinkering, testing and asking “what if?” AIR TOOBZ BY FAT BRAIN TOYS available at Minds Alive turns that curiosity into action. Build crazy air tunnels, blast foam balls and watch their imagination soar—because big thinkers need big play. mindsalive.ca

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MOUNTAIN HOME

Chalet THE ELEV ATED

A T

C R A I G L E I T H

words :: Ashley Warrington photos :: Mitchell Hubble

The community of the Orchard at Craigleith is tight-knit, many of whom are members of Craigleith Ski Club.

Set within the sought-after Orchard development at Craigleith, this elevated modern chalet captures the spirit of Blue Mountain living in every detail. When Dave and Cathy first stepped inside, they both felt it immediately. “It was perfect for our family,” Cathy recalls. “The layout was great for our three children. It just felt like home.” What they found was more than a house; it was the beginning of a life woven into the hills and the community. Spanning 4,462 square feet, this rare St. Anne model—only the second to come to market in 14 years— became Cathy’s creative canvas. As an interior designer and owner of the luxury design boutique Aspen & Ivy, in Barrie, she approached the home with an intuitive eye for warmth and balance. Each space tells a story through texture and tone: natural woods, refined finishes and sculptural lighting that glows like candlelight against the twilight hills outside.

The great room is where the day begins and ends— sunlight pouring in and the scent of coffee brewing, laughter echoing after long days on the slopes, the soft crackle of the fire marking the close of another perfect mountain evening. With its soaring Douglas fir beams and warmth that lingers long after the embers fade, it’s the kind of space that makes memories feel permanent. But it’s the kitchen that holds the soul of the home. Outfitted with Sub-Zero and Bertazzoni appliances, a Viking range hood, and quartz countertops, it’s where the family gathers and where memories have been cooked up, quite literally, by some of the area’s best chefs. One night, chef Shawn Edmonstone of Bruce Wine Bar transformed it into an intimate culinary experience, preparing an outstanding private multi-course meal. Another evening marked a milestone—Cathy and Dave’s 30th anniversary— when Rory Crozier from Thornbury’s The Bivalve (a popup seafood bar) brought his artistry to the space, cooking for their closest family and friends. Both nights captured the heart of this home: a place where great food, good company and beautiful design come together to create unforgettable moments.

ABOVE Hello world, we are ready for a great day. BELOW Soaring ceilings and a living room and kitchen built for entertaining.

ABOVE Quartz countertops, chosen specifically by Cathy. BOTTOM LEFT The outdoor sauna is the perfect healing space post-skiing.

Cathy puts it simply: “This isn’t just a chalet,” she says. “It’s a sanctuary—a place where mountain living and modern luxury meet in perfect balance.”

There are houses built near the mountains, and then there are homes that feel entirely of them. Upstairs, the primary suite feels like its own personal retreat. Summer mornings begin on the private balcony; winter mornings start with looking out the perfectly framed window, watching early skiers carve down the mountain—a view that Cathy cherishes. The ensuite is spa-like, with soaker tub and soft, elegant finishes that turn routine into retreat. Three additional bedrooms—one with its own ensuite and two connected by a shared Jack-and-Jill bath—create an effortless flow for family living.

Concept Home AI Generated Image

ALPINE DOUBLE SKI IN/SKI OUT LOT FOR SALE

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“This isn’t just a chalet. It’s a sanctuary—a place where mountain living and modern luxury meet in perfect balance.” The lower level is where the family’s love of adventure truly comes to life. A warm, newly finished rec room hosts movie nights and après-ski gatherings; a dedicated ski and bike tuning room keeps gear ready for the next day’s adventures. There’s even a steam shower and cold plunge—the ultimate pairing for athletes and wellness lovers alike. Outside, the connection to the landscape continues. A modern backyard sauna offers serenity after a day on the slopes, while the sun-dappled patio becomes a gathering spot through the summer. From here, the Craigleith tennis courts and pool are just a short walk away, and the trails that lace the community are an open invitation—for hiking, biking or an unhurried evening stroll home after some après fun.

ABOVE The large rec room is perfect for exercising while watching the game. BELOW A double car garage and curb appeal.

Mountainside Living Starting from the upper $800s*.

This is Your Windfall Welcome to the next phase of mountain homes nestled between Blue Mountain Resort and the award winning Scandinave Spa. A community set proudly apart yet connected by nature. Distinctive architecture inspired by Georgian Bay cabins and mountain chalets. This is everything you want Blue Mountain living to be. This is your Windfall.

Save over $200,000 on select move-in ready Builder Collection Homes.

VISIT OUR MODEL HOMES – SEMI & SINGLE DETACHED

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104 Yellow Birch Crescent, Blue Mountains, Ontario | 705.293.0954 * Move-in ready semis from the upper $800s & Singles from the $1M’s. Savings, incentives, & promotions are subject to change or withdrawal at any time without notice. Availability, pricing, & closing date options may vary. Conditions and restrictions may apply. Please speak with a sales associate for full details. E. & O. E.

ABOVE The warmth of timber is unmatched. BELOW So many memories happen in the great room.

Of course, the greatest luxury might just be the setting itself. Georgian Bay, Blue Mountain Village and the slopes of Craigleith all lie within easy reach, yet the neighbourhood remains peaceful and close-knit. “It’s active, welcoming and perfect for raising a family who wants to fully live the mountain life,” says Cathy.

Each space tells a story through texture and tone... For Dave and Cathy’s family, this home has been a haven of closeness and calm, where shared moments are carried from the great room to the hills outside. Now, it stands ready for a new chapter, for a family who will gather in the same kitchen where chefs once cooked, where celebrations took shape and where the spirit of mountain living is felt in every thoughtfully designed space.

OUR CLIENTS SAY,

UNDERSTATED, BUT FULLY AND ABSOLUTELY STUNNING—IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO LOVE SCOTT YOUNG AND HIS TEAM. It’s all about how your home feels.

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SCOT-BUILD DEV. INC. – (705 888 2759) scot-build.ca NORDIC / NORTHERN EUROPEAN & FULL CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS

ABOVE Carefully selected doors and hardware accent the bedrooms. BOTTOM RIGHT This dining room table has hosted so many special meals together with the family.

What makes this home unforgettable is the way it harmonizes all the things that matter: meaningful family living, refined craftsmanship and effortless access to the outdoors. It’s a place made for post-ski evenings by the fire, long summer days on the trails and Georgian Bay and moments of connection that unfold naturally in this beautiful sanctuary. For the next family, it offers not just a residence, but a lifestyle: a place to gather, to celebrate and to experience the quiet magic of daily life elevated by design, comfort and connection.

