It’s time to go outside to play: the conditions in the ski resorts of Quebec are “magical”, even “extraordinary” due to the snow accumulation of the last week, launch the representatives of different ski resorts. And board sports enthusiasts can look forward to it.
Posted at 4:56 p.m
Some regions of Quebec experienced particularly favorable conditions for gliding this winter, others had it less easy. But one thing is for sure: the snowflakes piling up on Saturday — in the middle of spring break for all schoolchildren across the country — are the joy of ski resorts.
“Among other things, the snow falling today is really magical,” marvels Josée Cusson, director of communications and marketing at the Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASSQ). Families must be lucky to have that snow to play outside and enjoy,” she adds.
At Mont Sutton Ski Resort in the Eastern Townships, “by 11 a.m. we had accumulated six inches and it was still snowing,” says Marketing Manager Nadya Baron. I think we’ve accumulated half a meter of snow in the last seven days. The area is 100% open and the conditions are really great! »
PHOTO JOCELYNE TRUDEAU PROVIDED BY MONT SUTTON
The same story north of the Saint Lawrence River in the Les Sommets de Saint-Sauveur ski area in the Laurentians. “It’s really, really nice, we had already got a good 15 centimeters of snow when I left. It’s beautiful snow, fresh, light and tomorrow it will be even better,” says Christian Dufour, the station’s marketing manager.
A smooth school break
Going to the ski slopes during the school holidays can sometimes be an obstacle course, but not this year, the various representatives consulted by La Presse note.
The fact that half of Quebec’s students were on vacation from February 27 to March 3, and half the following week, counts into the equation, Ms. Cusson estimates. “It distributes the traffic,” she explains. People are there but there isn’t much of a wait, unlike [à d’autres années]. »
School holidays account for about 30% of seasonal traffic at ski resorts, she recalls. Ontario students are expected in two weeks.
In Saint-Sauveur, Mr. Dufour also believes that the mild weather combined with good daily snow conditions has helped reduce peak times. “The break wasn’t such a full day to pull your hair out, he’s happy. It’s much better for customers. »
The various representatives argue that fewer people on the slopes do not mean less traffic. “So far spring break is similar to last year which was a good year,” reports Mont Sutton’s Nadya Baron. We don’t break any records, but there are people there every day, the waiting times are manageable, the conditions are really ideal and it’s not even that cold! »
An uneven winter
Winter and ski conditions have been mixed across the province this year. In Charlevoix, Mont Grand-Fonds near La Malbaie is on course for a record year. “This is definitely the biggest season in the last ten years,” enthuses Station Manager Sébastien Tremblay.
“Traffic is very present, he continues, beyond our planning. We have a season with lots of snow, a very pleasant temperature that allows us to offer our customers exceptional conditions. »
On Saturday, the station calculated it had received 350 centimeters of snow since the start of the season, Mr Tremblay points out, including 30 centimeters in the last seven days.
Similar conditions have been observed in the Massif de Charlevoix, according to Isabelle Vallée, head of communications and public relations. “We’ve had 70 centimeters of snow in the last few days and almost five meters of total snow since the start of the season,” she says. “It’s a season that’s going very well, we know we’re in a region blessed with natural snow cover. There are still five weeks left, so it’s time to enjoy! »
The early January thaw and rain had worried many ski resorts in the province. “It will affect overall traffic for the entire season, that’s for sure,” acknowledges ASSQ’s Ms. Cusson.
Certain regions south of the St. Lawrence River, notably the Eastern Townships, did not benefit from the same conditions due to temperatures that were either too mild or too cold, explains Ms Cusson.
“Yes Mother Nature didn’t spoil us at the start of the season, let’s dump Mrs Baron de Mont Sutton but that’s behind us! »