Downhill skiing options around Toronto allow for the possibility of winter thrills without having to travel too far. In fact, you don't actually have to leave the city if you're content with smaller slopes. City-run hills, such as those at Earl Bales and Centennial Park, offer beginner and intermediate slopes for more novice skiers, but if you're looking to tackle a black diamond, you're going to have to leave the city (and really the province). A bit of a drive can be worth it, however, especially for night skiing when the hills are aglow (and the lift tickets a little cheaper).

Here are some places to go downhill skiing around Toronto:

Earl Bales Park

I remember the hills at Earl Bales Park being slightly intimidating as a seven-year-old. In other words, it's probably a good place to go for beginner skiers, though it boasts three intermediate slopes and one beginner hill. At Bathurst just south of Sheppard, Earl Bales is a city-run facility with a chairlift, rope tow, snack bar and rental facility. A full-day adult pass is $28, and full equipment rental is $25.

Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Centennial Park

Another city-run hill, Centennial Park is located one block west of Renforth Drive on Centennial Park Road in Etobicoke. It has one intermediate slope, one beginner slope, and a snowboard slope, as well as a t-bar, carpet lift, and snack bar. A full-day adult pass is $28, and full equipment rental is $25.

Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Uplands Golf and Ski

Uplands Golf and Ski is in Thornhill on Uplands Avenue south of Highway 407. It has five slopes of varying difficulty, boasting "a vertical drop of some 100 feet." Lessons and rentals are available on site. A weekday adult pass is $21 and $25 on weekends. Ski rentals are $25 on weekends, $23 for snowboards. Hours vary (though the hill is closed on Monday) so best to call ahead.

Dagmar Resort

Dagmar Resort is located in the Oak Ridge Moraine between Ajax and Whitby. While more of a drive than those listed above, you'll get access to 17 runs of a whole range of varying difficulties. Along with four chairlifts and two carpet lifts for both day and nighttime skiing, there's also a coffee lounge and restaurant with licensed bar at the resort. Passes range from $40.71 to $47.79 depending on when and how long you plan on skiing, and a total rental equipment package is $28.32.

Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Lakeridge Resort

Lakeridge Resort is also in the Oak Ridge Moraine in Uxbridge, Ontario. It has 23 runs spread over 70 acres, with black diamond trails for experts and beginner hills for novices. There are also mogul runs and three dedicated snowboard terrain parks. While hours vary depending on the day and time of year, night skiing is generally available until 9:30 p.m. An all-day adult pass is $61.50, and a 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. pass is $36.50. Rentals are also available on site at $39.55 for a ski package and $49.40 for snowboard. The hours vary, so check the website or call ahead.

Briacombe

Briacombe, formerly the Oshawa Ski Club, is a not-for-profit initiative in Orono, Ontario, between Oshawa and Port Hope. It has 21 slopes of varying difficulty, 11 of which are open for night skiing. There are also two chalets with cafeterias, three quad chairlifts, and professional instruction available. An all-day adult pass is $49 plus an $11.30 park pass, and $33.50 for complete ski or snowboard package rental.

Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m

Photo by Doug Bethune on Flickr.