While work continues at Le Massif de Charlevoix, including a whopping C$16 million investment in the ski area itself for this winter alone, improvements at other Quebec City area ski and snowboard resorts will enhance the experience across the region this winter.
In addition to smaller ski areas near the city including Le Relais on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and Massif du Sud to the south, the region’s primary skiing and riding venues are Mont-Sainte-Anne, Le Massif de Charlevoix and Stoneham Mountain Resort. The former two offer 2,000 or more vertical feet of skiing and riding to compete with the largest ski areas in eastern North America. Skiing these mountains by day (or by night at Ste.-Anne and Stoneham) combines with the joie de vivre, French language and old world atmosphere of Quebec City to provide a ski vacation with a uniquely international flavor.
The biggest news in the region this winter comes from Le Massif de Charlevoix. In addition to development of a “tourist train” that will operate year-round carrying visitors, including skiers, along the banks of the St. Lawrence from Quebec City to the slopes and the resort’s “The Farm” project in the quaint village of Baie St.-Paul, before continuing beyond to La Malbaie, resort officials are investing C$16 million in the ski area itself this winter, highlighted by a new eight-passenger gondola.
“This lift is the first intermodal link between Le Massif de Charlevoix’s three environments. It will soon convey visitors from the summit to the base of the mountain, towards La Ferme in Baie-Saint-Paul and the Québec City-La Malbaie rail link,” said president and general manager of Groupe Le Massif, Daniel Gauthier.
The new base-to-summit lift will include a mid-station loading area and will be accompanied by an expansion of the resort’s Mont à Liguori off-piste sector. As well, a new two-trail beginner area is being developed and will be serviced by both a new chairlift and conveyor lift.
Closer to Quebec City, officials at Mont-Sainte-Anne have been working on their existing gondola as well. This season, the resort’s 100 gondola cabins have been completely refurbished, including a new color and a fresh coat of paint, new high-tech windows and reupholstered cushions. The gondola carries skiers from the base area to the Summit Chalet, which has also been renovated with a brand new terrace, roof and new colors for the building. The new earth tones are intended to harmonize with the view of the St. Lawrence and Charlevoix hillsides.
Mont-Sainte-Anne’s base has been completely reorganized this winter by removing older buildings to create a huge open area for the enjoyment of all guests. Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham, both of which are owned by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), have each improved their beginner areas with brand new conveyor lifts to make it easier for first timers to learn to ski or ride. The conveyor lift at Stoneham is the resort’s second, and at 185 meters the longest “magic carpet” in the East is now at the base of Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Each mountain will also feature new intermediate boardercross courses this winter. Stoneham’s will be built in the “Short-Cut” section of the resort’s terrain park. The beginner’s snow park, located on the “Familiale” run (#19) will be doubled in size.
The Hotel Stoneham at the base of Stoneham Mountain Resort has also undergone significant renovations for this season. Over all, C$3 million has been invested by RCR this season to improve facilities and add new features to its two ski resorts.
