Le Massif
| Le Massif | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Slopes overlooking the St. Lawrence River | |
| Location | Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Quebec, Canada |
| Nearest city | Quebec City: 70 km (43 mi) |
| Coordinates | 47°17′N 70°37′W / 47.28°N 70.61°WCoordinates: 47°17′N 70°37′W / 47.28°N 70.61°W |
| Vertical | 770 m (2,526 ft) |
| Top elevation | 806 m (2,644 ft) |
| Base elevation | 36 m (118 ft) |
| Skiable area | 401 acres (162 ha) |
| Runs |
52 total - 15% Easy - 30% Intermediate - 20% Difficult - 35% Expert |
| Longest run | 5.1 km (3.2 mi) |
| Lift system |
6 total 1 high-speed gondola 3 detachable quads 1 platter-type 1 novice conveyor |
| Lift capacity | 11,200 skiers/hr |
| Terrain parks | 1 |
| Snowfall | 660 cm (260 in) |
| Snowmaking | 70% - 174 acres (70 ha) |
| Night skiing | no |
| Web site | lemassif.com |
Massif
Massif
Le Massif is a ski area in Québec, Canada, northeast of Quebec City and directly overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
Description
Le Massif de Charlevoix ski area is located in Petite-Rivière-Saint François, Charlevoix, Québec, a 75-minute drive from Quebec City. Its vertical drop is 770 m (2,526 ft), the most in Eastern Canada.
Apart from a big vertical drop and lots of snow, Le Massif de Charlevoix's main claim to fame is that the area is accessible both from the top and from the base. There are three peaks, two of which are currently developed.
Skiing season usually lasts from early December to late April.
Le Massif de Charlevoix gets a lot of snow, and keeps it, as it also gets little rain for an eastern ski area. The natural snowpack (in the trails) can exceed eight feet (2.4 m) at the summit on a typical winter. However, the base is nearly at sea level and can lose its snow quickly once April rolls in.[citation needed]
La Charlevoix, the steepest trail, is home to the only alpine training center east of the Rockies for Canada's athletes. This trail, with a steepest pitch of 64%, is considered by many to be one of the top three most difficult women’s downhill trails in the world.[citation needed]
History
Skiing at Le Massif started at the end of the 1970s, with snowmobiles towing groups of skiers from the main road at the top and a van serving as the lift. In the early 1980s, commercial operations started with la Société de développement du Massif. Starting in 1983-1984, school buses were used to drive skiers from the base to the top after each run. In the summer of 1992, two chairlifts were installed: a high-speed quad and a fixed-grip double.
2001 was a year of significant change for Le Massif. A new road was built from Route 138 to the top of the mountain. The distance between Quebec City and Le Massif summit was then reduced to 70 km (43 mi) instead of the 95 km (60 mi) previously needed to reach the base via the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. At the same time, The Cap Maillard was raised by 35 m (115 ft) to create La Charlevoix, an FIS standard downhill trail mapped by alpine course designer (and champion) Bernhard Russi. With La Charlevoix, Le Massif is now able to host the elite of alpine skiing. It hosted the speed events of the 2006 Junior World Championships, with technical events at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of le Cirque du Soleil, bought le Massif in 2002. Daniel Gauthier is no longer a co-owner of le Cirque du Soleil and has used part of the proceeds of the sale of his participation in that venture to purchase Le Massif.
In 2005, Jean-Luc Brassard, the 1994 Olympic Champion in freestyle mogul skiing, became a spokesman for Le Massif.
In 2009, after a record snowfall of 915 cm (360 in), le Massif added 26 acres (11 ha) of backcountry skiing on Mount A Liguori.
Beginning in September 2011, a new tourist train service from Quebec City began operation, making a stop in the winter at Le Massif.[1]
Development
Le Massif is about to undertake a major development known as Territoire Le Massif. This will open up the third peak to skiing, but mostly transform the mountain and surrounding area into a distinctive four-seasons resort, while respecting environmental values.
The project has a budget of about C$180 million in new investments, in addition to the $50 million already spent and comprises three parts:
- La Ferme (The Farm): Hotel, services and activities in Baie-Saint-Paul, on the site of a burned-out farm. Opening in June, 2012, it was awarded first prize in the Hotel and Service Retail Category of the Retail and Leisure Interior awards in March, 2013.[2]
- La Base (The Base): Services, lodging and activities at the base of Le Massif, West of the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint François.
- Les Crêtes (The Ridges): Services, lodging and activities at the summit of Le Massif.
See also
- Charlevoix Railway
- Groupe Le Massif Inc.
- List of ski areas and resorts in Canada
- Mont-Sainte-Anne
- Stoneham Mountain Resort
References
- ↑ "Charlevoix Ski Train Ready to Roll". First Tracks!! Online. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ↑ "Hotel la Ferme wons top interior design award worldwide". Press Release, March 7 2013. Le Massif de Charlevoix. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
External links
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