THE ORCHARD HOUSE The Builder The Appliances

Macpherson Builders Sub-Zero, Bertazzoni

The Realtor Paul Peterson, Chestnut Park

The Neighbourhood The Orchard at Craigleith

Georgian Bay Realty – More Than Listings, It’s a Lifestyle �� Your Local Legends – With 25+ years

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Play Hard. Rest Harder. Discover Baybounds! Your ultimate resort-style, country-coastal home base between your adventures.

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Prices and promotion correct at press time and are subject to change without notice. Monthly amount based on 20% downpayment and 3-year fixed RBC Green Home mortgage with 2% IRBD. Rates subject to change. Image above depicts exterior elevations of the two-storey netzero towns at Baybounds and are artist’s rendering. Colours, layouts and unit placements may vary from the actual. *Some conditions apply. See our sales representative for details. Brokers protected. E. & O. E. December 2025

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MOUNTAIN HOME

ABOVE Light pours in the huge windows from EuroVinyl. COLIN FIELD. BELOW The roar of the Beaver River over Slabtown Dam. RIGHT The state of the art Stuv Fireplace in the great room. "Presence without dominance," says Greg.

Down By the

River This Slabtown timber frame is lovingly built with a balance of warmth and minimalism

words :: Nadia Pestrak photos :: Nat Kay When it comes to the Blue Mountains region, there are many neighbourhoods to choose from. But if you’re talking charm and community, there are few as appealing as Slabtown. For those in the market for a new house, Greg and Allison’s timber frame within reach of the Beaver River offers not just a home built with uncommon attention, but a setting that provides nature and community. When Greg and Allison first admired a timberframe house in the area, they connected with the framer responsible for it. He gifted them the plans, and they adapted the interior. “Once you’ve built a house yourself, it’s hard to imagine not being involved

again,” Greg explains. “There’s a peace of mind that comes from knowing every beam, every decision.” He really means it. Growing up on a farm, Greg developed a love of practical work. At the Slabtown property, Greg did everything from clearing trees to excavation and framing. He acted as general contractor and for some elements, a hands-on builder. This is the third house that Greg and Allison have built together. “We love the process, from beginning to end,” says Allison. When asked what they learned from earlier homes, Allison answers: “We’ve learned what matters. Which for us has a lot to do with flow and light; how a space feels when you walk into it.” While their previous timber-frame home used darker stains, the pale wood here provides a warmth that more minimalist homes often lack. Greg says

one of his favourite spots is the living room, where he can lean back in a chair and look up to admire the frame: 10"x16" beams, all handcrafted, and the artistry of the hand-pegged joints. “We let the timber be the focal point,” Allison says. Everything else softens into the background: for example, the streamlined kitchen with soft grey backsplash and a quartz island that naturally gathers friends and family. The fireplace, too, is understated. Instead of the floor-to-ceiling stone centrepieces they used in past builds, the couple chose something quieter. “We wanted presence without dominance,” Greg says. It offers warmth and atmosphere without overtaking the room. The eight-foot windows throughout the home are another defining feature. To the south, the living room and main bedroom face trees, the quiet Slabtown

ABOVE Potlucks, and many family gatherings. BELOW Quartz countertops from City Stone.

WE LOVE

WHAT WE DO. AND IT SHOWS. There’s nothing like real handcrafted stonework that stands the test of time.

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ABOVE The backyard in summer. Professional landscaping always is worth it. BELOW Slabtown: The Blue Mountain's gem of a hamlet.

road, and beyond that, a neighbouring farm. To the north, views unfold across poplars and apple trees toward a distant berm. The landscape shifts with the seasons, from white apple blossoms to branches heavy with snow. The couple loves having access to nature without the stress of maintaining a large acreage. The balance between warmth and minimalism continues with an open-riser wood staircase leading to a study with a glass railing that lets the light and views carry through. A sloped-ceiling bedroom feels cozy yet still bright, and the sharedaccess washroom connects seamlessly to both the bedroom and the hall. The basement expands the home’s flexibility: two additional bedrooms, a family room with a fireplace, an exercise area, storage and direct access to the double garage. At just under 5,000 square feet, the house feels spacious but never sprawling, providing communal space as well as privacy.

FO R SA L E

FO R SALE

133 Old Lakeshore The Blue Mountains

101 Deer Lane The Blue Mountains

120 Sebastian Street The Blue Mountains

Steps from Georgian Peaks, this warm 5-bed house backs onto the Georgian Trail and features a cozy wood-burning fireplace, hot tub, and spacious lower level for après-ski. Large lot, oversized garage, and close to Blue Mountain and Thornbury.

Modern 5,000 sq. ft. Peaks Bay bungalow with vaulted ceilings, luxe finishes, and a double-sided fireplace. Enjoy a chef’s kitchen, saltwater pool, huge deck, gym, and office— steps to Georgian Bay and minutes to top ski clubs.

This meticulously built masterpiece offers panoramic bay views and direct sight-lines to Georgian Peaks Ski Club, this home is designed for elegance and adventure at your doorstep.

FO R SA L E

FO R SALE

128 Arnot Cres The Blue Mountains

180 Russell St Thornbury

116 Timber Lane Thornbury

Luxury Nipissing Ridge home at the base of Alpine and Craigleith. Features 20-ft great room, chef’s kitchen, main-floor primary suite, upper family room, finished lower level, and premium finishes. Steps to skiing, trails, and Georgian Bay.

This bungalow blends elegance & privacy on a beautifully landscaped lot. Enjoy a backyard retreat with a waterfall, outdoor fireplace and stone patios. Bright open living, spalike primary, finished lower level with 2nd kitchen. Perfect for entertaining or in-law living.

Elegant Thornbury home with luxurious finishes throughout. The open-concept layout is perfect for entertaining and everyday living. Enjoy a beautifully landscaped backyard with a deck, stone patio, and firepit– just moments from Georgian Bay.

Your Dream Home Awaits. We love living in South Georgian Bay and we think you will too. Get in touch to learn more about our latest listings.

Mike Kearns

Sarah Cayley

Helen Lightbody

Joey Braden

Stephanie Hardy

Founder & REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Operations & Marketing

The Kearns Group 705-888-2888 mike@thekearnsgroup.ca

Royal LePage Signature Realty 64 Hurontario St. Suite 140, Collingwood ON, L9Y 2L6

TheKearnsGroup.ca Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

BELOW "We let the timber frame be the focal point," Allison says. BOTTOM All the design aspects simply make sense.

