How to Dress for Cold Weather
Dec 15 2017
Wind, snow and cold weather are a reality of winter but you don’t have to let that stop you from getting outside and hitting the slopes this season! Here are a few tips and tricks on how to dress for winter, whether you’re a regular on the hill or it’s your first time stepping foot on the slopes.
Base Layer
When you exercise, your body sweats, and if this sweat cools on the skin, it can make your body cold very quickly. To keep yourself warm and dry, you want to start with a good base layer. Your base layer should be snug and made of a “technical”, “breathable” or “wicking” fabric, which draws sweat away from your skin. Base layers can be the difference between a great day on the hill and a miserable day in the lodge, so they’re worth the investment.
Mid Layer
Once you have a good base, you can layer up with thicker, warmer fabrics that trap your body heat to keep your warm. Fleece is the best fabric for this because it insulates well without being bulky, doesn’t absorb much moisture and dries easily.
Outer Layer
Your outer layer is what protects you from wind, rain and snow. With the slushy conditions that we often get here in southern Ontario, it is important for your snow pants and coat to be waterproof, so look for taped seams, water repellent coating and high waterproof rating, which ranges from 5,000 to 20,000. This layer should be a little looser than your other layers to allow for more movement but not so loose that it lets warm air out.
Hands and Feet
Just like the rest of your clothing, it’s best to start with socks and gloves made of wicking material and then layer up with warm socks and waterproof gloves. Your socks should fit snug, come up to the top of the calf and be thin enough that they won’t bunch up around your ankles. A standard cotton sock will lead to cold, damp feet—socks made of wool are best. You can even stash some hand and foot warmers in your pockets for those especially cold days.
Face and Neck
A helmet is the most important thing you can put on your head but wearing a balaclava under your lid can keep your face, head, neck and ears warm and prevent windburn and frost bite. Throw on some goggles and you’re ready to go!
See you on the slopes!
How To Get Your Equipment Ready for Winter
Dec 15 2017
With the weather getting cold, the snow falling and the snow guns blasting here at Glen Eden, it’s time to start getting ready for the ski and snowboard season! Getting your equipment tuned up is an easy way to make sure your first day on the slopes is a smooth ride. So, what do you need to do?
Edges
The edges of your skis or snowboard are what give you grip on the slopes and keep your carving sharp. These edges can become corroded, rusted, dull and damaged throughout the season, so make sure to get them sharpened before you hit the hill. Racers and anyone else looking for performance will want a super sharp edge on their equipment. Park riders will want something a little less sharp but still smooth and clean. The pros at the Glen Eden Pro Shop can help you get the perfect edges for your style of sliding.
Base
While you’ve in the Glen Eden Pro Shop, ask the pros to wax the base of your skis or snowboard to help you slide on the snow. If you don’t like to build up too much speed, don’t worry—having your skis or snowboard slide more smoothly over the snow will actually make it easier to control your speed and everything else you do on your skis or snowboard. Wax will also protect your equipment from becoming dried out and damaged. If you really want to keep the base of your skis or snowboard smooth, make sure to wax them after every four or five days on snow. You’ll probably be surprised by the difference it makes!
Bindings
Skiing and snowboarding on rough terrain, wiping out in the terrain park and throwing your equipment into the back of your car can all do damage to your bindings. The pros at the Glen Eden Pro Shop will make sure you don’t have any loose or missing base plate screws, broken boot buckles or other components that need to be adjusted. Having your bindings checked can help prevent injury and make sure your first day out on the hill doesn’t get interrupted.
Gear
Don’t forget to make sure the rest of your gear fits and is in good condition. If your boots are feeling a bit tight or your helmet was handed down to you from your grandpa, Corbetts or Paramount Sports can help you get set up with some new gear. And if you can’t make it to a shop before opening day, the rental shop at Glen Eden has skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, goggles and warm winter clothing to get you out on the hill!
See you on the slopes!
