Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding Centres
The City has ski and snowboard centers at Centennial Park and Earl Bales Park. The ski season is scheduled to begin January 1 and ends mid-March, but is weather and snowfall dependent.
Registered Programs
Ski and snowboard lessons are offered at both facilities, with Earl Bales also offering private lessons. Registration for private lessons is early September. Learn how to register for recreation programs.
Skiing
Snowboard
Daily Snow Pass
Enjoy the centre from open to close on the day purchased. Daily Snow Pass sales end one hour before close.
| Duration | 18 years and under | 60 years+ | 19 years+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | $16.00 | $16.00 | $19.50 |
| 2 hours | $19.50 | $19.50 | $25.00 |
| 3 hours | $25.00 | $25.00 | $28.50 |
| 4 hours | $28.50 | $28.50 | $33.00 |
| All Day | $37.50 | $37.50 | $37.50 |
Earl Bales Rope Tow
- $12/person per day
- All-day access to the Rope Tow
- Earl Bales only
This pass does not include the use of lifts. A Snow Pass (Daily or Season) is also needed for each person using the Rope Tow, including guardians with children. This area and pass are subject to snow conditions.
Centennial Learning Area Pass
- $12/person per day
- All-day access to the Learning Area
- Centennial only
This pass does not include the use of lifts. A Snow Pass (Daily or Season) is also needed for each person using the Rope Tow, including guardians with children. The Learning area will be identified by staff at the time of purchase. This area depends on snow conditions.
Season Snow Pass
These are available beginning December and can be purchased with American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Debit, Cash or Cheque. The Season Pass provides access to all hours of lift operation and is valid at both Ski and Snowboard Centres.
| Age Group | Full Season | Day Pass – Earl Bales Monday to Friday |
Night Pass Monday to Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 years and under | $409.50 | $199.00 | $199.00 |
| 19 years+ | $472.50 | $254.00 | $254.00 |
| 60 years+ | $236.00 | $127.00 | $127.00 |
A $45 non-resident fee is applied to all Season Snow Passes.
Day Season Pass
- Earl Bales only
- Access to lifts from open to 4 p.m.
- Monday to Friday
- Does not include Rope Tow
Night Season Pass
- Centennial: access to lifts from 4 p.m. to close
- Earl Bales: access to lifts from 3:30 p.m. to close
- Monday to Sunday
- Does not include Rope Tow or Learning Area
Family Pass
- $807/family
- Allows access to lifts from open to close
- Does not include Rope Tow or Learning Area
Best Value
- $274/person
- Allows access to lifts from open to close
- For participants registered in a four-week or eight-week program
- Does not include Rope Tow or Learning Area
Lost Snow Passes
A $12 replacement fee is charged for lost passes.
Rules and Waiver Information
- Skiers and snowboarders of any age must have a valid Snow Pass and are required to read and understand the waiver/release
- Participants under 18 years of age must have the release of liability waiver signed by a parent/guardian
- Photos will be taken on-site
- Walking on the slopes is prohibited
Find out How to Register for Recreation Programs.
- All eight-week programs are 50 minutes long with an extra 10 minutes for set-up, attendance and lesson wrap up
- Parents and caregivers must stay onsite with their children and pick them up after the lesson
- There are no classes on Family Day
- If you want to practice before or after your lesson, you must purchase additional time for lifts or equipment
Inclement Weather
Programs will run in heavy snow, rain, sleet, wind and days full of sunshine. In very severe weather conditions the centres may close and lessons postponed. The postponed lessons will be added at the end of the scheduled period of lessons.
Late Registration and Attendance
For both eight-week programs and three/ four-day programs, you can register up until the second class.
You can miss the first class but if you miss the second class, you must show you have the appropriate ski/snowboard ability to rejoin. This is to make sure of a steady and fair learning pace for all participants. There are no make-up classes for lessons missed for personal reasons but you can practice or schedule a private lesson at your own cost to keep up with your group.