The family is as in love with the setting as with the house itself. In the summer their daughter swims in the nearby river. They can hear the water running over the dam from the house. “It sounds like the ocean, it’s calming,” says Greg. They take walks, enjoy their neighbours’ cross-country ski trails, and take part in Slabtown potlucks, bonfires, hog roasts and spirited Halloween celebrations. Their daughter often visits their neighbour’s horses. “She loves horses as well as the whole lifestyle and environment of farming. So, it’s got us thinking about what’s next,” says Allison. For now, though, they are enjoying their handcrafted home in Slabtown and the pause between chapters. It is a home built with care, ready to welcome its next story.

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FEATURE

LEFT Slopestyle qualifier, Whistler Blackcomb.

SUPPLIED BY STAN RELJIC. ABOVE Canada Cup at Sun Peaks, BC.

FINELLA O'LEARY

Big Air Mentality From park laps at home to camps in New Zealand, a Thornbury-based rising freestyle star shows how mindset, talent, coaching, and supportive parents combine to produce results when the stakes are high words :: Colin Field Evan Reljic did not charge into freestyle skiing. He started in the gates, grinding through Friday-to-Sunday race training and holiday camps like every other kid at Georgian Peaks Club. “I wasn’t a huge fan of it,” the 17-year-old recalls. “I would try to change out of it every year. They wouldn’t let me. For years.” But the park was calling. The coaches noticed too.

“He hates racing,” a family friend who worked with the Peaks’ freestyle program confided to his parents. “Let him migrate to the park. We’ll take good care of him.” That shift unlocked everything. Park laps turned into structured training with small teams, then bigger ones. First he was on the Senders team. Then the Contenders. And then the steady presence of coach Corey Vanular—the mentor who, by the family’s account, clicked with Evan—helped shape him into a provincial team athlete. After a sudden shoulder injury mountain biking at Horseshoe, it looked like Evan’s season was done. He missed pre-season camps due to the injury. Then he had to skip some of the early-season trips. But he went on to deliver his most

competitive winter yet, including a bronze in halfpipe at nationals. A discipline he hardly claims as his own. CALCULATED COURAGE Teenagers get celebrated for fearlessness. Evan’s parents say he’s wired a little differently. They call it healthy paranoia. It shows up at the top of a run when something feels off: a lip that is late, a landing that is too flat, wind gusts crossing the jump line. He will step back. “He’ll walk away from a comp or downgrade what he’s doing because it’s not safe,” Evan’s dad Stan says. That restraint is not hesitation. It is survival. In a sport where one crash can end a season or more, judgment is a competitive skill. 81

GROOMING THEIR BRAINS That’s not to say freestyle skiing embraces a huck and pray attitude. It doesn’t. Evan is currently working on double flips. But he needs to get certified. If Evan throws a double in competition without that sign-off, he is disqualified. It sounds strict because it is. “Freestyle does a really good job of making sure the athletes know what they’re doing,” says Stan. “It’s that spatial awareness, grooming their brains, getting their minds to understand that you’re upside down, you’re sideways. The airbag training in Quebec, which he does three or four times a year, is where they get that spatial awareness.” The path to becoming certified is clearly defined. “They make you do 30 [tricks] on the various tracks before you can actually do it in a competition. And then he has to do it ten times on snow perfectly before he gets certified in that specific trick. It helps athletes and keeps kids safe.” THE COACH WHO CLICKED Every athlete’s arc features a coach. For Evan, that was Corey Vanular. The two met years ago at The Peaks and stayed linked through program changes. Corey’s style matched Evan’s learning. When a shoulder injury happened the message was simple: Rebuild, be smart, trust the steps. The comeback winter became the breakout winter. “How did he make the provincial team? Corey getting him to a level where he had an explosive year,” Stan says. THE FAMILY PLAN Freestyle is a team sport dressed up as individual glory. The team starts at home. Janet, Evan’s mom, worked a decade at The Peaks in food and beverage, which is how the kids ended up skiing there. The family has roots across Meaford, Thornbury and Clarksburg. His brother Niko supports his endeavour. Cousins and grandparents thread through the story. Schedules do too. The sport sends Evan everywhere, so the family goes when it can.

TOP Hitting rails at Sun Peaks, BC. FINELLA O'LEARY BOTTOM The Reljic family in their garage which doubles as hangout zone. Stan and Janet (parents) have learned to adopt a zen-like approach to watching their son's big airs. COLIN FIELD

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“We know in a few years we’re going to lose him, so we take advantage of every minute we have,” Stan says. Stan and Evan managed a month in New Zealand for preseason. A gift of time. A chance for parents to see their kid in his element, far from home. They don’t sugarcoat the fear: Phone calls from paramedics after a crash at the Horseshoe Bike Park; updates from friends when another athlete gets carted off. The community cuts both ways. “It becomes more than just your kid,” Stan says. “One of the other kids crashes and you’re devastated.” Then the village rallies. Rides get arranged. Someone finds a physiotherapist. The machine starts rolling again. COMMUNITY AND SPONSORS Support shows up in practical ways too. Armada backed Evan when he was still a relative unknown. The brand sends skis fast when the inevitable emergencies hit mid-season. Squire John’s mounts bindings late on a Thursday so he can

TOP RIGHT Getting waxed.

COLIN FIELD. BELOW Spin to win at Sun Peaks.

travel on Saturday. The family notices who shows up. They won’t forget. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Ask Evan about goals and he shrugs. He wants to make it to the next level. He understands how large that leap can be. For now, success looks like certified tricks, clean laps and a body that feels ready to ski again tomorrow. It looks like walking away when the math is wrong. It looks like being coachable, being present, being part of the bigger thing Freestyle Ontario is building. THE NEXT RUN Evan’s family has made peace with the risk and decided that passion matters more than fear. Freestyle rewards the bold. It also rewards those who build a system. Ontario’s program insists on reps and sign-offs before the big stage. Coaches suggest the right trick in the right place. Parents book flights and pay for it all.

FINELLA O'LEARY

Extended family look after siblings and pets. Sponsors get skis to the door. Friends step in when needed. That is the village. It is how a softspoken kid from Thornbury drops into the halfpipe with something steady under him. Not luck. Not hype. A plan. A mindset. A family. A community that believes the next run can be the best one yet.

