We'll be visiting Toronto the week of April 7 thru the 14th and would like to take my kids to see snow for the first time and possibly ski. Does anybody know of an open ski resort that is near Toronto or up to 2 hours away from it at that time of the year?<BR><BR>Diana<BR>

Diana, I think you may find the tulips and daffodils are beginning to pop out of the ground in Toronto at that time. While snow MIGHT come in April, it's becoming kind of a fluke by then. T.O. is further south than you may think -- south compared to, say, Minneapolis (and they probably won't have anything but perhaps some remnant snow left in continuously shaded pockets by then either). I'll leave it to locals to let us know if there is a north-facing hill with plenty of snow-making equipment that happens to remain open that late, but I'm guessing that is what it would take. It just isn't very wintry in Toronto by that time of the year.

Blue Mountain is the best skiing within a two-hour radius - actually, it's almost exactly a two-hour drive. They consider their "prime season" to end March 18th, though they continue to sell "spring skiing" tickets at a reduced price, as long as there's something to ski on. I just checked their snow report, and it looks like about half their runs are still open now (though there's certainly no snow on the ground here in Toronto). While mid-April skiing in Ontario is more-or-less unheard of, it IS only one to two weeks away, so you have a chance. You should check the snow report closer to your time of departure, to see if your plans will be possible:<BR><BR>http://204.101.160.225/bluemountain/conditions.cfm<BR><BR>The resort's web site, including ticket prices and driving directions, is at:<BR><BR>http://www.bluemountain.ca/<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!

It's been a cold spring, and there's still some snow north of Toronto, as you've learned. One problem is that some of the resorts are closed, atl east during the week.<BR><BR>Phone before you head out of the city.<BR><BR>Tell us if you want hints for things for kids to do. Tell us how old, what they're interested in. This is a good city for kids to visit.<BR><BR>BAK

I live about an hour and 15 min. north west of Toronto airport and we still have plenty of snow. It was 42F today, but still below freezing at night. I probably have 2 feet of the white stuff left in the front yard and a little more than that out back. As far as I know, Blue Mountain is still open. Also check out Talisman in flesherton Ontario and Hockley Valley near Orangeville. Mount St. Louis-Moonstone off the 400 North of Toronto is also probably open. that also would be 2 hours. If you want me to call them, just e-mail me and I will. They are all local calls from my area..Dona

There is no substitute for a local "ground zero report". (And by the way, did I mention that Canadians in general are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet?) Back to the top we go!