Nestled along the stunning Niagara Escarpment that stretches from the shores of Georgian Bay lies a serene enclave of rolling hills and pristine lakes basking in the subtle shadow of the Blue Mountains. A Bladee track plays loudly in the background, a fire crackles, hands meticulously shuffle a deck of cards, beers are cracked open; glasses emptied, glasses filled. When you go skiing in Ontario, the skiing is only twenty percent.
With a lackluster winter and an upcoming snowstorm, it was the perfect time for a ski trip, and what better place to hit the slopes than a few hours north of us. However, we couldn’t escape those classic east coast skiing cliches and were met with icy conditions and low visibility.
After Matt picked up Cody and me, we set out on our journey, the snow began to fall gently, blanketing the landscape in a soft, white layer. The roads were wet and full of slush, and the windshield wipers worked tirelessly to clear the accumulating snow.
As we made our way through the storm, the scenery around us transformed into a winter wonderland. The snow-laden trees and houses looked like something out of a postcard, and any pauses in conversation were broken by the gentle hum of the engine and the occasional gust of wind.
Eager to explore the winter wonderland around us, we emerged from the storm and were greeted by the glow of the blue neon sign of Hearts. Situated at the core of Grey County, the charming eatery was a welcome respite to relax and orientate ourselves after the ride. It was like walking into a warm embrace, the atmosphere envelopes you, the soft lighting, comfortable seating, and lively music all working together to create a sense of comfort and relaxation.
The gentle murmur of conversation and the clinking of cutlery combine to create a soothing symphony of sound, the perfect background to a delicious meal. The decor is carefully chosen, with warm colors, soft textures, and thoughtful details all contributing to the overall feeling of coziness.
The menu is carefully crafted to provide comfort food that is both nourishing and delicious, featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The aromas emanating from the kitchen are mouth-watering, and our anticipation grows with each passing moment.
We shared many appetizers consisting of pate and duck fat smeared bread, but the real star of the show was the Cote de Boeuf, the ultimate comfort food.
As the dinner concluded, sitting back enjoying a classic old-fashioned, I realized that this was one of those times were the food was more than just a meal. It was truly an experience, one that had left me feeling nourished in both body and soul. The cozy ambiance of the restaurant created a space for us to relax, unwind, catch up, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and good company.
Leaving Hearts, we made our way down the winding road toward Matt’s chalet, the headlights casting a warm glow on the icy path. The brief drive took us deeper into the forest, where the towering trees were covered in a fluffy layer of snow that enveloped us in darkness as the night carried on.
Upon reaching the chalet, we stepped out of the car and felt the cold air nip at our noses and cheeks, a constant reminder that winter had finally arrived. Fumbling with our bags, we were eager to get inside and carry on the energy from our dinner at Hearts.
As we settled into the chalet, it welcomed us like an old friend. Cody stoked the fire, and I poured everyone a glass of absinthe, and we all let out a collective sigh of contentment.
As the night wore on, we gathered around a table, pulled out a deck of cards and began playing a heated game of president. The fire cast flickering shadows across our faces as we bantered and joked, the sound of our laughter mingling with the howling wind outside. Each day in the Blue Mountains began and ended around this table.
The next morning, I woke up in the fog of an almost sleepless night. I grasped for my glasses on the nightstand and vaguely recalled the effort that had been required to mount my bed as it spun around the room just hours before. I put my feet on steady ground, I pulled on wool baselayers, a fleece, ski pants, and a down jacket. When I ambled over to the door and opened it, the air, the snow, and the light collaborated to revive all of my senses at once.
The first day of skiing had arrived and we were all in high spirits, looking forward to the next three days of adventure. We quickly packed up and drove over to the resort and as we stepped out of the car the snow crunching beneath our boots only added to the excitement.
Blue Mountain greeted us with a picturesque view of the ski runs winding down the mountain, and the scent of fresh pine filled the air. The cold air stung my face as we rode the ski lift up to the peak, the snow sparkling like diamonds in the little patches of sunlight.
At the peak, we paused to take in the panoramic view. On a clear day, you could see for miles, taking in the rolling hills, frozen lakes, and dense forests of the surrounding countryside.
As we glided down the runs, I felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration that I hadn’t experienced in months. The snow-covered trees towered above us, and the vast stretches of white powder and ice extended as far as the eye could see were almost awe-inspiring.
Despite the icy conditions and low visibility, we had a blast on the slopes, the thrill of skiing in these conditions was unforgettable, and we all agreed that it was an experience to remember.
As the sun set and we made our way back to our chalet, we were exhausted but exhilarated, eager to see what the next few days had in store for us.
On the third day of our trip when we finished skiing, Jacob arrived at the chalet, and we were thrilled to have another member of JTTB join us on this adventure. We spent the afternoon nestled in our sanctuary in the mountains, once again gathered around the roaring fire, sipping our drinks of choice, and catching up with Jacob by sharing stories of our trip thus far. It was another moment of pure contentment, where everything felt just right in the world. It was the kind of moment where you feel truly grateful for the friends you have and the memories you share.
But the day was far from over. With renewed energy and a sense of excitement, we decided to venture back out to Hearts, which Cody had been raving about since we last visited. There, we indulged in delicious smash burgers smothered in truffle aioli, an indulgent treat that left our taste buds buzzing with delight.
Back at the chalet, we continued our night of revelry with rounds of Mario Golf, Mario Party, and more President. We laughed until our sides hurt, created temporary alliances & enemies, and made memories that would last a lifetime.
The following day I woke in another champagne, beer, absinthe, mezcal-induced fog, but the skies were clear, and that mattered more. This was our last day and we finally had good conditions, an air of expectancy pervaded the table during breakfast until the clatter of skis being packed and coats being zipped up swept it away.
Our final drive up to the mountain dawned with a sense of bittersweet anticipation. We savored every run, every moment of camaraderie, knowing that our time together was drawing to a close.
After our best day of skiing by far, we packed up our belongings and said goodbye to the chalet. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia creeping in. I knew that this trip, with its cozy nights around the fire and exhilarating days on the mountain, would be etched in my memory forever. But as we loaded up our gear and said our goodbyes, I felt a sense of hope and anticipation for the next adventure that awaited us.
Miguel Mabalay 