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FEATURE

"Traditionally, ice climbs follow frozen waterfalls but as technology and skills advanced, climbers started looking at rock faces with big icicles. These mixed climbs are very condition-dependent and vary from year to year. I’ve shot Andriy Kolos on Broken Arrow (near Algonquin Park; M6+, WI5) before, but on this day the ice was looking thin. Luckily, Andriy is a strong climber. To set up this shot, I had to climb another route to the left since there is no easy hike to the top. I topped out above the cliff and hiked about 30 feet over and rappelled in. I shot at a wide angle and included the belayer to show scale." – Will Tam

Will Tam T H E

T I R E L E S S

E Y E

Mountain Life: When did you start shooting? Will Tam: I used a point and shoot in university, then later a GoPro when POV videos were really taking off. Looking back now, it gives me a headache to watch those. And I later realized it didn’t give you a good perspective of what climbing actually was. So I started rigging up my GoPro either on a tripod or right onto the route, for a different angle. My friend Peter Song had a Sony mirrorless. Eventually, I bought the same camera and Peter was kind enough to lend me a bunch of manual lenses, and teach me to appreciate the focus control and take the time to compose. ML: Tell us about your ice shoots. WT: I do a little bit of ice climbing, but I don’t lead. I do mostly top rope. I’ve led once, but that was good enough for me. Toproping on ice is similar to rock climbing (the difference is, you're freezing your ass off). ML: How do you get into position to shoot? WT: The lead climber trails my rope up and fixes it to an anchor. In established areas, there might already be drilled-in hardware; otherwise, you use whatever nature provides. Then I jumar up or climb up, attach to the fixed line, and stop where the perspective works. Sometimes I’m aiming for a specific move or an angle that looks good. Rock climbing is different. I lead rock routes, so I can set those shots up myself. For ice, I rely on someone else.

"I shot this self-portrait on a climbing trip in Orient Bay, about two hours northeast of Thunder Bay."

words :: Ned Morgan Will Tam is tireless. Despite a demanding day job, he finds time to shoot a broad spectrum of outdoor subjects in the Blue Mountains and farther afield. A glance at his Instagram grid suggests rock climbing as the dominant pursuit, though on closer examination, that’s only part of the story. From the Aurora over Georgian Bay, to a solar eclipse over a field, to a wren in the Collingwood Arboretum, to the boulders of Owens River Gorge in California, Tam is attentive to the outdoor world in its many forms and the place of humans in it. The 40-year-old climber, skier and birder (who is also no slouch on the piano) has been active in the local outdoor adventure community for over 15 years. Will and his wife Monika moved from Toronto to the Collingwood area in 2024, motivated mainly by the access to climbing, skiing and a more chill lifestyle. ML spoke to Will recently about his beginnings in photography, shooting icebound cliffs, sidecountry stashes and more.

ML: You’re also shooting more snow action in the last few years. WT: I was fortunate that after we moved up here, I got to know some of the local climbers who also happened to ski, and they invited me out, mostly on early-morning missions. I didn’t have a proper backcountry setup, so I was schlepping up there in snowshoes with my skis on my back. This year I have backcountry gear! ML: How much setup is involved? WT: It’s pretty spontaneous. Once you go back to the same spots, you get to know the features. You see an obvious feature like a flowerpot and if the athlete can hit it safely, and I can get myself in a position to capture it, that’s what I’m trying to go for. ML: You’re happy living up here? You don’t miss the city? WT: I don’t miss the traffic. I do miss the food. When we go to Toronto, we try to catch up on the foods we miss and visit family. But no regrets living here. My wife wishes we’d moved earlier. ML: More and more people move here just for the outdoor rec access. WT: When you travel to recreate, you book a place right next to the spot. Living here feels like that: you wake up, drive ten minutes and you’re there.

"This was shot on a double-sports day. I had just done a ski tour that morning and our friends who live near Duncan Caves invited a bunch of friends over for an afternoon of tobogganing down a country road with no winter maintenance. Shot here is my friend Rachel Kwan, a local florist. I had my snow-bibs and big winter boots on, so I hiked down the road and plopped myself low to the ground to shoot up the hill."

"My wife’s dragon-boating friend, Andy Lee, likes to seek out challenges and one of them is polar dips. He happened to look up Hogg’s Falls and since it’s not too far from where we live, my wife and I went out to support him and Annette Cheung (another dragon boater). If I recall, the little meat thermometer he brought read 0.6°C!"

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"The skier is Adam Reeve, a local climber, skier and friend. He took me on my first Ontario backcountry outing a week before this photo. For this particular shot, Adam had already lapped me and was strapping in at the top of the run. I was still bootpacking up the hill but I saw an opening he could take partway down his run. "

"The snowy owl is more common than we think but because of its camouflage, it is hard to spot. Every winter, snowy owls migrate from the Arctic and can be found along the shores of the Great Lakes or out in fields, hunting. In order to minimize the animal’s disturbance, it’s best practice to keep your distance, minimize your noise and never bait (feed) birds of prey like owls. I shot this owl at 600 mm with my telephoto up on a small hill in order to get almost eye-level with it."

From

$129

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Imagine saying no to this?

OLIVIER JOBIN

TRAVEL

Saying Yes to the

Eastern Townships Four days sampling the finest Quebec alpine—who could say no?

words :: Rudy Jenkins It’s 7:30 p.m. on a Sunday night in the depths of February. Faced with a sudden dilemma, I dial my friend’s number and cross my fingers. “Hey, guys. I’m packing up for a road trip tomorrow and two people just bailed. Wanna go?” They need time to think about it, but 15 minutes is all it takes. Four days and three nights sampling all there is to sample in the Eastern Townships of Quebec—who could say no? Actually, most grownups would decline. Jobs! Responsibilities! Kids! School! But sometimes you just gotta do the thing, eh? Twelve hours later, we hit the highway. Armed with the L’EST GO Cards, we’re hoping to ski all four hills on the pass—Sutton, Bromont, Orford and Owl’s Head. But our timing is tight. First stop: Dinner at the Edgar Hyperlodge in Bromont. Rolling in from our snowy drive, we’re craving warm, homey food. I spy the braised beef and know from the description it will move the needle a bit too far in the rich direction for my belly (which turns out to be an accurate prediction), but I dive in anyway, savouring every dangerous bite. The next morning finds us suiting up at Mont Sutton, where the no-frills base lodge, low-and-slow Erector-set chairlifts and European-vibe restaurant at the top give us all the warm-and-fuzzy feels. 93

Vintage Tucker Sno-Cats, chill glades, laid-back employees having just as much fun as the skiers, one of the best après bars in the country—it’s nothing short of a dream, really. Sutton is everything I remember skiing to be as a kid, and everything I’ve ever wanted a ski hill to be as an adult. Part of me wants to dig in and refuse to leave; they’ll have to carry me out, legs flailing. But I choose to behave (with maybe a bit of pouting). Next morning we head from our Bromont base to Orford; like yesterday, it’s just a half-hour drive. The fog is intense, but we find our way among the rocky cliffs and frozen waterfalls. When the clouds lift, we catch a glimpse of the full resort: Orford is really three mountains, connected by undulating runs through the valleys, and the woods between are dotted with the bright colours of super-fit Quebecois marching their way to the top for a single, earned run to the bottom. But there’s no time to savour the views—we need to squeeze in one more hill today. This time it’s easy-peasy; we ski right out our door at Bromont. Managing to arrive at the top of the

gondola in time for sunset views from the why-is-everything-perfect-in-Quebec Chalet du Sommet, we ski in the shadows with brilliant alpenglow blushing pink on the birches beside us. It’s otherworldly and mildly tear-jerking, and I’m left wondering why it’s my first experience with the phenomenon.