What is a Master Plan and why do we need one
Jan 26 2017By Gene Matthews, Director, Operations
Conservation Halton is currently developing a new Master Plan for Kelso Conservation Area and Glen Eden. You might ask, what is a master plan, and why do we need one? There are a number of good reasons and if you visit Kelso or Glen Eden to enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities which are offered, we think you’ll agree.
Kelso / Glen Eden is a busy place and visitation has grown. Every winter more than 300,000 people come to ski and snowboard at Glen Eden, making it consistently one of the three busiest hills in Ontario. During the other three seasons, Kelso attracts 175,000 people who come to hike, bike, swim, camp and more. When you factor in the location of Kelso / Glen Eden in Milton, (one of the fastest growing communities in Canada), and with it being within minutes of millions of people in the GTA, it is important proper planning be done for the challenges and potential growth opportunities which lie ahead.
The Master Plan is a document which will act as a blueprint to support business development and growth at Kelso and Glen Eden. A key component is to ensure continued protection for our natural heritage system while also providing appropriate recreation and educational experiences for the growing number of visitors. Given Kelso and Glen Eden’s location on the Niagara Escarpment a Master Plan is required so any future development can be reviewed and approved by the appropriate agencies such as the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
The last Kelso / Glen Eden master plan was conducted in 2002, and many of the goals have been accomplished, so it’s time to complete a new one. Much has changed in the last 15 years for Kelso / Glen Eden and a new master plan will help guide Conservation Halton in sustaining and growing business at Kelso and Glen Eden in a responsible manner.
Part of the exercise will be to assess facilities at Kelso / Glen Eden to determine if they are meeting current requirements, and look at future opportunities to either improve service or accommodate projected growth. Technology has advanced and the community demographics have changed as well, so we need to take those factors into consideration. The Master Plan Process will not be something we do on our own. We want to hear from everyone whether you come to Kelso / Glen Eden to … walk your dog, ski or snowboard in winter, send your child to a day camp, use our trails to mountain bike or hike, use the lake to swim or boat, attend events, really any of the many activities and programs you can do at Kelso / Glen Eden.
How can you participate? We recently closed an online survey where we asked people for their thoughts on our programs, infrastructure, operations and environmental conservation. If you completed the survey, thank you, if you didn’t complete the survey, don’t worry there are still ways for you to share your thoughts. Public meetings will be held later this year where you can come and hear more about the potential plans, ask questions and provide comments. Be sure to visit our webpage and watch our social media feeds and other sources of media for updates. We will let you know once the meetings have been scheduled! Conservation Halton will also be holding meetings with representatives from many of the large user groups who use Kelso / Glen Eden on a regular basis for programming or special events.
Kelso/Glen Eden Master Plan
Dec 09 2016
Conservation Halton is planning for a sustainable future at Kelso Conservation Area and Glen Eden by working to update our Master Plan. As Kelso is a part of the Niagara Escarpment Park System, our goal is to ensure continued protection for the natural and cultural features while providing quality recreation and educational experiences for our growing and changing visitor base.
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Your thoughts are important to us! We are looking for your input to help improve Kelso Conservation Area/Glen Eden. This short survey will help us develop a new Park Master Plan which will ensure Kelso/Glen Eden remains an exciting and cherished part of our future. We want to hear from you about our:
- Programs
- Infrastructure
- Operations
- Environmental conservation
Everyone who completes the survey and provides their e-mail address will be entered into a draw to win one of five prizes. Winners will be able to choose either a Halton Parks Annual Membership or a Glen Eden Seasons Pass.
Kelso / Glen Eden Master Plan Process
The Kelso / Glen Eden Master Plan will act as the guiding document to ensure sustainable planning, development and resource management is in the forefront at Kelso throughout the continuous growth of Halton Region and our surrounding community. Our Kelso Master Plan will form together through a three phase process. The planning process was structured to satisfy the legislative requirements of the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Conservation Authority Act and has included extensive consultation with the public, stakeholders and related agencies.
