Just when we thought Ontario's Mount St. Louis Moonstone couldn't possibly get any bigger or faster it did. (Mount St. Louis photo)

Just when we thought Ontario's Mount St. Louis Moonstone couldn't possibly get any bigger or faster it did.

The Barrie ski area (owned by the Huter family and known for bulldozing dirt to its peak to increase the hill's vertical climb) invested another $4 million this summer in its new Summit Six Express.

Workers removed two slow-moving fixed-grip chairlifts to make way for this high-speed six-person chair that extends up T-Bar Alley.

The new six-pack is steps from Louis's main chalet, has an uphill capacity of 24,000, and boasts a two-minute (two minute!) ride time. But the lift is mostly newsworthy for the better access it offers to beginner and novice skiers to the ski area's peak and its green-circle terrain.

What's next for the ever-expanding area?

"That's enough!" joked Elfriede Huter at last month's Toronto ski show. We'll see. Check mslm.on.ca.

TAKE OFF FOR QUEBEC

Also attention-grabbing for skiers: Porter Airlines' new direct flight to Quebec's Mont Tremblant.

Typically skiers and snowboarders endure a seven-hour drive along Hwy. 401 and various Quebec autoroutes to reach Tremblant's impressive 875-metre slopes. But Porter has eliminated the need for the drive with a flight from its Toronto Island airport direct into the ski area's terminal.

The flight is 70 minutes. One-way fares start at $129.

Porter's flights from the Toronto City Centre Airport to Mont Tremblant International start Dec. 22, and finish March 31. Flights include Monday, Wednesday and weekend flights over the holidays, with weekend service through the rest of the season. See flyporter.com for details.

Flights direct from Toronto to Tremblant are not completely new. Ultimate Ski Vacations is in its seventh year of offering quickie lift and lodging packages coupled with flights on a Voyageur Airways' de Havilland Dash 7.

The Excite Flights leave from a private terminal at Pearson International, and arrive at Mont Tremblant International. Passengers are met by private coach and transported to the base of Tremblant in 35 minutes. Packages start at around $749; flights only start around $189.

See ultimateskivacations.ca for more information. Learn to Ski & Ride Jan. 12-20 has been set designated Canada's new Learn to Ski and Ride Week, formerly known as National Ski & Snowboard Week.

Ski areas across Canada have resolved to "help more people achieve their 2008 fitness goals by making it affordable and easy to get on the slopes and off the couch," says the Canadian Ski Council.

Ski areas will be offering discount packages designed with beginners in mind. Participating areas will offer 50% price reductions and two-for-one discounts on packages that include a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and a beginner lesson.

Also during the week, ski areas will be offering deals on lodging and food; some will also be hosting ski and ride competitions. For information, go to skicanada.org.

Also from the Canadian Ski Council, kids in Grade 5 (or born in 1997) can ski or ride for free this season with the Grade 5 SnowPass. The Canadian Ski Council and participating ski areas are issuing passports to Grade fivers that include up to three ski-free coupons per ski area, discounts on lessons and equipment rentals, plus bonus Grade 6 coupons that can be used next season at participating areas. See snowpass.ca.\