Transfer or Withdraw
A $12 administrative fee, per person and per program, will apply for all transfers and/or withdrawals.
Transfers are allowed before the third class/day except for certification programs or as determined by staff.
Refunds or credits will only be considered if you submit your withdrawal before the program starts. Withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing, dated and delivered in person to the respective Ski and Snowboard Centre. Withdrawals will be prorated based on the date of withdrawal, not based on attendance in the program.
Specific Program Information
For each program there are usually two options:
- No Rental includes the lesson and lift access only
- With Rental includes the lesson, lift access and a full set of equipment
If there is no With Rental code associated with a program, then no equipment is provided.
Introduction to Ski and Snowboarding Lessons
This introductory a one-time, two-hour lesson is intended for first-time students. It starts with our rope tow-beginner terrain, snowboards will start on the main hill.
Skiers will learn the basics of putting on equipment, walking around with equipment, climbing, and stopping and turning in a wedge.
Snowboarders will learn the basics of putting on equipment and moving around, use of the lifts and controlling speed on both the toe and heel edge.
Packages include a lift ticket and rental equipment – including a helmet.
Adapted Ski and Snowboard Programs
The City offers downhill adapted and inclusive recreational ski and snowboard programs. By adapting the program, children and youth with disabilities can participate in skiing. Visit Accessible Recreation to find out how to register in an Adapted program.
For adapted ski and snowboard programs that require specialized equipment, please contact OntarioTrack 3 Association.
Assistance Required for Ski/Snowboard Programs
Assistance is for children/youth who are capable of participating in a ski or snowboard class of choice but may require additional staff support. Once registered please call 416-395-7931 (with registration information) to determine the specific level of support required.
- Additional Staff support in programs is dependent upon instructor availability
- Additional Staff support is not available during Holiday programs or March Break Camps
Private Lessons
Lessons below are booked for one person only. If you would like a semi-private lesson (participants must be similar age and the same ability level), please contact the facility.
- One-Hour Lesson
- Each Additional Skier/Snowboarder
- Rental Equipment for Private Lessons
Ski and Snowboard Leadership Programs
Instructor Prep Course
This course is open to anyone wishing to become a ski/snowboard instructor or race coach who is a strong intermediate skier or snowboarder. This course is intended to provide the registrants with the necessary background to pass the CSIA, CASI or CSCF level one exams. Program components are:
- Teaching method
- Skiing/snowboarding ability
After successful completion of this course, you may qualify to work at the Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre as an Assistant Instructor based on an interview.
Note: To participate, you should be a strong intermediate skier (Advanced) or snowboarder (Advanced).
A valid Snow Pass is required to access ski or snowboard equipment.
| Equipment | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours | 4 hours | All day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Ski Set (skis, boots, helmet, poles) |
$18.50 | $21.00 | $23.00 | $27.00 | $34.00 |
| Skis only | $16.00 | $18.50 | $21.00 | $25.00 | $27.00 |
| Poles Only | $13.50 | $13.50 | $13.50 | $13.50 | $13.50 |
| Boots only | $13.50 | $15.00 | $17.50 | $19.50 | $23.00 |
| Full Snowboard Set (board, boots, helmet) |
$18.50 | $21.00 | $23.00 | $27.00 | $34.00 |
| Snowboard only | $16.00 | $18.50 | $21.00 | $25.00 | $27.00 |
| Helmet only (limited availability) |
$6.00 | $6.00 | $6.00 | $6.00 | $6.00 |
- Parent/guardian must rent on behalf of users under 18 years of age and must read, understand and sign a Release of Liability Waiver.
- Rental equipment is available during regular business hours, weekends and holidays.
- Equipment is available as first come, first served. Weekends are busy, there may be a waiting period until equipment becomes available.
- A $300 cash or credit card security deposit is required per set of ski or snowboard equipment. Card owner’s signature is necessary.
- A $50 cash or credit card security deposit is required for helmet only.
- Interac preauthorizations are not available.
- One piece of valid government-issued photo identification is required to rent equipment.