| Blue Mountain alpine ski resort was founded in | | | | responsibility for the daily management of the |
| 1941 by Jozo Weider and Peter Campbell. Jozo | | | | resort to Jozo's son-in-law, Gordon Canning. |
| Weider and his family immigrated to Canada from | | | | 1973: A ski rental and repair facility opened, and a |
| Hungary at the start of World War II. He was an | | | | major snowmaking system was installed. |
| innkeeper, a mountain guide, and a photographer. | | | | 1977: Blue Mountain built Blue Mountain Slide Ride |
| After they immigrated, he became a ski | | | | which was a summertime activity. Two 2,000 |
| instructor in Quebec where he met a developer | | | | foot (610 m) long mini-bobsled tracks were built |
| named Peter Campbell, and the two created a | | | | for the bobsleds that were set on Teflon runners |
| partnership for Blue Mountain. | | | | or a single wheel. |
| Jozo Weider moved his family to the base of the | | | | 1979: Lights were installed on the Big Baby and |
| mountain and supported them by farming during | | | | O-Hill runs to allow for night skiing. |
| the summer months and working on the ski hill | | | | By the end of the 1970's there were 17 lifts that |
| during the winter. The three original ski runs were | | | | included five double chairs, six pomas, one T-bar, |
| cleared by hand. They were called Schuss, | | | | and a rope tow. |
| Granny, and Kandahar. The lift consisted of two | | | | 1980: Blue Mountain expanded once more with the |
| sleds that were pulled up the hill via a cable, and | | | | opening of the Slipper Dipper Water Slide. This |
| the cable was powered by a truck engine. | | | | new water slide intertwined with the original Blue |
| Milestones | | | | Mountain Slide Ride. |
| 1948: An agreement was signed with the Toronto | | | | The business purchased Georgian Peaks Club |
| Ski Club for a 999 year lease for the use of their | | | | which was a smaller ski club northwest of Blue |
| chalets. Weider also purchased additional 150-acres | | | | Mountain. It has the highest vertical drop in |
| and subsequently opened another ski area called | | | | Ontario and is for advanced skiers. This venture |
| Apple Bowl. | | | | was not a successful business venture and the |
| 1949: The barn that was situated at the base of | | | | Peaks returned to a private ski club in 1987. |
| the Apple Bowl was turned into The Ski Barn. | | | | 1981: The Blue Mountain Inn opened to |
| This became the primary day lodge. | | | | accommodate the ever growing amount of |
| 1955: The Ski Barn was sold to fund the cost of | | | | tourists. |
| a poma lift that was placed between the Schuss | | | | 1984: A Tube ride was added to the existing |
| and Granny runs. | | | | summertime water activities. |
| 1959: Blue Mountain was the first ski hill in Ontario | | | | 1988: The Central Base Lodge and South Base |
| to open a chair lift. This chair lift was called The | | | | Lodge were renovated. |
| Old South Chair lift. | | | | 1997: The Tube Ride was replaced with an |
| By this time the Blue Mountain ski hills now | | | | improved water ride called the Raft Rider. |
| covered 2 ½ miles. | | | | 1999: The Blue Mountain Slide Ride was |
| While developing the ski hills, Jozo Weider had | | | | permanently closed. |
| noticed that the soil was mostly clay. As a hobby, | | | | Major Changes |
| he started making ceramics with the clay. This | | | | 1999 was the year that Intrawest Corporation |
| eventually became a new business called Blue | | | | bought 50% ownership in Blue Mountain Resort. |
| Mountain Pottery. | | | | As a result of this purchase, another major |
| 1960's: with improvements in ski equipment and | | | | expansion process began. |
| the economy, skiing became a major sport in | | | | With Intrawest Corporation in the picture, the Blue |
| Ontario. As a result of increased business, a | | | | Mountain Resort has expanded to include: |
| twenty room inn was opened. | | | | Four high speed six-passenger chairlifts were built |
| 1966: Weider sold Blue Mountain Pottery in order | | | | to eliminate the congestion at the lifts. |
| to fund another major expansion at Blue | | | | Blue Mountain Village with Intrawest's signature |
| Mountain. Three double chair lifts were installed | | | | European flair was built. The Village consists of |
| and a new lodge called Central Base Lodge | | | | condominiums, hotels, a conference centre, |
| opened. | | | | restaurants, shops and many other services. |
| 1971: Jozo Weider passed away before the | | | | Mountain biking on the hills opened during summer |
| expansion project was completed. His son, | | | | months as well as a climbing wall, hiking trails, a |
| George Weider took control of the business. | | | | private beach, a water park, and a golf course. |
| Later, George became Chairman and passed | | | | |