Armed with the L’EST GO Cards, we’re hoping to ski all four hills on the pass— Sutton, Bromont, Orford and Owl’s Head. But our timing is tight. After a night-skiing adventure down the rainbow-lit bunny hill, we ski to dinner (La Debarque—where we may or may not have ordered every dessert on the menu and may or may not have had a number of drinks) and afterward straight-line it back to the magic carpet that will deliver

us home. I neglect to brake and hit the belt at full speed, launching over the handlebars to land flat on my back. Which is where I remain, cackling on the slowly inching carpet, an overstuffed turtle pinned down by an overfilled backpack, skis and poles so twisted it takes two people, equally as entertained with the situation, to untangle the mess. The liftie in the top shack is still bellylaughing and pointing by the time I make it to the top. It’s a moment we would’ve missed— along with the grinning and chatty retiree lifties at Bromont and the supersecret trails at Sutton—if our friends hadn’t dropped everything to join in. A lesson learned, maybe? A lesson to say yes. Take the trip. Eat the beef. Screw responsibilities. Life is short, and belly emergencies have a short life. It’s always worth it. Always.

The Eastern Townships L’EST GO Card combines access to four mountains— Bromont, Sutton, Orford and Owl’s Head— in one affordable card. Learn more at easterntownships.org/lestgo.

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MOUNTAIN LIFERS This issue, we proudly present to you locals who quietly go about their business, every day making a difference in the community, in the lives of youth and all those around them. These are shining stars you might meet one day on the trail or the chairlift. And now you’ll have something to talk about.

The Artist Jennifer Wabegijig words :: Nadia Pestrak Based in the Blue Mountains for the past 12 years, textile artist Jennifer Wabegijig designs and screen-prints under her label Wild & Glorious, a name that nods to the natural world that inspires her, while reclaiming a word once used to denigrate Indigenous people. “It’s taking back something negative,” she says. “And celebrating what’s beautiful.” Jennifer trained in textiles at Fleming College’s Haliburton School of the Arts (Fibre Arts Program) in 2016, but her creative path began much earlier, when as a teenager she sewed her own bags. Today she gathers her dyes seasonally, choosing natural methods over chemical. Wild grapes are her favourite source of dye—abundant, rich in colour, seasonal and tied to a teaching she grew up with: Don’t over-pick, take only what you need. The dyeing process is slow and intentional. Grapes are frozen, simmered and strained; canvas is washed, soaked in salt, then dipped, dried and cut. Only then does she begin assembling her wall hangings and textiles, stitching shapes into place or screen-printing her signature designs. Her motifs, such as Great Lakes linework, a pine tree from her grandfather’s land, or dragonflies, reflect both her deep understanding of her surroundings and her preference for simplicity. “I want [my work] to feel accessible to everyone.” While her experiences as an Anishinaabe woman raised on Manitoulin Island have shaped her work, Jennifer is deliberate about not letting others define her art solely through her heritage. “People sometimes expect an Indigenous story for every design.” Her work can be found online through wildandglorious.ca, at markets around the Blue Mountains and recently in an Indigenous department-store pop-up in Toronto called Aaniin. Wabegijig was also featured in the documentary Voices: A Pathway to Inclusion, produced by Inuit cultural teacher Muckpaloo Ipeelie, which explores how Canada’s colonial legacy continues to impact its institutions. Living as an Indigenous person in a small town brings both challenges and moments of connection. As shared in the documentary, Wabegijig has experienced dismissiveness toward her business that left her shaken. Yet she also points to places where inclusion feels genuine. Staff at Thornbury’s L.E. Shore Library, she says, seek to highlight Indigenous experience, and recently invited her to host a fabric-printing workshop. At workshops and markets alike, Jennifer revels in the connection that her art inspires. People come for a tote bag or a wall hanging, and stay to talk. “It bridges a gap,” she concludes. TOP The Great Lakes get Jennifer's textile linework treatment. SUPPLIED BY JENNIFER WABEGIJIG. MIDDLE Jennifer at work in her studio. TRILLIUM WABEGIJIG. BOTTOM More textile linework. Jennifer revels in the connection that her art inspires. SUPPLIED BY JENNIFER WABEGIJIG.

As educators, Sophie Keil and Curtis Shepard exemplify the Wilde School’s commitment to learning that’s grounded in community and applied well beyond the classroom. DAVID LOOPSTRA

The Educators Wilde School Blue Mountains' Curtis Shepard & Sophie Keil words :: Nadia Pestrak While educators Curtis Shepard and Sophie Keil spend much, if not most, of their day outside, they aren’t forest-school teachers. They work at the Wilde School Blue Mountains which is fully aligned with the Ontario curriculum and asserts that academic excellence, ecological intelligence, emotional well-being and leadership development thrive best when they grow together. The school sits on 100 acres that is shared with Hundred Acre Wood, a distinct non-profit early-years child care provider and alternative forest school. The place feels like a small village thrumming with activity. As well as the main buildings, there are yurts warmed by wood stoves, outdoor classrooms, gardens, hiking and cross-country ski trails and a stage for the annual musical. 98

