Explore Beyond Blue Moutain: Extend your Learning from the Classroom to Learn on your Feet

This year’s OPPI conference is at Blue Mountain from September 16-18, 2026.  We are excited to welcome all our attendees. As part of the conference program, we have several guided excursions that give attendees opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.  This year we have an exciting line up of excursions including tours of Blue Mountain, Collingwood, Thornbury, and a yoga session on top of the mountain. These tours are eligible for CPL and are led by local planners and related professionals that have expertise in Blue Mountain Village and surrounding municipalities. 

SPECIAL PRE-EXCURSION EVENT: Yoga on Top of the Hill

September 15, 1:30-3:30 pm

Start your conference experience with a unique wellness journey atop Blue Mountain. This pre-conference yoga session invites you to pause, recharge, and connect with nature while taking in breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment from the summit. Enjoy a guided, all-levels yoga practice focused on mindful movement, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this session offers the perfect opportunity to stretch, breathe, and prepare for the inspiring days ahead. Your experience includes a scenic gondola ride to and from the summit, where you’ll enjoy fresh mountain air, stunning views, and a peaceful setting designed to restore both body and mind.

FREE Guided Excursion: Blue Mountain: Looking Back and Forward

September 16, 11:00 – 12:30 pm or

September 17, 2:00 – 4:30 pm

Join us for a guided excursion through Blue Mountain Village that connects planning history, community vision, resort operations, and the landscape that shapes this unique destination. The experience will begin with a short contextual briefing to introduce participants to the evolution of the village, its design intent, and the ideas guiding its future. From there, the group will walk through the village with local guides, exploring key public spaces, streetscapes, amenities, and design features while discussing how the resort and village function together throughout the year. Participants will then continue up the mountain to experience the broader landscape, taking in views of the Niagara Escarpment and considering how recreation, sustainability, visitor experience, and environmental stewardship intersect in this setting. This excursion offers an engaging, on-the-ground look at how planning, landscape architecture, tourism operations, and long-term vision come together in one of Ontario’s distinctive four-season destinations.

Revitalization of Terminals Point: A Landmark Reimagined

September 16, 11:00 – 1:00 pm

Join us on a guided excursion to explore the exterior of Collingwood’s iconic grain terminals. This presentation plus walking tour describes the Town of Collingwood’s journey working with the community and through a public-private partnership to re-imagine this heritage landmark from guiding principles through to the development process for a mixed-use project with significant public realm enhancements.

OFDU Cidery and Multi Use Building

September 16, 1:15 – 3: 45 pm

Join us for an informative tour of Spy Cidery to explore how On-Farm Diversified Uses (OFDUs) can support the long-term viability of Ontario farms. The tour will highlight the role of value-added agriculture in strengthening farm businesses and include a guided tour with the cider maker through the working orchard, cider production facility, and a cider tasting. We’ll discuss the planning process for the recently approved OFFU expansion to accommodate events and weddings as a complementary use that supports the ongoing agricultural operation. Hear firsthand from the property owner and planning professionals as they share the agricultural, economic, and community benefits of on farm diversification.

The Town of Thornbury Tour

September 16, 1:30 – 4:00 pm

As the Town’s Primary Settlement Area, Thornbury is intended to accommodate much of The Blue Mountains’ future growth and change. This walking tour will explore how that growth can be directed in a way that supports new housing, greater choice and affordability, while maintaining the low-rise, open space and small-town character that defines Thornbury. The tour will move through the Highway 26 Corridor, Downtown Thornbury and surrounding neighbourhood areas to examine where change is already occurring, where redevelopment opportunities remain and how future growth may be shaped over time.  Along the Highway 26 Corridor, the group will consider vacant and underutilized sites identified through the Official Plan Review and Community Design Guidelines Update, with discussion focused on the difference between urban and rural design approaches, including how policies for height, built form, setbacks and site design can be adapted to fit Thornbury’s context.  Stops in Downtown Thornbury and nearby neighbourhoods will explore how established character can be maintained while creating opportunities for modest infill, a broader range of housing options and complete community-building. Together, the tour will provide a practical, place-based discussion on how tourist-based communities and small towns can plan for growth while protecting the qualities that make them distinct

