Snow Lover’s Trivia
If you know your French, Le Massif de Charlevoix means The Massive of Charlevoix.
Charlevoix is a region just east of Quebec City. The ski resort, Le Massif, is for certain massive. With a vertical drop almost as great as Whiteface dropping into the great St. Lawrence River, the mountain is truly spectacular.
Towering high above the St. Lawrence River, Le massif is a natural hideaway for action, adventure and intrigue. I have never skied an area so unique with its magnificent views of the St. Lawrence and its provision for guests to park at the summit or base.
Le Massif offers more this season, a new slide experience known in Europe as rodeling, a specialized Freestyle & Freeride boutique, a bridge to travel around the base more easily, a new À Tout Prix Card for skiing or riding at $40 per day, and The Train linking Québec City to the Mountain. Le Massif does impress.
Starting December 2011, a 7.5 km sled run specially designed for rodeling on a natural snow base is now here for couples, friends, families and groups keen on experiencing winter in a whole new way. Two options are offered for appreciating this original, authentic activity. One can enjoy a classic 2-hour plan that includes the grooming machine shuttle to the rodeling departure point on Mont à Liguori, or a 3-hour authentic plan featuring a guided snowshoe tour to the trailhead that leads down to the Massif Express boarding area.
At the foot of the trails, Base Camp’s new Freeride & Freestyle boutique is the place to discuss trends and tricks, and checkout the latest Rossignol, Burton and Oakley lines. Trying or buying a snowboard, skis, boots, clothing or accessories? Expert advisors at the boutique meet the need.
The new bridge at Le Massif, La Passerelle, provides more lift options and better access to skiable terrain. Getting from one Mountain sector to another is easy thanks to the new bridge connecting the boarding areas of the Massif Express Gondola and Grande-Pointe Express Lift, and its pathway leading to the Base Chalet. This new 100 meter pedestrian, skier and rider concourse also links up with Le Transit, the pulse gondola that shuttles Train passengers to the Mountain.
Starting February 2012, The Train linking Québec City to La Malbaie is launching 19 round-trip winter rail cruises, 11 of which feature a special stopover at the base of Le Massif. Breakfast is served on the morning rail trip. After an exciting day on the slopes, passengers relax over gourmand après ski fare on the return rail cruise.
Skiers and riders sail the trails for less this season. For an initial $79, an adult À Tout Prix Card includes your first day lift ticket at the Mountain, and then guarantees better than ever deals on subsequent visits, $40 Sunday to Friday, and only $50 on Saturdays. Student, senior and junior rates are also available.
Le Massif is 33 km/20 miles east of Mont-Sainte-Anne, and 73 km/45 miles from Québec City. Visit lemassif.com/en
