But what about the smaller resorts of Eastern Canada? Their new additions may make smaller waves, but they’re more relevant to me (and to most of Canada’s population). After all, I’ll make more turns in Ontario and Quebec than anywhere else this season. Plus, relatively speaking, enhancements at smaller resorts can have a bigger impact on the overall ski experience than can multimillion-dollar upgrades on taller peaks. Here, then, is the biggest 2014-15 news from Eastern Canada’s public ski resorts (beyond the $4.50 lift tickets mentioned in the Globe):
ONTARIO
Horseshoe Resort: A newly designed Parkscapers/Bosse Snowpark features a slopestyle area, rail plaza, and ski- and snowboard-cross course. Plus, there’s a new magic carpet lift in the beginners’ zone.
Brimacombe: Located at the bottom of the Vault terrain park, the new Brickworks Plaza includes interchangeable features such as an urban-style planter box, two ledge boxes and a close-out round bar rail. It will also host Brimacombe's new Battle of the Plaza event series on Jan. 17, Feb. 7 and March 14.
Laurentian Ski Hill: There’s a new magic carpet lift on the beginner hill, as well as a handle tow for the terrain park and three new features.
Snow Valley: A new 300-seat chalet will offer marketplace-style dining.
QUEBEC
Camp Fortune: A second magic carpet will carry beginners to the top of a new “Discovery” learning area.
Mont-Sainte-Anne: Not a “small” resort by any means, Mont-Sainte-Anne is naming a new expert run after mogul skier Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau, who started skiing at this Quebec mountain at the age of 4 and went on to 23 World Cup podiums, a World Championship, and a fifth place at the Vancouver Olympics.