The cross-country ski season has not yet started and its enthusiasts are already facing a major problem. Laval University has decided to block access to the Montmorency Forest trails, one of the most popular sites in North America, for the 2022-2023 season. A decision that is far from unanimous.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
The Montmorency forest is a temple for the province’s cross-country skiers. Located in the Parc des Laurentides, about 45 minutes from Quebec City, it welcomes amateurs and advanced athletes from the end of October until the beginning of May. In addition to offering exceptional sliding qualities, the site is made up of accommodation and food stations. A place like no other in Quebec.
Nevertheless, Université Laval has taken the decision to block access to the territory that belongs to it for the benefit of its students and teachers from the faculty of forestry, geography and geomatics, because “the Montmorency Forest is a laboratory of research and teaching”, explained the establishment in a press release sent to The Press. In this same declaration, the University specifies that “the trails will therefore be used by machinery and this sector could be dangerous for people”.
Although the University claims to be “aware[e] that this decision saddens many skiers”, the amateurs who usually take advantage of the facilities are appalled by this choice.
A popular petition
Mathieu Fréchette, a regular Sunday skier on the site, did neither one nor two when he learned that the rumor circulating had materialized. Two weeks ago he started a petition for people to make their displeasure known.
The University needs to understand that this place is important to the cross-country ski community. At first, I thought it was going to reach the people of Quebec, but I realized that it transcended the region.
Mathieu Fréchette, amateur skier and local regular
He regrets that the University deprives citizens of the site which, he thinks, is the envy of many nations in the world. “I find it unfortunate and deplorable that we don’t take advantage of this proximity to a ski area of this quality. »
The petition is only a few signatures away from its initial goal of 10,000. “It’s a pleasant surprise,” admits its instigator, Mr. Fréchette.
A loss for the athletes
Cendrine Browne and Pierre Harvey used the exact same words to describe the situation: “It’s just really sad. »
Browne, Olympian and Athlete Support Coordinator for Ski de fond Québec, explains that this site, which opens about three weeks earlier than average, allows Quebec skiers to compete with athletes from the West who also rely on similar facilities.
PHOTO SEAN KILPATRICK, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Cendrine Browne
Moreover, this place benefited not only the athletes of the national team, but also the civilian clubs, the Quebec team and even American skiers, who went there to start their season.
The Quebec development team was supposed to hold its first camp of the season at Montmorency Forest. “We are trying to turn around. We brew ideas, but yes, the preparation of the athletes is at stake, ”said Browne.
For his part, Pierre Harvey has always benefited from this enchanting site. From when he himself was a member of the Rouge et Or until last fall.
“I found that very unfortunate. It’s sad, because it’s a unique place in Quebec. All the elements are there. »
A pioneer in his field, Harvey struggles to get used to the idea, considering that the forest of the Parc des Laurentides stretches over hundreds of kilometres, that Université Laval could not leave a parcel of its territory to cross-country skiers .
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Pierre Harvey with his son, Alex
I really have a hard time understanding. It’s huge, so it’s a pity that all cross-country skiing is amputated. I hope they will be open.
Peter Harvey
All of the stakeholders consulted believe that there is room for compromise. Both for the University, which could leave space, and for the skiers, who could do with the idea that certain slopes are closed for a given period.
During the pandemic, the popularity of cross-country skiing has exploded. This decision breaks, in a way, the momentum that the discipline had taken, which the three speakers deplore.
The good news, if there is any, is that the enthusiasm and interest around this situation prove that cross-country skiers of all calibers support each other and stand up. “It’s impressive,” says Cendrine Browne. Then, Pierre Harvey replied that “it warms the heart to see that people are interested” in cross-country skiing and its athletes.