Character
The Town of The Blue Mountains is in Grey County, just west of Collingwood. It stretches from the Niagara Escarpment down to Nottawasaga Bay and covers several distinct communities. In winter, life revolves around Blue Mountain Resort and the private ski clubs. The rest of the year, it's cycling, hiking, golf and the orchards around Thornbury and Clarksburg.
Communities in The Blue Mountains
Thornbury
Thornbury is the harbour village where the Beaver River meets the bay. Its older streets still have late-19th-century houses under big trees. Today it's known for its marina, independent shops and restaurants, and easy access to the Georgian Trail. Beaver Valley Community School and the L.E. Shore Library are both in town.
Blue Mountain Village
The pedestrian village at the base of Blue Mountain Resort has cobblestone streets with shops, restaurants and bars, plus live music and events throughout the year. Homes in and around the village are mostly condos, townhomes and chalets, and many owners use them as ski-season bases.
Craigleith
Craigleith sits between Collingwood and Blue Mountain on Highway 26. Craigleith Provincial Park has a shoreline of fractured shale with fossils that are about 450 million years old, and the private Craigleith Ski Club is on the hill above. Homes range from bayside properties to chalets and newer communities, with the Georgian Trail running through.
Read the full Craigleith guide →
Homes you'll find
Housing here depends on which community you choose. You'll find condos and townhomes around Blue Mountain Village, chalets and larger homes near the ski hills, and newer subdivisions and heritage houses in Thornbury. Out in the countryside there are rural and escarpment properties. Many homes are second homes, so it's worth asking how a property has been used and what rules apply to it.
Amenities & things to do
Blue Mountain Village has cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants and hosts live music and events year-round. Thornbury has a harbour, a main street of shops and restaurants, and the L.E. Shore Library. Craigleith Provincial Park sits on Highway 26 at the base of the hills. The Scenic Caves and the Scandinave Spa are both in the area.
Trails & outdoors
The Georgian Trail runs right through Craigleith and Thornbury on its way from Collingwood to Meaford, and the Bruce Trail crosses the escarpment above. In summer, Blue Mountain Resort runs lift-served mountain biking.
Who it suits
Skiers and snowboarders, weekenders who want a four-season base, downsizers moving to a village, and buyers who want orchard country with the bay close by.
Schools
The Blue Mountains is served by the Bluewater District School Board. In Thornbury, Beaver Valley Community School teaches JK to Grade 8. Confirm secondary school and transportation for a specific address with the board.
Short-term rental rules
In The Blue Mountains, any rental of less than 30 days is a short-term accommodation (STA) and needs a Town licence under By-law 2021-70. STAs are only allowed in certain zones, shown on the Town's STA Zone Map. New Type B licences are currently on hold under a moratorium. The Town lists the initial two-year licence fee as $2,500, and operators must also register for the Municipal Accommodation Tax. Don't assume a property can be rented short term because it has been in the past. Check the zone map and the property's licence status.
Content checked November 1, 2026. Rules change; confirm with your lawyer or the municipality.
Peter's take
When people say they want to live "at Blue," I ask how they'll actually spend their weekends. Walking to the lifts, walking to a Thornbury café and having a bigger lot in the country each point to a different part of the Town.
Last updated November 1, 2026. Municipal rules (especially short-term rentals) and school arrangements change. Details come from the public sources below, so please confirm anything important for a specific property.