Paper lift passes are passé as Boler Mountain opens next Wednesday

With all the snow the region has seen over the last few weeks, Boler Mountain will open its doors next week. CTV’s Sean Irvine reports.

After several weeks of preparation, including help from Mother Nature, Boler Mountain is set to open next week.

“We’re hoping to open on Wednesday,” said Director of Operations Marty Thody.

In the interim, he says snow needs to be pushed, groomed, and tilled.

“Things are looking great, we’ve got some really cold days ahead, and it’s for a longer extended run than last year,” he said.

As a non-profit, Boler relies on the busy Christmas season to generate revenue.

Thankfully spending over the last decade on snow-making equipment has made the attraction less susceptible to sudden temperature fluctuations.

“We’re ok, we can ‘weather’ through some stuff now,” Thody said.

More operational days have translated into more money. Recent revenue has been used to build a new chalet in 2018, and a new equipment shop in 2024.

Last year, as many as 150,000 people visited Boler during the winter months. That is double the number who came just over a decade ago.

Thody credits his staff (500 in 2025 and 2026) and the new infrastructure for the increase.

New at Boler this season is enhanced online ticketing and the end of paper lift passes. Electronic gates are also in place.

“It’s designed to read a ticket that’s in your pocket and automatically lets you through the gate if your ticket is active and valid,” explained team member Greg Strauss.

The $250,0000 system is expected to reduce the number of counterfeit passes, while also improving flow on the slopes.

“It will not slow you down. It’ll just enhance the experience,” said Strauss.