We are currently in Phase I of the Kelso / Glen Eden Master Plan Process. If you would like further information on the master planning process or to view background documentation for the Kelso Conservation Area / Glen Eden studies (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III of the Kelso Master Plan) please contact Meghan Hunter, click here to send an email to Meghan Hunter, or call 905-336-1158 extension 3223
- Phase I will be a holistic inventory and analysis of existing conditions and needs at Kelso Conservation Area and Glen Eden. Through this phase we can determine our areas of concern, strengths and areas for ongoing monitoring or protection.
- Phase II will synthesize the information collected in Phase I and a conceptual design will be developed. This will ensure that the key features at Kelso Conservation Area and Glen Eden are protected or enhanced throughout the ongoing management of the park and reflect our vision at Conservation Halton.
- Phase III will be the Master Plan that outlines detailed areas for development and our intention for the ongoing management at Kelso Conservation Area and Glen Eden. This Master Plan will portray a park designed to address growing regional recreational demands while also ensuring the long-term protection and sustainability of this natural escarpment park.
About Kelso Conservation Area / Glen Eden
Conservation Halton first acquired lands in 1960 for flood control and water management purposes within the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed. Today Kelso Conservation Area has grown into a major regional recreational area servicing the Halton Region and Greater Toronto Area.
This popular day-use recreational park is known for its summer and winter use, with over 22 km of marked trails, a beach area and 16 downhill ski slopes. Kelso Conservation Area is comprised of 490.6 Hectares, (including the Kelso Quarry) of land located at the junction of the Niagara Escarpment and Sixteen Mile Creek. The Niagara Escarpment rises some 70 metres above Sixteen Mile Creek providing a unique combination of geological and ecological features on the property.
The tablelands are predominantly covered in deciduous forests, afforestation fields, wetlands, talus slopes and creeks. Significant environmental features include the presence of ancient cedar old growth forest, exposures of provincially rare geological formations and a diversity of escarpment plant and animal species. Annual park visitation totals approximately 500,000 recreational users, including some 160,000 summer visitations and 338,000 winter skier/snowboard enthusiasts with additional growth expected in concert with a rapidly growing Regional population.
Park operation costs including maintenance and capital expenditures have traditionally been funded through self-generated revenues from the park admission fees and services, with the exception of capital and maintenance costs for flood control facilities which are supported through municipal levies. The Kelso Conservation Area / Glen Eden is the “flagship” park of the Conservation Halton park system. Together with the Hilton Falls; Rattlesnake Point; Crawford Lake; Mount Nemo; Mountsberg and Robert Edmondson, the seven Conservation Areas receive more than 750,000 visitations annually and essentially function as a regional park system. However, without additional funding for capital and servicing upgrades, this park system is challenged to meet both current and anticipated visitation demands.
Lesson Registration 2016/17
Sep 02 2016Registration Dates
Saturday, September 24 - (8:00am to 4:00pm)
- 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Kinder ski/snowboard ONLY
- 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: All programs
Sunday, September 25
- 8:00 am - 4:00 pm: All programs
- 1:00 pm: Online Registration for All Programs Opens
We’ve made a few changes to our registration process to ensure that we can best serve you.
Similar to previous seasons, Saturday, September 24 will be an In-Person Registration for Kinder Ski and Snowboard only from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. New for this season, we will also be opening up registration to all other programs in the afternoon starting at 1:00 pm. This will also be an In-Person only registration.
On Sunday, September 25 we will be hosting In-Person only registration before online sales going live at 1:00 pm. This process allows us to handle the registration process for our more in-demand programs better at popular times and ensures your child is in the appropriate lesson for the best experience.
For example, if you are looking for Kinder, Primary, Junior or Private Lesson programs specifically on Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 or 10:40 we suggest one of our In-Person lesson registration options to have the best chance to book your preferred time slot.
4 things you need to know before registering:
1. Know your (or your child’s) ability
Check out our skill progressions chart
2. Select your lesson program
Match your ability level to the type of program that will suit your goals and timeframe.
3. Add your lift access option
A valid lift pass is REQUIRED for any guest using the lifts and slopes.
4. Add rentals if needed
We have rental package options that can be added to any lesson program.
