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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 $46 non-resident fee is applied to all Season Snow Passes.
A $12 replacement fee is charged for lost passes.
Find out How to Register for Recreation Programs.
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.
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.
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.
For each program there are usually two options:
If there is no With Rental code associated with a program, then no equipment is provided.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
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 |