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Family Jewels - East
Loch Lomond, Ontario
By Peter Moynes
This past winter, from an airplane 7,000 feet above the shores of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay didn't look much different from when I lived there some 20 years earlier. In the afternoon light, Mount McKay still cast a shadow over parts of the city; the ski runs of Loch Lomond still clung like long, white fingers to the face of the mountainside. From the plane's vantage point, it looked as though Thunder Bay might still be a hub of alpine skiing adventure in the province of Ontario - then we landed.
Something seemed strange when I entered the airport. Not one ski bag came off the baggage carousel. Outside the airport, an old friend of mine awaited with chilled Superior lagers.
"This town is dying, dude," he said. "The mills are closing, the population is aging, and there just aren't enough skiers around anymore. Over the last few years, the temps have been warm as well, so the snowmaking has been spotty. Remember when we used to stand at the bottom of the chair at McKay, all -30°C and shit, waiting for the liftie to come back from the lodge after a smoke break?"
I remembered it well. Back in '84 we were both season's pass holders at Mount McKay, a family jewel encrusted on top of the Chippewa Indian Reserve consisting of one rickety double chair and a rope tow. The resort ceased operation in 1989, but a number of ski hills still operated in the area, so skiers moved on to other hills like Loch Lomond, Mount Baldy and Candy Mountain.
Like so many resource-based towns across our country, Thunder Bay's economy has slouched over the last decade, and many of TB's ski areas have returned to pasture. The one ski hill that has risen above the competition and economic hard times is Loch Lomond.
For over 40 years Loch Lomond has provided lift access to some of the best skiing and highest vertical in the province. Located 10 minutes from Thunder Bay off Highway 61, Loch Lomond is perfect for the entire family. Little Suzy can rip, Charlie can plow, and Mom and Dad can join the locals guzzling Superior lager from a beer ball.
With an average of 40 centimetres of fluff annually, Loch must employ the latest technology in snowmaking and is capable of pumping more than 1,200 gallons of water a minute, tossing it to the skies like an offering and receiving ample amounts of snow in return.
Two double chairs and one quad are capable of transporting 4,600 people per hour up 750 feet of vertical to Loch's summit. Don't go searching for "powder stashes" in the "backcountry" around these parts, though; the runs are where the snow is. Try Free Fall if you're looking to experience the hill's best run and feel the need to be tested. If the terrain park is your thing, Loch Lomond doesn't falter and offers a halfpipe as well (take note, western ski areas). You can ski under the lights Thursday to Saturday, and the cafeteria-bar is open during operating hours if you need to warm up or get drunk. Be sure to try the famous Loch Ness burger.
With regular daily flights from most major Canadian centres to Thunder Bay, Loch Lomond is easily accessible to those looking for a unique Ontario ski experience.
Ski-and-stay packages are available at many of the hotels in town and surrounding areas. Check visitthunderbay.com. This site will also help you with any side trips or activities you might want to take in while in the area.
Next time you're planning an Ontario ski vacation, forget the condo-draped "resorts" sprinkled throughout the rest of the province and get real. Loch Lomond isn't a real-estate development packaged as a ski resort; it's a ski hill for skiers‚-always has been and, hopefully, always will be.
DNA: Loch Lomond, ON
Elevation: 441 m
Vertical: 228 m
Terrain: 30% beginner, 35% intermediate, 35% advanced
Snowfall: Natural and man-made
Lifts: One quad, two double chairs
Adult day ticket: $39
Season: December to March
Info: lochlomond.ca
Photo: At least the lager is Superior. Loch Lomond photo