If you have any questions, please feel free to touch base with our Visitor Service team at visitorservices@gleneden.on.ca or (905) 878-5011 ext 1221
Closed for the Season
Mar 10 2016Valued guests and pass holders, it is after much deliberation and consideration that we have made the decision to close for the season on Saturday March 12, 2016 at 6:00pm. All season passes will be valid for the day.
We certainly have not had the cooperation of Mother Nature and Old Man winter this season. It has been a challenging winter to say the least. Although our snow makers and groomers have done everything they could, we simply will not be able to provide the quality of conditions or experience we strive to deliver.
We thank you for your understanding. For those of you who have registered for March Break programs, you will receive a separate communication regarding your options.
Looking forward seeing you next season,
Sean Durkin
Area Manager
Glen Eden
Opening January 8!
Jan 04 2016
We couldn’t be happier to officially announce that we will be opening this coming Friday January 8 at 8:30am until 9:30pm.
Details will come later on this week as to which runs and lifts will be open. We’re still making snow for a good portion of this week and the goal is have as much terrain open as we can. We can also promise that there will be a Terrain Park setup as well. Terrain Park location, number of features and other details will be announced later this week.
The tube park will not be open this weekend. Keep checking our website for more information over the coming days and weeks for an update.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
December 24, 2015 Update
Dec 24 2015We wanted to give a quick update on where we stand with the opening of the current season at Glen Eden, given the unseasonably warm December we’ve been experiencing. Despite starting our snowmaking efforts back in November, and making snow at every available opportunity, Mother Nature is not cooperating and it is becoming quite clear that opening before New Years is unlikely.
We understand for our passholders and all winter sports enthusiasts this can be frustrating. Making our own snow is the reality of operating a ski and snowboard hill in Southern Ontario. Without getting into a detailed explanation of the factors which go into making snow (temperature, humidity, etc), let’s just say we need a few days of cold temperatures to get the slopes ready for you to enjoy. The end of the long-range forecast appears to be trending in our favour and hopefully we can get our snow guns going and our lifts turning shortly after.
With nearly 700 staff ready to go, we can’t wait for winter to arrive and are committed to provide you with a great season. We have Lift Attendants waiting to get the lifts turning, Snow School instructors ready to take your skills to the next level as well as so many other departments who are also anxiously awaiting opening day.
For up to date information regarding opening day please subscribe to our newsletter, and follow us on our social feeds (facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube). At this time, we are unable to give an accurate prediction of when that will be.
We wish you all the best to you and your families over this holiday season, and think snow!
Sean Durkin
Area Manager
Holiday Camps unable to run as scheduled
Dec 18 2015Despite starting our snowmaking efforts back in November, and making snow at every available opportunity, Mother Nature is not cooperating with us and it is becoming clear that we will be unable to run lessons as scheduled through the holidays. All programs scheduled to run December 21 – 24 (Camp 1) as well as December 27 – 31 (Camp 2) are cancelled.
Our Visitor Services team will be in touch by phone over the next few days to discuss options with you. We will do our best to accommodate you in one of our other lesson offerings this season where space is available or provide a full refund on your Christmas Camp 1 lessons.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and can assure you that we will continue to do everything we can to get the hills open as soon as possible.
We are confident that winter is coming to southern Ontario and we hope you can come out and enjoy it with us.
Glen Eden Snow School
Holiday Camp 1 - December 19 - 23 Update
Dec 14 2015Despite starting our snowmaking efforts back in November, and making snow at every available opportunity, Mother Nature is not cooperating with us and it is becoming clear that we will be unable to run your lessons as scheduled December 19th – 23rd.
Our Visitor Services team will be in touch by phone over the next few days to discuss options with you. We will do our best to accommodate you in one of our other lesson offerings this season where space is available or provide a full refund on your Christmas Camp 1 lessons.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and can assure you that we will continue to do everything we can to get the hills open as soon as possible.
We are confident that winter is coming to southern Ontario and we hope you can come out and enjoy it with us.
Glen Eden Snow School
