Located in the Charlevoix region, an hour outside of Quebec City, Le Massif is Quebec’s most dramatic mountain. Le Massif is just 20 minutes further east along highway 138 from Mont Ste. Anne Ski Resort. A shuttle service runs every half hour from the nearest town, Baie St. Paul. Here visitors will find high-end bed and breakfasts, art galleries, restaurants and cafes – perfect for apres ski activities.
Skiing Le Massif
Le Massif features a dramatic 700-yard vertical drop, the highest east of the Rockies. The longest run is over three miles long and takes skiers to the town below. At Le Massif, the departure point of the chalet is located at the summit so visitors ski right out of the resort without having to board a ski lift. Well signed scenic runs allow skiers to opt for side trails of varying degrees of difficulty on their downward descent. Le Massif resort, part of a UNESCO – designated World Biosphere Reserve, is particularly popular with backcountry ski fans as two-foot snowfalls are not uncommon.
For those who don’t alpine ski, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and ice climbing are also available at Le Massif. With 43 runs and counting, one can easily get lost. To fully appreciate all Le Massif’s trails, free guided tours (recommended) are available upon request.
Apres Ski Activities
At Le Massif, dining is taken as seriously as skiing. Unlike most ski resorts where fried foods are the norm, Chef Guy Bessone and his team work hard to insure skiers are eating properly to meet the physical demands of skiing. From the Summit Cafeteria to the gourmet restaurant, Mer & Monts (Sea and Mountains), healthy food choices dominate.
Local bands provide an excletic mixture of entertainment from folk music to fusion world beat at the Summit Pub. Special family weekends feature clowns and face painting for the kids and demonstrations of the newest ski equipment for all.
Traveling To Le Massif
It’s a good idea to arrive before 7 a.m. or after 10 a.m. to avoid the weekend traffic delays on the two lane access road. In extreme weather conditions, the road is closed. Because there is no night skiing as of yet, the trails close at 4:30 p.m.
Le Massif Ski Resort 1-877-536-2774
photo credit: Le Massif Ski Resort
