It’s time to go outside to play: the conditions in Quebec ski resorts are “magical”, even “exceptional”, due to the snow accumulation of the last week, launch the representatives of various resorts. And board sports enthusiasts are there to rejoice.
Some regions of Quebec experienced particularly favorable conditions for sliding sports this winter, others had it less easy. But one thing is certain: the snowflakes that accumulate on Saturday – in the middle of spring break for all students in the province – are the joy of ski resorts.
“The snow falling today, among other things, is truly magical,” marvels Josée Cusson, director of communications and marketing at the Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASSQ). Families must be happy to have this snow to go play outside and enjoy it,” she adds.
At the Mont Sutton ski resort in the Eastern Townships, “around 11 a.m. we had already accumulated 16 centimeters and it was still snowing,” says Nadya Baron, marketing director. I think we 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
Same story north of the St. Lawrence River, at Les Sommets de Saint-Sauveur ski resort in the Laurentians. “It’s really very very beautiful, we had already received a nice 15 centimeters of snow when I left. It’s beautiful snow, fresh, light, and it’s going to be even better tomorrow,” informs Christian Dufour, marketing director for the station.
A smooth school break
Going to the ski slopes during school break can sometimes be an obstacle course, but not this year, note the various representatives consulted by The Press.
The fact that half of the students in Quebec were on vacation from February 27 to March 3, and that the other will be the following week, counts in the equation, estimates Mme Cusson. “It spreads out the traffic,” she explains. People are there, but there’s not a lot of waiting, unlike [à d’autres années]. »
The school break period accounts for about 30% of seasonal traffic in ski resorts, she recalls. Ontario students are expected in two weeks.
In Saint-Sauveur, Mr. Dufour also thinks that the mild weather, combined with good daily snow conditions, has helped reduce peak periods. “During the break, there was not such a full day, to tear your hair out, he rejoices. For customers, it’s much better. »
Fewer people on the slopes therefore does not mean less traffic, argue the various representatives. “To date, the spring break is similar to last year, which was a good year,” reports Nadya Baron of Mont Sutton. We’re not breaking records, but there are people there every day, the wait is reasonable, the conditions are really at their best, and what’s more, it’s not even that cold! »
An uneven winter
Winter and ski conditions have been uneven across the province this year. In Charlevoix, Mont Grand-Fonds, near La Malbaie, is on track for a record year. “It’s definitely the biggest season of the last ten years,” enthuses Sébastien Tremblay, station manager.
“The traffic is very present, he continues, beyond our planning. We have a season with an abundance of snow, a very nice temperature that allows us to offer our customers exceptional conditions. »
As of Saturday, the station has calculated that it has received 350 centimeters of snow since the start of the season, underlines Mr. Tremblay, 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 had 70 centimeters of snow in the last few days and almost five meters of total accumulation since the start of the season,” she says. “It’s a season that is going very well, we are aware of being in a region blessed with natural snow cover. There are five weeks left so it’s time to enjoy it! »
The thaw and the rain at the beginning of January had worried many ski resorts in the province. “It’s going to have an impact on the overall traffic for the whole season, that’s for sure,” admits Mme Cusson of the ASSQ.
Some regions south of the St. Lawrence River, notably the Eastern Townships, did not benefit from the same conditions either due to “yoyo” temperatures, either too mild or too cold, explains Ms.me Cusson.
“Yes, mother nature did not spoil us at the start of the season, forget Mme Baron de Mont Sutton, but that’s behind us! »