Calabogie Peaks is a
ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. In Europe, most ski resorts are towns or villages in or adjacent to a ski area–a mountainous area with pistes (ski trails) and a ski lift system. In North Am ...
in the municipality of
Greater Madawaska,
Renfrew County
Renfrew County is a county and census division in the Canadian province of Ontario. It straddles the west bank of the Ottawa River. There are 17 municipalities in the county. Its county seat is Pembroke, which is geographically within the county ...
in
Eastern Ontario
Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...
, Canada. It is located west of
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
, and was founded in . Although the resort is named after the nearby community of Calabogie and
Calabogie Lake, the mountain is called Dicksons Mountain.
Calabogie Peaks Resort offers the highest vertical drop among public ski hills in Ontario, . In addition to the beginner hill, Calabogie offers the longest beginner trail in Ontario, as well as plenty of intermediate and expert runs.
Resort facilities
The resort features 2
chairlifts
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel wire rope loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers. They are the primary on-hill tr ...
and 1
carpet lift.
As of 2022, there were 24 trails recorded,
all of which are historically named after Calabogie.
The resort consists of 3 levels of difficulty for runs: beginner, intermediate and expert. In 2016, it was documented the mountain consisted of 30% beginner runs, 45% intermediate runs, and 25% expert runs.
The longest run as of 2016 was recorded to be 2.1 km long.
In 2016, the Top Hut was introduced to provide a shelter for guests at the top of the mountain. In the winter, the Top Hut provides guest with warmth from a wood stove, while in the summer the Top Hut provides guests with shelter from the sun.
Seasonal activities
Calabogie Peaks offers year-round activities to bring in tourists from all areas.
Summer activities at the Peaks include bike trails, hiking trails, the beach front, boat rentals, the Boathouse Bar & Grill, a 9-hole golf course, chair-lift rides up the mountain on October weekends for fall colours, as well as annual festivals. During the summer, the Calabogie Peaks hosts the Blues & Ribs Fest as well as the Mountain Man Music Festival. Both events occur within the July and August months. In the past, the Calabogie Peaks also hosted the Wake Surf nationals.
Winter activities at the Peaks include
downhill skiing
Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed-heel bindings, unlike other types of skiing ( cross-country, Telemark, or ski jumping), which use skis with free-heel bindings. Whether ...
or
snowboarding
Snowboarding is a recreational and competitive activity that involves descending a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard that is almost always attached to a rider's feet. It features in the Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralym ...
the mountain,
cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a m ...
,
ice skating
Ice skating is the Human-powered transport, self-propulsion and gliding of a person across an ice surface, using metal-bladed ice skates. People skate for various reasons, including recreation (fun), exercise, competitive sports, and commuting. ...
,
ice fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice fishers may fish in the open or in heated enclosures, some with bunks and amenities.
Shelters
L ...
,
snowmobiling
A snowmobile, also known as a snowmachine (chiefly Alaskan), motor sled (chiefly Canadian), motor sledge, skimobile, snow scooter, or simply a sled is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow.
Their engines normally ...
and
snowshoeing
Snowshoes are specialized outdoor gear for walking over snow. Their large footprint spreads the user's weight out and allows them to travel largely on top of rather than through snow. Adjustable bindings attach them to appropriate winter footw ...
.
Accommodations
Calabogie Peaks offers tourists 2 options for onsite lodging: guests can stay at the Calabogie Peaks Hotel or stay in the Mountain Lodges. The Dickson Manor hotel includes an outdoor hot-tub, indoor swimming pool, fitness room, complimentary parking, wireless internet, tennis courts and Canthooks, a casual fine dining restaurant.
History
Facilities for skiing were first established on the mountain in 1969.
The mountain was originally opened with
T-bars to get to the mountain top. In 1976, Calabogie Peaks opened its first
chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel wire rope loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers. They are the primary on-hill tran ...
.
Growth at Calabogie Peaks occurred in 1986 when the Murphy family and other investors expanded the hill.
The accommodations as well as the lodge were added with the help of Murphy and the investors. The current beach area was originally primarily a
wetland
A wetland is a distinct semi-aquatic ecosystem whose groundcovers are flooded or saturated in water, either permanently, for years or decades, or only seasonally. Flooding results in oxygen-poor ( anoxic) processes taking place, especially ...
but in 1986 a beachfront was added along with a 9-hole golf course to reinvent the business and turn it into a 4-season resort.
Construction occurred in the years of 2000 and 2004 to introduce a larger chairlift and the Calabogie Peaks Hotel, a boutique hotel.
In 2009-2011, a new snowmaking system was installed and Calabogie Peaks grew rapidly through restructured and redefined mountain trails.
Currently, the ownership of Calabogie Peaks is still held within the bloodline of Murphy's family, with Paul Murphy being the current owner.
Wedding and conference
Calabogie Peaks offers a venue for business meetings and caters to weddings year round inside the resort as well as outside. Weddings can take place inside the reception halls, along the beachfront or at the base of the hill.
Snow school
Ski programs are offered to all ages. Beginning with the Skiwee Program guests are invited to take lessons through the Calabogie Peaks. The options vary, guests are invited to take group lessons or private lessons at their own choice Also offered at the resort are the certification courses, Canadian Ski Instructors Association ("CSIA"), the
Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors ("CASI"), and the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation ("CSCF").
Surrounding area
Calabogie Peaks is located within a small town called Calabogie in the township of
Greater Madawaska.
Calabogie is known for its lake that borders the communities of Calabogie, Grassy Bay and Barryvale.
Calabogie is primarily a cottage town, visited most frequently in the months of the summer. Throughout the summer, Calabogie brings in tourists for its golf courses, the Calabogie Highlands 18-hole course along
Calabogie Lake as well as the 9-hole golf course offered at Calabogie Peaks.
Calabogie Motorsports Park is open during the spring-fall months and is known as the longest race track within Canada, recognized as a world-class facility, the Park offers a 3.14 mile track.
Another outdoor attraction within Calabogie involves the existing trails behind the ski hill, trails such as Eagles Nest, Skyline trail and Manitou trail are open year-round.
Calabogie has a small selection of family owned restaurants and two general stores for pit stops and gas fill ups.
In 2014, the Calabogie Brewing Company opened its doors as the first
micro brewery within Greater Madawaska.
Real estate
There are premium properties sold down the road from the Calabogie Peaks through Barrett Chute properties. Property pricing varies according to view, nature and waterfront.
Barrett Chute is surrounded with thousands of acres of Crown (publicly owned) land.
See also
*
Mount Pakenham
*
Camp Fortune
*
List of ski areas and resorts in Canada
References
External links
*
{{Ski areas and resorts in Ontario
Ski areas and resorts in Ontario
Tourist attractions in Renfrew County