Shepard, a grade 4/5 teacher full of warmth and vigour, describes how Wilde transformed his teaching. “At my old job, I went in, punched the clock and left. Something was lacking.” He is a firm believer in Wilde’s model, which allows students’ interests to influence learning across subjects—creating ownership that fuels curiosity. Says Shepard, “It’s way easier to teach someone who wants to learn about something. If they bring the spark to the fire, I’ve got enough wood to keep feeding it.” Grade 7/8 teacher Sophie Keil echoes that balance of structure and responsiveness. “We meet the curriculum, but topics and projects are often student-driven,” she says. That doesn’t mean fundamentals take a back seat. “Division and fractions are still out there,” she laughs, describing how her class used math skills while sorting canned goods for the food bank. With an MSc in Education from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland, Keil values both academics and hands-on experience. “Academia gave me the knowledge I needed, but working at a ranch for a year gave me skills and shaped me to be who I am. I feel like we’re creating better human beings by giving them more skills than academic ones.” Her classroom’s “Turtletown” project demonstrates this philosophy in action. What began as ecological curiosity grew into a multidisciplinary undertaking: students researched habitat needs, consulted experts, wrote project plans, dug out a pond and even used geometry to attempt a perfect circle. Shepard (who dressed as a cedar waxwing at the school’s Halloween celebration), proudly notes that four students recently presented on backyard birding at the L.E. Shore library in Thornbury. “We try to get our students going out more, not just into nature, but into society. It’s a way of testing the school’s academic rigour and the skills the kids are learning.” Students regularly win medals at the Bluewater District Science Fair and have been published in writing competitions. This fall, Sophie’s class dressed up and attended the Escarpment Corridor Alliance‘s Nature Corridor Summit and interviewed presenters as part of their Turtletown research. Both Keil and Shepard take part in camping trips with their classes, and see them not just as trips but as opportunities for students to use planning skills in a group setting. Sophie’s class paddled the French River for five days, studying the fur trade, navigation, mapping and interdependence while managing meals, gear and camp responsibilities. Shepard highlights the value of grit. “The learning zone is just outside of the comfort zone. We allow them to struggle a little bit. And what comes out of that is the confidence, the leadership, the teamwork, the can-do attitude.” As educators, Sophie Keil and Curtis Shepard exemplify the Wilde School’s commitment to learning that’s grounded in community and applied well beyond the classroom. Shepard adds: “Everywhere is a classroom—the gardens, the trail, the soccer pitch, even the mall.”

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The (Former) Music Exec Marla Simon words :: Nadia Pestrak

ASHLEY WARRINGTON

Life in the Blue Mountains often hides surprising stories behind familiar faces. When people move from other places as so many residents have, they often leave behind other versions of their lives. Marla Simon is one of those people. Marla and her husband Steve are music executives turned real estate agents. Born in New York, Marla began her music career at UCLA, turning an internship at Columbia Records into a fast climb within the Sony Music family, eventually rising to Vice President of International Marketing and Sales in New York City. Her work took her across the globe with iconic artists—Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Ozzy Osbourne, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper and Luther Vandross among others—shaping how their music reached audiences worldwide. Life shifted when Marla met Steve, a Canadian music executive. The couple bought a weekend retreat in Thornbury before moving full-time in 2012. “I went from being a single woman in Manhattan to being married with two kids and a dog living in Thornbury,” she laughs. Was it a big change? Absolutely. But after two decades in Manhattan, Marla welcomed it. In the Blue Mountains, she and Steve embraced it all: skiing at Georgian Peaks, biking, hiking, paddleboarding, yoga, golfing and daily walks with their dog to the beach. “We love the community, and all four seasons. And we love the small town but also the fact that we don’t have to drive to Toronto for a great place to eat or to go shopping.”

“I went from being a single woman in Manhattan to being married with two kids and a dog living in Thornbury.” With both Marla and Steve steeped in marketing and sales, real estate emerged as a natural fit. At Locations North, Marla and Steve apply the same marketing savvy that guided their music careers. “We’re marketing your biggest asset,” says Marla. They approach each property like a creative project, thinking in terms of branding, storytelling, target audiences and sustained promotion. In the second-home market, where buyers often live elsewhere and timelines stretch, this strategic approach is crucial. “A home is like an album,” Marla explains. “You don’t just release it and see what happens. You nurture it, promote it and find the people who will love it.” In a town full of reinvention, Marla reminds us that the Blue Mountains can be a place to take what you’ve learned and begin again. FROM TOP All-Access passes from Marla's career as a music executive; Marla and Cali on the trail in the Blue Mountains; On a music video shoot with members of the band Suicidal Tendencies and the New York Rangers; With Tom Morello when Rage Against The Machine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. SUPPLIED by MARLA SIMON

100

On behalf of the Meaford Hospital Foundation

THANK YOU

to our guests and sponsors!

In Support of the Meaford Hospital Foundation Presented By

Legacy Sponsor: The John & Linda Fogolin Foundation Guardian Sponsors: CIBC PRIVATE WEALTH WOOD GUNDY THE WILLSON INVESTMENT GROUP

ER: An Evening of Revelry was a successful celebration of community spirit and generosity. Together, we raised over $290,000, all of which will go to help revitalize the Brightshores Meaford Hospital Emergency Department. mhfoundation.ca • mhfoundation@brightshores.ca

The Shopkeeper James Hindle words :: Nadia Pestrak There’s no telling what your eye will spy when you walk into Hindle’s Clarksburg Hardware. The aisles nearly reach the ceiling in some sections, lined with everything from pruning shears and rubber boots to bolts, wool socks, kitchen implements and objects you might not have known existed (case in point: grape slicer). Eighty-one-year-old owner James Hindle moves spryly through those aisles, attending to customers. He and his late wife Patricia bought the place (a hardware store since 1929) 54 years ago. “I sure miss my companion and support,” Hindle says. Her photo—and presence—is everywhere. “She better be waiting for me on the other side,” he says, then adds, “But I’m not in any hurry to get there.” These days, his daughter, Carol, works with him at the store. Hindle’s is a true rarity: a family business that has endured on a sleepy small-town street for half a century. Spend a little time here and the reason for its longevity becomes clear—carefully chosen products, fair prices, community ties and, perhaps most of all, Hindle himself. He eyes a screw in a customer’s outstretched palm. “Metric, huh?” He heads to an aisle, folds to his knees, and pulls open drawers until he finds a match. When he stands, I offer a hand in case he needs support. He rises easily and, with a grin, shakes my hand. “I knew you’d have it,” the customer laughs. A common refrain, because Hindle has everything. He’s stayed independent to maintain control over both variety and quality. What customers want has changed over the years. “We used to sell nails by the pound every day,” he recalls. “Now, very seldom do we sell nails. People don’t do as much work themselves.” But certain things don’t change, like Hindle’s insistence on a fair price. “I’ve been told I don’t charge enough,” he says. “But I’d rather have people say, ‘You’re not charging enough,’ than, ‘Do I have to pay that much?’ I feel better that way. I can still make a living.” Hindle prioritizes Canadian products, but some of his inventory comes from Japan, including his specialty—pruning tools. He admires the quality of the Damascus steel and has longstanding relationships with suppliers, some going back 30 years. His tools have earned him customers from across Canada. Hulking on the counter is Hindle’s vintage National Cash Register. It has a satisfying ch-ching sound, and a “ding” that suggests chimes. “Why not debit?” I ask. “Because I don’t need it.” In an increasingly cashless world, this in itself is remarkable. “When I bought this store, they told me to get a new cash register,” he says. “How many would I have gone through by now? I’ve only had to fix this three times.” Fixing an antique like that entails a visit to a specialist in Creston, Ohio. Might there be something more modern, more high-tech for Hindle’s store? Sure. But think of the quality and stories lost along the way. FROM TOP James Hindle will fix or sharpen anything; 54 years in business, and counting; the prized vintage National Cash Register. GLEN HARRIS

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Come visit us

You’ll love it here!

