The story of the Home Farm is inseparable from the history of the Weider family, whose vision and determination transformed Blue Mountain into one of Ontario’s most iconic destinations.
Jozo Weider was born in Žilina, Czechoslovakia, in 1909. A ski enthusiast and lodge owner in Europe during the 1930s, Jozo’s life was uprooted by the Second World War. In 1939, with his wife Helena and their young son George, he emigrated to Canada, eventually making his way to Quebec as a ski instructor. It was there that he met lawyer and businessman Peter Campbell, who would become his business partner and help lay the foundation for Blue Mountain Resorts Ltd. Together, they purchased slopes and tows from local ski clubs, and in 1941 Jozo began the work that would define his life.
Jozo and Helena raised their four children at the Home Farm, where their lives revolved around both the farmstead and the ski hill. The children attended the Craigleith school nearby, and Jozo himself often picked up skiers arriving by train, transporting them to the slopes on horse-drawn sleighs or surplus trucks.
Even after Jozo passed away in 1971, the Weider family carried forward his vision. His son-in-law, Gord Canning, helped lead the resort through decades of growth, while later partnerships with Intrawest and eventually Alterra transformed Blue Mountain into the four-season destination it is today. Yet, the Home Farm remained a constant-kept in the family and preserved as a symbol of where it all began.
When Jozo and his family arrived at Blue Mountain, they settled into a farmhouse on a one-hundred-acre property that became known as the Home Farm. This land became both the foundation of their home life and an essential support for the growing resort. The Weiders farmed the land, grew gardens, and ran a sawmill where lumber from the mountain was cut into boards for ski tow shacks. Ice blocks were stored in sawdust and sold to nearby cottagers, and vegetables from the gardens were delivered to Georgian Bay cottages. Guests were sometimes even accommodated in the farmhouse itself. For Jozo, the Home Farm was more than just a place to live-it was part of the larger vision for Blue Mountain. He drew from its resources to build the resort,
while also ensuring it remained a place of family, community, and creativity. In 1953, he founded Blue Mountain Pottery, converting the barn into a workshop that produced iconic ceramic pieces using local clay. The success of the pottery business helped fund modernizations at the resort, further entwining the farm with the evolution of Blue Mountain.
In celebrating the Weider legacy, Altitüde creates a future where residents can live surrounded by the same natural beauty and sense of belonging that shaped Blue Mountain, a place where history and modern living meet in harmony.
With MacPherson’s acquisition of the Home Farm and with its rebranding as Altitüde, the next chapter continues the Weider family’s remarkable legacy. Just as Jozo Weider built Blue Mountain on a vision of blending community, nature, and recreation, Altitüde is designed with that same spirit of respect for the land and appreciation for its history.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Altitüde offers Nordic-inspired luxury detached singles and townhomes that reflect a rare balance of elegance and authenticity. This exclusive enclave honours the heritage of the Home Farm by ensuring that modern four-season living exists in harmony with the story that began here decades ago.
We’ve received your registration and look forward to welcoming you to Altitüde.
If your plans change or you have any questions, please contact our Sales Team at sales@macphersonbuilders.com