Greenworld Hiking Trail

September 17, 1:00 – 2: 30 pm

Ride the gondola up the mountain and then with your bagged lunch, take an easy, guided educational walk through Blue Mountain’s forest ecosystem on the Green World Pollinator Trail. Follow the interconnected layers of the forest, from the canopy above to the life on the forest floor and discover the creatures and plants that call the Niagara Escarpment home.

The Storied Storeys of Downtown Collingwood: Heritage Conservation Meets Master Planning

September 17, 2:30 – 5:30 pm

Join a guided tour of Collingwood’s historic downtown and adjacent neighbourhoods. Participants will learn about the significance of the buildings, challenges to maintaining the district, and ongoing efforts to preserve its integrity. This walk is designed to be conversational, so questions are encouraged — and you won’t want to miss the scavenger hunt bingo during the tour!

From Welding Shops to Wineries: Exploring OFDUs on the Ground

September 18, 9:00 – 12:30 pm

Join Grey County planners for an immersive bus tour exploring the evolving landscape of rural economic diversification. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Grey County’s economy and identity, yet shifting market pressures, rising costs, and generational change are prompting farmers to explore new ways to sustain their operations. On farm diversified uses (OFDUs) are an increasingly important strategy for resilience and innovation.

Participants will visit four unique OFDU examples:

• A Mennonite owned welding shop

• An on-farm market garden and retail store

• A Michelin recognized restaurant offering refreshments

• A local cidery that also serves as a wedding venue.

Through site visits and discussion with County planners, attendees will gain insights into Grey County’s approach to supporting agricultural innovation while maintaining the integrity of its rural landscape.

The Karst-Case Scenario: A Hidden Topography Tour of Grey County

September 18, 9:00 – 12:30 pm

“Karst” is a term used to describe landscapes with distinct bedrock features known as carbonates (e.g. limestone and dolostone), which are prone to weathering by water. Over time, dissolution of the bedrock can result in features such as sinkholes, crevasses, springs, or underwater streams. Karst topography is common throughout the Niagara Escarpment area and across parts of Southern Ontario. As such, it’s a major planning consideration, especially in rural areas. Karst landforms have the potential to influence site stability, provide unique species habitat, and may have significant implications for local ground and surface water resources.

This excursion begins with a 45-minute overview called “What is karst and why does it matter?” led by members from Grey County’s planning department, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, and GEI Consultants. Afterwards, the group will set out by bus to check out some unique local karst landforms, including a hike into the Wodehouse Karst Area in neighbouring Municipality of Grey Highlands. The bus trip includes beautiful views of the Beaver Valley. Please note: the terrain can be quite rocky and steep in places, and a moderate level of fitness is required. Participants are encouraged to wear/bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, bug spray, and a water bottle.

How to Register for Guided Excursions

Pre-registration for guided excursions are required; you can include this add-on when registering for the in the Pre-Conference Workshop & Guided Excursions section of the ticket selection screen when you register or through the Member Portal.

Steps to register for Guided Excursions

Option 1:

1. Register for Guided Excursions when registering for the conference.

Option 2:

• Log into your Member Portal.
• Select Purchases on the left side menu.
• Select the ticket you have purchased for the 2026 OPPI Conference.
• Under Tickets, select the “Purchase Additional Tickets” blue button.
• Scroll through the list of additional ticket options and select the Add-On ticket that you would like to purchase.
• Complete the relevant questions and select the Checkout blue button on the right side of the screen.

Guided Excursions will sell out fast and will NOT available for purchase at the conference!  Be sure to register today.

Questions? Contact [email protected]