Culinary s Delight

Outdoor scenery,anfuytn & breathtaking ime of year

Outdoor Markets

Amazing Concerts

On the southern shore of beautiful Georgian Bay Visit us at meaford.ca (519) 538-1060 tourism@meaford.ca

Where the acoustics are renowned, and intimacy is at its best.

January 24 - The Bookends

Celebrate Robbie Burns Day with us on Jan 24

Celebrate Robbie Burns Day with us!

February 5 - Whiskey Jack: Believe in your Country Celebrating Stompin’ Tom’s 90th Birthday with comedian Seán Cullen

February 11 - Gowan March 7 - Diyet & The Love Soliders

SIP, SAVOR, AND UNWIND INSIDE MARKDALE’S HISTORIC BANK. Enjoy great draft beers, handcrafted cocktails, and curated wines in a warm, welcoming bar. Check out our unique wine bottle shop nestled right in the original bank vault. Open nightly, live music weekly.

Photo by: Corey Kelley - Tour Bus Entertainment

The Bookends

Diyet & The Love Soldiers March 7

Alternative country, folk, roots and traditional with catchy melodies rooted in Indigenous life.

March 11 - High Valley March 12 - Séan McCann

Sings The Great Big Songbook

March 14 - Gaucho The music of Steely Dan March 19 - Sloan A Tour de Force March 28 - Floydium Pink Floyd Tribute March 29 - The Slocan Ramblers April 11 - Brass Transit

The Slocan Ramblers March 29

The Musical Legacy of Chicago

We’ve got it all at Meaford Hall! meafordhall.ca 12 Nelson St E, Meaford 877-538-0463

COME FEEL THE VIBE AT THE VAULT MARKDALE!

arts & cultural centre Since

2006

Explore Meaford’s robust and unique history. meafordmuseum.ca 111 Bayfield St, Meaford | 519-538-5974 Open Mon. to Sat.

The Builder Jerry Patten words and photos :: David Loopstra When Jerry Patten talks about the local charity he quietly sponsors, his face lights up. “There are so many kids who never get the chance to ski,” he says. “This gives them a chance. You literally watch the spark grow.” The charity he’s referring to is called Second Tracks, which, in its second year of operation, provides local kids skiing opportunities—lift tickets, equipment, lessons, a meal and roundtrip transportation from the Collingwood YMCA—all at no cost to participants. We all know how skiing changes lives. For Patten, owner of the multi-generational local contracting firm L. Patten & Sons, skiing and sports are the source of much happiness—and that’s something he loves sharing. He’s a true mountain lifer. On this day, he’s chatting with an ML writer in his shop, which houses a ski-tuning bench, racks of helmets for the various sports he loves, mountain bikes, dirt bikes in various states of repair, tournament water skis and snowmobiles (some his, some stored for buddies), including a vintage 1975 Arctic Cat El Tigre that he particularly loves. “Many of my friendships revolve around sports,” he says and rattles off a list that results in the following paragraphs. First, there’s skiing—at 58, he still races in the house league at Craigleith Ski Club and Interclub with all the other local clubs on the escarpment. (“The faster it is, the better I do,” he says with disarming honesty.) Then there’s motocross. He competes in Chatsworth and rebuilds his own bikes. Then there’s tournament water skiing—Google it: very cool; lots of g-force. Patten talks about mountain biking (“I’ve had enough concussions to know when I’ve had one,” he says). He talks snowmobiling (“right out back, man!”). He talks CrossFit. And finally, he talks about taking huge air on dirt bikes. But not as big as he used to go, because, “I used to have big balls, but now I have medium-sized balls.” And if that statement isn’t enough for an irresistible laugh and a good time in the heated shop of a local legend and community leader, I don’t know what is. Most of all, Jerry Patten talks about his wife Katie, their combined family, and his daughters, three of them, who grew up with Jerry’s adrenaline-fuelled lifestyle and now, “Can all drive tractors, skid steers and bulldozers,” he says proudly. In the Blue Mountains, plenty of people know Jerry Patten the builder. But just as many know him as the guy carving dawn turns, tuning a buddy’s sled, encouraging a kid and reminding everyone around him that a life lived outdoors is a life well spent.

Jerry's shop houses a ski-tuning bench, racks of helmets for the various sports he loves, mountain bikes, dirt bikes in various states of repair, tournament water skis and snowmobiles.

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CLARKSBURG GROCERY, COFFEE AND LUNCH STOP New Patients Welcome

COME VISIT US AT:

188 MARSH STREET, CLARKSBURG

186 Erie St Suite 202, Collingwood Phone: (705) 445-2470 eriestreetdental.com

Mountain Life presents the

PURSUITS FILM FEST 8

at Meaford Hall Friday, April 10, 2026 This year’s installment promises to be a good one. With outdoor-focused movies, guest speakers and a silent auction, the event is always a good time with some of the coolest locals around. Snacks and beverages keep the conversation flowing before the show, and donated items for the silent auction include local experiences and wicked outdoor gear. With acclaimed international films on slate, this is an inspiring evening of outdoor adventure not to be missed. Grab your tickets at

