TORONTO — It used to be that if you didn’t travel abroad during the summer months, you felt like you were missing out. 

Whether it was Italy, Mexico or another bucket-list destination, overseas vacations were almost a rite of passage, while staying home often carried an unfair stigma. No one wanted to be left behind while friends and family travelled afar, returning home with first-hand accounts of sun-kissed beaches, ancient landmarks and breathtaking scenery.

Then the pandemic changed everything. With borders closed and international travel off the table, Canadians had little choice but explore their own backyard. Road trips, weekend getaways and cross-country vacations suddenly replaced cruises, all-inclusive vacations and European escapes. The shift was dramatic: in 2021, domestic trips accounted for 97.9% of all trips taken by Canadians, reports Statistics Canada.

All-you-can-eat BBQ meal at Summitview

Five years later and Canada’s domestic tourism numbers are still booming, fuelled in part by a sharp decline in travel to the United States. Canadians took 342 million domestic trips in 2025, up 1.5% from 2024 and 2.5% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. While full-year 2026 data isn’t yet available, Leger’s 2026 Travel Trends survey found that 67% of Canadians planning a spring leisure trip intended to vacation within Canada, compared with 49% the previous year.

That trend is good news for destinations like Blue Mountain Resort, Ontario’s largest four-season mountain resort, which according to Stacy Maning, VP Sales and Marketing, is seeing continued interest from Canadians choosing closer-to-home getaways.

“While factors like fuel prices and the rising cost of living are certainly part of the conversation, families still want to find escapes and ways to maximize their summer,” she tells Travelweek.

“What we are seeing is that guests are becoming more intentional with their travel spending. They’re looking for destinations that offer more than just accommodations – they want a complete experience with outdoor adventure, great dining, entertainment and opportunities to explore the surrounding region. For Blue Mountain, that aligns well with what we offer.”

 

“INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES”

Located in the heart of Southern Georgian Bay at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, Blue Mountain Resort has become synonymous with weekend getaways for Ontarians ever since Jozo Weider, a Slovak immigrant, founded it in 1941. 

Today, it’s home to an iconic pedestrian village, more than 50 shops, restaurants and bars, over 900 guest accommodations and 60,000 square-foot conference and event space, making it Ontario’s largest conference resort. Throughout the year, visitors can choose from a wide array of seasonal activities ranging from skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in winter to hiking, mountain biking, tennis, golf and pickleball in the warmer months.

My family and I spent two nights at Blue Mountain in late June, using the resort’s Full-Access Tickets to experience as many attractions as possible. We rode the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster (twice!), channelled our inner Spider-Man on the Canopy Climb Net Adventure, reached new heights at the Lumber Lanes Climbing Centre, zipped across the Timber Challenge High Ropes course, lounged pool-side at Plunge! Aquatic Centre and soaked up rays on the resort’s private beach. 

Skywalk Challenge High Ropes

Between activities, we refuelled with excellent meals at Magnone’s Italian Kitchen (don’t miss the carbonara) and Summitview, an all-you-can-eat, barbecue-heavy restaurant at the mountain’s top with incredible views. Our home for two nights was The Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain, where we also took advantage of the private pool, kids’ activity room and on-site Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill.

But the destination’s appeal extends well beyond the resort itself. Nearby Clarksburg Village – affectionately known as “Artsburg” – is home to local artist studios and galleries, while downtown Thornbury offers that classic “Main Street” appeal, complete with charming bakeries, picturesque waterfront parks and the laidback Thornbury Craft Co. Cider House.

Together, the resort and its surrounding communities make Blue Mountain a destination that offers far more than skiing, with activities and experiences that appeal to couples, families and multi-generational travellers alike. 

“Many travellers still associate Blue Mountain primarily with winter, but summer is one of our most exciting seasons,” says Maning. “Beyond the resort’s signature attractions, there are incredible opportunities to explore the surrounding Niagara Escarpment, including hiking along the Bruce Trail, paddling on Georgian Bay, cycling, golfing and discovering local arts, culture and culinary experiences.

“It’s easy for travel advisors to package these experiences together. Through curated itineraries like ‘Explore the Escarpment’, guests can combine outdoor adventure with wellness, local food, wineries, scenic lookouts and nearby communities to create a more immersive Ontario getaway.”

Downtown Clarksburg, aka Artsburg – Credit Cindy Sosroutomo