The Talisman Resort in Grey Highlands was once Ontario’s largest ski resort before it closed four years ago and now work is underway to bring it back to life.
Construction at the Talisman Mountain Inn began last May and its new owners are spending about $10 million retrofitting the resort.
In 2011, the Talisman was closed; millions of dollars were owed – including back taxes. The new owners bought it for approximately $1.8 million.
Once work is complete, the owners say there will be significant changes like the end of skiing at the resort.
“The Talisman used to be the largest ski resort in Ontario but things have changed in the ski industry. Now Blue (Mountain) is taking over a lot of the ski business in the area. For us to get skiing back in operation here it could cost us somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10 million,” says owner Brian Ellis.
Chair lifts will be sold off, walking trails will be etched into the landscape and a new spa will accompany the hotel.
There is still a lot of work to do and the owners hope to have the hotel open by January, the spa and other facilities are expected to be completed by the fall of 2016.