meafordhall.ca

before they sell out

Doors open and Silent Auction at 6 pm Showtime 7 pm

The Mason (and Reggae ) Mark MacLeod words :: ML Staff Down in Costa Rica, where he owns a jungle villa, Mark MacLeod could very well be the mayor of the Rasta-Caribe town Puerto Viejo. Follow him around and try to get from one end of town to the other in a hurry. It’s impossible. `“Hey Mark!” call out shopkeepers and dreadlocked reggae surfers. “Hey my brotha!” come shouts from road workers and restaurateurs. MacLeod stops to talk to all of them in what he calls, “Spanglish,” a hilarious mix of English and Español. He’s the most popular guy in town and it’s easy to see why. With a huge smile, tattooed arms, a heart the size of the Caribbean Sea, a beautiful family of three kids and an endless abundance of generosity, MacLeod should be the mayor of every town. Back home in Southern Georgian Bay, MacLeod is received with the same love—and dishes out just as much. He owns MBM Stoneworks and has built the business around living the ultimate mountain life, Ontario style: family, friends, a loyal and skilled group of employees and amazing clients and general contractors for whom he builds masterpieces. At 55, the stonemason has hands shaped by decades of chiseling granite, limestone and fieldstone into walls, fireplaces and pillars that outlast trends. Builders seek him out for his easy, instinctive expertise, and homeowners trust him because he and his crew work like each project has their names etched in it. And in a way, it does. Around Georgian Bay, you can spot an MBM wall or fireplace by the confidence of the stone—nature guided, human refined. In Puerto Viejo, MacLeod is also known as DJ Nonprofit— spinning the coolest reggae tunes that haven’t graced your playlists (but you wish they had). He’s the sun-browned reggae selector who steps behind the beach-club booth just as the sun melts into the sea. His wife, Crystal, and their kids—Aja, Ryder and Zaiah—dance barefoot in the sand as he blends old-school roots with modern Caribbean rhythms. The family has Costa Rican residency, and locals hug them like they’ve lived there for generations. In Canada, he spends long days between job sites, overseeing as his team builds arches that feel lifted from Europe and fire pits that anchor cottage gatherings. In Costa Rica, the work shifts inward. He slows down, surfs with his kids, bikes through jungle paths and spins reggae until strangers become friends. The Rasta vibe, the Caribbean heartbeat—both are reminders of how he wants to move through the world. What makes MacLeod remarkable isn’t the dual life itself, but how seamlessly he inhabits both sides. He’s a businessman who signs contracts with handshakes in steel-toed boots, a family man who plans his downtime around his kids’ joy and a genuinely good guy living his truest mountain life, thankful for the Southern Georgian Bay community that makes it all possible. TOP The Thornbury-born sun-bronzed reggae selector of Puerto Viejo. MIDDLE Mark's jeep on a surf day. BOTTOM Mark in front of one of his stone creations that outlasts trends. SUPPLIED BY MARK MACLEOD

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GALLERY

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Sleeping Thunderers* Photography :: Scott Parent Athlete :: Andrew Ryzebol Scott: “Last season was my initiation into freediving sub-freeze under the tutelage of Andrew. I captured this image during a late-season exploration across thin, shifty aquaterrain with some swim transitions to position ourselves above the Frolic Reef, Lake Huron. We scouted this canopy of bummock formations with a few dives before framing up this shot.” Andrew: “Ice had ceded from our favourite locations over Georgian Bay, which normally signals the endof-season for opportunities to safely freedive under the ice around the Peninsula. Seeking to extend our season, we tiptoed farther offshore across delicate ice to a reef on the Huron side retaining these massive celestial ice formations.”

*Thunderers are the spirits who bring thunder and announce the arrival of spring. This mission was on the cusp of that time of year, and to me, from the bottom of the lake, the ice formation looked like dormant Thunderers soon to wake up. –Scott Parent

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Ron Batuigas takes a dip at -17C in Oak Lake, Ontario. Check out the story about the Unbounded Cold Camp on p.20.

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SCOTT PARENT

Kyle Easby hucking off the Niagara Escarpment.

COLIN FIELD

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Snowed in at Highlands Nordic during the epic winter of 2025.

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DEAN HELIOTIS

Race Day at Craigleith Ski Club. Check the story about local race days on p. 32.

COLIN FIELD

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APRÈS

Coach Turbo Still Charging at 70 words :: Colin Field

If you’ve tried to keep up to a Masters training group or wandered into a late-night tuning clinic, there’s a good chance you’ve already met Coach Turbo. You might not know his real name. “In second-year university, I was managing a pub, going to school, travelling all over with the ski team,” Peter Hibbard explains when I ask about his nickname. “People said, ‘the guy’s a Turbo.’ There are people to this day who don’t know my real name.” Since then, he’s been Coach Turbo to pretty much everyone: ski racers, Georgian College students, Masters racers, kids at Beaver Valley and The Peaks, adults learning to tune skis and half the tennis and soccer players between Thornbury and Meaford. He’s 70 “but I feel like I’m 20,” he says, baffled that anyone would ask about retirement. ML recently caught up with Turbo for après at Endswell Beer in Collingwood.

ML: You always seem fired up. What’s the secret? CT: When I’m not having fun, I’ll retire, but I love what I’m doing. My whole philosophy in life is to make it fun for others. If I’m excited, everyone around me is excited, so I have a very positive attitude. I keep it upbeat. ML: You and your wife have done a ton for local sport. Why is that important to you? CT: For years my wife ran a soccer program in Thornbury for the kids. I was the head coach and the head referee. So working with the community and the kids, coaching them and training the coaches was a big part of what we do. We were involved with Collingwood Optimist Youth Soccer for years. We would make it so if a kid couldn’t afford it, we would pay for it, thanks to the help of Jumpstart and Canadian Tire. It was important for us to make it accessible so that every kid could play. ML: You’re also the tuning guy. What do you love about teaching people to tune their skis? CT: I’ve always loved tuning and sharing it with 114

people. I do tuning seminars. I set it up with a retailer and then go and either do it at a retailer or I’ll do it at a brewery and bring people in. I show people how to tune their skis and I show them the importance of waxing because your base is plastic and it dries out. At home in Meaford we have a beautiful shed out back and that’s my tuning shed. I put a heater in there and I go in and turn off the world. I bring my speaker, listen to Neil Young and just tune.

ML: You’ve lived in a lot of places. Why Meaford? CT: We bought a house in Thornbury in ‘99 and moved up fulltime in June 2000. Then somebody came up to us and wanted our house so bad and literally put an awful lot of money on our dining room table. My wife found a beautiful place in Meaford, and we’ve been there four-and-a-half years now and we love it. We walk everywhere in Meaford. We’ve got one of the best hiking trails on the planet in Trout Hollow. And we can launch our kayaks five minutes from our house. My wife and I are big kayakers. ML: What do you want people to know about you? CT: I love life. I love people. I’m happily married for 35 years to my lovely wife Mary Lou. We’ve got three wonderful kids in their thirties. We’re very close. TOP LEFT Après with Coach Turbo at Endswell Beer in Collingwoood. BELOW Always keeping 'em sharp and tuned. COLIN FIELD

Located in the Skiis & Biikes Collingwood basement.

Your skis will hold an edge like never before, they won’t catch or hook and will stay sharper longer. The Montana Crystal Magic ski tuning robot from Switzerland is the first of its kind in Canada, is the most advanced tuning machine in the world and is only available at Skiis & Biikes. Celebrating 25 Years in Collingwood 445 First St. Collingwood (beside the Beer Store) 705-445-9777 skiisandbiikes.com Toronto | Collingwood | Mississauga 100% independent. 100% Canadian.

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