Thunder Bay, Ontario — The small city of Thunder Bay was once a bustling ski hub, with a total of five ski resorts in 1985. Today, only two remain. Perhaps the most dearly missed of those three is Candy Mountain, which met its demise in 2002.
In the latest episode of The Lost Resorts, Skier72 analyzes what went wrong at Candy Mountain. The video examines the ski area’s history, the reasons for its closure, and the mountain’s topography.
Candy Mountain opened back in 1972 and was home to the longest chairlift in Ontario. It became known for its Winter Carnival, which culminated in a Canoe Race down a steep slope. Unfortunately, the Thunder Bay ski market was oversaturated, as it’s projected that only 5% of the population skied. While promotions attempted to make it a regional destination, they didn’t attract enough outsiders. For much of its history, the owner also operated nearby Loch Lomond, which was a more viable business. Candy Mountain closed in 2002. The ski shop was converted into an A-frame home, and the land was subsequently rezoned for residential use.
It’s a shame that this place closed, as it appeared to have some steep slopes. Its layout reminds me a bit of Black Mountain in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, with the rezoning and continued growth of trees and plants on the slopes, a comeback of Candy Mountain is unlikely.
Image/Video Credits: Skier72, Skimap.org
