Following the colossal success of the inaugural Blumination Dream Trail at Blue Mountain, this season’s illuminated walking trail is bigger and brighter with thousands more lights, fresh installations and surprises around every corner. Beginning at dusk, the one-kilometer Dream Trail weaves through Blue Mountain Village, around the Millpond, ending up in the Village plaza – and is completely free to enjoy – every evening from Nov 30 through March 2020.
A truly magical experience, last year’s Blumination Dream Trail garnered attention on social networks and blogs due to its spectacular light displays. The view from the Woodview Mountaintop skating trail atop Blue Mountain is nothing short of breathtaking and the perspective changes as you descend – in fact, the Dream Trail may be at its best while night skiing – the entire village is ablaze with hues of cobalt, sapphire and cerulean. And because the trail is one-kilometer, it is walkable in ski boots.
Blue Mountain Village Association (BMVA) has enlisted the help of Collingwood based Smash Reality to create this all new mega-watt winter experience. “Although the 16 zones are all uniquely designed, we work with the BMVA to make sure the overall effect is very cohesive,” explains Smash Reality COO Aprile Morwood. “Our lights are programmable LED strips and we use sequencing software to tell each light individually what to do, and with over 16,000,000+ colour options the final product is amazing!”
Don’t forget your camera! Taking a photo alongside the illuminated “BLUE” sign is a must-see for avid Instagrammers and if you’re lucky, you might even witness a marriage proposal at one of the romantic stops along the trail. Last season there was even a pop-up wedding! And because the trail is located at the base of Blue Mountain, you can easily make a night of it with a casual dinner at Grand Central Lodge.
Each zone has an individual computer which controls it and features both interactive and dynamic light installations that invite visitors to take part in a unique and memorable experience. “We work with a lot of different materials to create the framework of the installations,” explains Aprile. “Wood, metal and plastics in addition to the electronics installed inside each construction. The most important part of the design is taking into consideration weather conditions; anticipating up to 6 feet of snow, minus 40 temperatures, or 100 km/h winds, and of course interactions with the guests at the village.”
Celebrate the launch of the Blumination Dream Trail on Saturday, November 30th with a family friendly street party and official launch of the Big Tree Light Display at 7pm in the Events Plaza.
Playful, heart-warming, and visually impressive, The Blumination Dream Trail is a truly a magical holiday celebration with entrancing nightly light demonstrations, fireworks, horse and wagon rides, and visits with Santa. Make it a holiday tradition—shops and restaurants are open every day of the year, including Christmas. New Year’s Eve celebrations begin in the Village at 9:30pm with an electronic countdown on the Big Tree at midnight with sensational fireworks over the mountain. And of course, it’s all free! |E|
For more information and schedule of events, visit bluemountainvillage.ca/blumination
