My first time snowboarding at Blue Mountain in 2023

I’ve always wanted to go snowboarding. Watching the reality show Fourtry and seeing them carve through the snow made me want to experience it for myself. Not only do snowboarding outfits look effortlessly cool, but the idea of gliding down a snowy hill, almost like surfing, seemed thrilling. I’d heard that learning to snowboard meant falling—a lot. And that meant bruises. But I was ready for the challenge of my first time snowboarding at Blue Mountain.

Heading to Blue Mountain

On a crisp Thursday morning, just before the Family Day long weekend, my boyfriend and I packed up and drove two hours north from Toronto to Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario. We left at 6:30 a.m. to beat traffic and arrived just before 9 a.m. Finding parking wasn’t too difficult, though we noticed the lot filling up fast. One thing that stood out? Blue Mountain had dedicated Subaru parking spots, which we found amusing.

Fuelling up before my first time snowboarding at Blue Mountain

The first stop was registration, where I picked up my learning package.

Then, we headed to Sunset Grill for a classic breakfast—pancakes, eggs, and bacon—to fuel up for a day in the snow.

After breakfast, we actually considered going skating, but unfortunately, the rink was closed. Instead, we decided to try the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster. It was an okay experience—fun but also a little terrifying at certain parts.

Later, we made our way to the rental shop to pick up my snowboard and boots before heading to the bunny hill.

I had purchased a beginner’s package, expecting a group lesson, but it turned out to be a self-guided learning zone with instructional signs.

That was a bit disappointing, but my boyfriend stepped in as my instructor. He did an amazing job teaching me the basics, helping me find my balance and slowly make my way down the hill.

Conquering the bunny hill at Blue Mountain

At first, standing on the board felt awkward. But after a few attempts (and a lot of falling), I managed to stay up long enough to ride down the bunny hill several times. Feeling confident, I was ready to try something bigger.

The ski lift was an adventure in itself. Riding up was easy, but getting off? A disaster. I kept falling every single time. No matter how many tips my boyfriend gave me, I couldn’t master the smooth exit onto the hill.

The thrill (and pain) of my first time snowboarding at Blue Mountain

Going down a bigger hill for the first time was both exhilarating and terrifying. I fell—hard. At one point, I scraped my hand on the ice (rookie mistake: I wasn’t wearing gloves). It stung, but I wasn’t ready to give up. After hours of practice, I was finally getting the hang of it. My turns became smoother, my speed picked up, and I felt the rush of real snowboarding.

Post-snowboarding eats: poutine & sweet drinks

After a long day on the slopes, we grabbed dinner to go—Mile High poutine with chicken nuggets. Maybe it was the hunger, or maybe it was just that good, but every bite was perfect. We also treated ourselves to a rich, red velvet-flavoured hot drink from one of the cafés. Sweet, warm, and exactly what I needed for a day in the cold.

Will I go snowboarding at Blue Mountain again?

It’s been two years since my first time snowboarding at Blue Mountain, and I’m itching to go back. Will I still remember what I learned? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, I’ll be back on the slopes soon, and I’ll be sure to report back.

Do you snowboard? Let’s chat!

Do you snowboard? Are you a beginner or a seasoned pro? Do you rent or own your gear? I’d love to hear about your favourite places to ski or snowboard. Let me know in the comments below!