Muskoka Ski Club - Hidden Valley — Attraction in District Municipality of Muskoka

I took my fiance here twice over the holidays. When buying tickets I specifically mentioned that we would only be using the bunny hill (she's still learning). We both bought lift tickets just to keep that option available to us in case she felt more comfortable as the day went on, but we made it abundantly clear both times that we were primarily there for the beginner slope.

The first time, the passes were sold to us at 4:15 PM despite the fact that the bunny hill closes at 4:30. We were never told that the bunny hill was not open during the evening ski hours, and again - we specifically mentioned that we were primarily here for that hill. Since my fiance didn't yet feel comfortable going on the lift, we ultimately chose to leave and try again the next day.

The second time, the passes were sold to us again, despite the fact that there was a snow camp going on at the bunny hill with lines upwards of 25 children and a junior obstacle course for their class that obstructed the whole hill.

The hill was essentially unusable for anyone that wasn't part of the snow camp. That's fine, of course. But my question is - why were these passes sold to us? Twice we specified our particular needs. Both times we were enthusiastically sold passes upwards of 50 dollars each. And yet there were essentially no hills that fit my fiance's skill level.

The first time this happened, I let it go. The person working the guest services desk was a teenager so I just chalked it up to inexperience. The second time it was an older woman who should've known better. My fiance was angry and attempted to get a refund before leaving (less than an hour after our arrival) and was pretty rudely turned away.

To make matters worse (and I know I'm rambling), during our second visit, we witnessed a young boy break his wrist going down a hill that was beyond his skill level. The kid sat there for a good 5 minutes calling for help, then awkwardly attempted to return to the chalet before collapsing. No one came to his aid until we realized how serious the situation was and went to find a medic inside. I get that skiing is a dangerous activity, but if you're not going to screen for skill level in younger visitors, at least have a supervisor watching out for injuries. Not to mention the walk up to the chalet (and the only way to get to the beginner slopes) is directly in the path of two intermediate hills.

The folks live in Huntsville, making this the most convenient ski spot in our area, but we definitely won't be coming back. The trek down to Barrie or out to Haliburton...

On my 100th visit here I said enough — this organization is a joke. Won’t return.

Grew up skiing at Hidden Valley — March Break costumes, Boogie With Your Boots on. Learned to jump on the Dutchman before they got it and built the park that gave rise to an Olympic gold.

Opening weekend, Christmas week. There could be a 20 min line for each of 3 lifts right now. My slushy local hill in GTA opened before Hidden Valley. After weeks of cold and a massive snowstorm trapped drivers on 11 overnight, they opened with … two children’s runs. Zero access to their … 300’ of vertical. A couple of what they call Blue, but which are in truth green + marketing. There are roofs with a better en piste experience than Hidden Valley provides this Christmas week.

But, the website is clear — discounted tickets are available at the counter. Click — $16. Everywhere, $16. There is also the full price posted but clearly $16 is what these tiny runs are worth, and that is the headline price. Sold… I’m so happy that finally someone isn’t charging me $18 for a Subway sandwich … the insanity is getting a common sense reprieve.

They have next to nothing to offer, so they are showing a brave face and humbly charging next to nothing.

Walk up… Nope, $16 was the bait and switch price. It’s $53 or something. A 20% discount for 80% less mountain. They read the Pareto Principle upside-down. No, in fact they opened with the bare minimum to support a CSIA L1 course — perfectly coincided. Did they assume idiots from the city would open a tab for a few crumbs from the table?

What an awful place. Wasted an hour of my day, they asked no questions about what I was trying to achieve, what injury my few runs were meant to be recuperation from. Just a “Pay or GTFO” attitude, heavy on the “GTFO”.

I hate to say it, but in Muskoka people do not care like they do in Toronto. They just want your money and F off. So… I will oblige. 43 years after I started spending 8:30-4:30 on the T-Bar, Red Chair… even daring the Face… bye. Will...

Took my children here for skiing as I have skied here for years. It has always been one of our go to spots, but today’s visit left with the feeling that we may possibly never go back again.

We arrived in the morning and purchased tickets for one adult and two children. Total was just shy of $200. I asked the cashier about the prices as this was an unprecedented rate, and it was confirmed that it was $78 for an adult ticket and $58 for each child, plus taxes for the day (ending at 4pm).

After one or two runs, we noticed to our dismay that only two hills were operating. We had not seen signage alerting us to this fact nor was it explained at the time of purchasing that out of 15 runs, only 5 were operable (many of which flow into one another and are essentially connected, so really closer to 2 main hills offered in actuality).

Staff were firm in their rules for lifts, budding and sneaking in line clearly not allowed. Appreciated this so everyone was encouraged to wait fairly for their turn, especially because it was a busy day.

Staff in cafeteria professional and courteous and prompt. Food was lukewarm. Ordered two burgers, a hot dog, two milk a water and fries and it came to $45. Had a hair in burger and asked for a new one to be made. A new one made but enforcing staff to wear gloves and hair net essential when handling food and burger toppings.

The day was enjoyed, but the value was severely lacking. Our shock of the price was shared by many other skiers when chatting on the lift, seems we were clearly not the only ones who felt gypped! Big money and little value, especially since a couple hills were operational. $250 for two hills and sub par food. Not the quality I’m accustomed to at this spot from...