Blue Mountain has introduced paid parking for one of its lots beginning this Friday.
The P2 Village parking lot will be a paid lot starting Dec. 20 for any parking session lasting longer than an hour in a move that officials hope will help reduce congestion.
"Historically, the main Village parking area has been a pinch point for congestion and guest dissatisfaction due to our limited ability to safely manage that area. Moving to the paid entrance in that lot allows for infrastructure that will better control vehicle traffic in that area, and improved wayfinding to best manage traffic flow," said Ryan Fiechtner, director of mountain experience and guest services for Blue Mountain.
The rates for the lot, which is the busiest and closest to Blue Mountain Village, will be $15 for 12 consecutive hours of parking, and $30 for anywhere between 12 and 24 hours of parking. The first hour is free.
This is the only lot moving to a paid parking system, and about 90 per cent of the resort's parking remains free.
There are still free parking lots at the south end of the resort and at Blue Mountain Inn. A free shuttle operates between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week through the holidays and daily until 9 p.m. for the rest of the ski season. Both lots also are close to restrooms and there is accessible parking.
"The resort does plan for future, long-range improvements to this lot and all parking at the resort." explained Fiechtner.
For more information about free and paid parking at the resort, visit bluemountain.ca/discover-blue/getting-here.
