Despite the rain and mild temperatures of the last few days, ski resorts and outdoor activity centers in Gaspésie are preparing for the spring holidays.
On Friday, the snow groomers were in use at the Mont-Béchervaise ski center in Gaspé to prepare the slopes.
I started at three in the morning. “We were waiting for the cold to set in so we could take out the machines because yesterday there was real slush and water and it wasn't rideable,” says Vincent Thibault, head of mountain operations at the ski center.
Open in full screen mode
Vincent Thibault in a snow groomer.
Photo: Radio-Canada
“We are working on the slopes to add snow where it is missing,” adds the ski center’s general director, Gaëlle Vivier.
It was certain that there was still a risk that there would be patches of dirt on the mountain that we could not repair. We will report them so that it is safe for users, she specifies.
The spring break ski camp will continue with activities adapted to the conditions, although temperatures could rise on Sunday and force the mountain to close its operations.
Open in full screen mode
A snow groomer on the slopes at Mont-Béchervaise in Gaspé.
Photo: Radio-Canada
On the days when we reach 10 degrees we plan to close to preserve the snow cover as much as possible, but on the other days we will give 100% to the population of Gaspé, specifies Vincent Thibault.
Only three snowstorms hit the area this winter. The start of the season was also delayed, which could have a significant impact on the ski center.
This is a fairly significant impact as we have already lost the holiday season, which typically accounts for 15-20% of the ski center's revenue. If we also lose break days and are open for 10 days, then we can expect things to become financially complicated, admits Gaëlle Vivier.
Open in full screen mode
Gaëlle Vivier, General Manager of Mont-Béchervaise de Gaspé
Photo: Radio-Canada
She advocates for Quebec to fund artificial snowmaking at regional ski centers, as costs are often prohibitive for small ski resorts. Gaëlle Vivier estimates that installing artificial snowmaking for Mont-Béchervaise would cost between two and four million dollars.
Since the seasons have been getting shorter and shorter for several years and we don't have mechanical snowmaking, we have to ask ourselves the question. If we want to maintain our ski centers in the region, we may have to give ourselves the opportunity to equip ourselves with mechanical snowmaking, she says.
The oversized tire wheel in the spotlight
If conditions are difficult for skiing, they are better for cross-country skiing or cycling with oversized tires. This activity is offered at the Gaspésie base camp in Coin-du-Banc, near Percé.
Open in full screen mode
Jean-François Tapp goes cycling in winter.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Luc Manuel Soares
With the mild weather of the last few days, the paths are hard, hard, hard like concrete. The beach strangely resembles an August day, so spring break at Gaspésie Base Camp is primarily fat biking, says Jean-François Tapp, the co-owner.
In general we offer hok skiing, which is a mix of skiing and snowshoeing that allows you to do powder snow that we haven't really seen yet this winter. We also offer ice climbing, but with the warm weather it's very likely there won't be any, he specifies.
Open in full screen mode
Jean-François Tapp
Photo: Radio-Canada / Luc Manuel Soares
He estimates the camp typically operates at 60% capacity during spring break, but expects that to be down this year and relies primarily on a local clientele.
Yes, a season to forget and we hope this will not be the norm in the future. It is clear that the climate changes we talked about 20 years ago are now being felt. It has a significant impact in the outdoor and adventure tourism sector. It's up to us to adapt, says Jean-François Tapp.