The Sommet Express lift is the heart of Sommet Saint-Sauveur. Everything revolves around it. It is also the first chair to welcome skiers in the morning and the one that "turns" the most during the season; from November to May, 7 days a week, days and evenings, without a break. Unfortunately, on Friday, March 11, a major mechanical failure occurred at the end of the day. The lift's engine broke down entirely for the second time in 3 months. Yes, the same problem that occurred last January. Enough to irritate the most zen of us. So, for the second time this season, on Sunday, March 13th, we had to remove the engine from its anchors. Again, a long and extensive operation in order to transport the heart of the mountain to a specialized external repair firm located in Montreal to perform emergency work. The firm in question even agreed to open its workshop on a Sunday to accelerate the repair time. We thank them once again. Today is Wednesday, and the repair work is going well. The delay o...
Bromont, montagne d'experiences (BME) has just announced an investment additional $10.2 million to pursue the development of the Versant des Épinettes. Ms Isabelle Charest, Minister for Education, Minister responsible for the Status of Women and MNA for Brome-Missisquoi andMr. Patrick Guilbault, Senior Regional Director, South Shore and Montérégie of Investissement Québec were present for the occasion. Thanks to the support of the Government of Quebec, which comes in the form of a non-refundable financial contribution of $2 million and a loan adapted to the tourist sector of $4 million, the mountain will improve the experience of skiers by carrying out major improvements, including the replacement of the ski lift which will ensure fluidity for ski enthusiasts on all sides. "The financial support of the Government of Quebec for our project will make all the difference for our mountain," says Charles Désourdy, president of Bromont, montagne d'expériences. These investments will definitel...
Les Sommets management regrets to announce the death of Louis Dufour, Chairman of the Board of the company, leaving his family and thousands of employees and friends in mourning. A former member of Canada's National Ski Team, recipient of numerous awards, including the Canadian Skiers of Distinction, awarded by SKI CANADA, the Réal Boulanger Award and Personality of the Year in 2003 awarded by the Quebec Ski Areas Association, this ski pioneer was inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame in 1994 in recognition of not only his involvement but also his passion for the sport. Known for his avant-garde nature, Louis Dufour was constantly on the lookout for innovations that would give him an edge. He implemented unique and different products and activities that interested all age groups. He brought magic to everything he touched. He was undoubtedly a pillar of the Canadian ski industry. A man of action, enthusiastic, determined and constantly listening to the clientele, all visitors co...
New building at Sommet Saint-SauveurA brand new building of nearly 5,000 sq. Ft. Located at the foot of the Sommet Express ski lift is currently under construction. The inauguration of the latter is scheduled for December 2021. This building will include several services: New lockers for members: private section with restricted access. The lockers will be spacious, heated, and with a customizable configuration.The repair shop, including the 4-module Mercury maintenance robotA Demo center which will be a unique concept in QuebecA vast 1000 square feet terrace with fireplace presented by Jaguar Land Rover Laval Jaguar Land Rover Laval Heated Terrace The 27 X 45-foot terrace, located in the new building near the Sommet Express chairlift, will be heated, equipped with an outdoor natural gas fireplace, and offer take-out access to the brand new café. On October 22nd, the Jaguar Land Rover Laval team joined us for the official groundbreaking ceremony. In the picture, our president and CEO le...
Waterville Valley Resort is pleased to announce the signing of a contract for a new 6-person detachable bubble lift in partnership with MND Ropeways. The new lift will replace the 1988 White Peaks Express Quad, the first detachable high-speed quad in New Hampshire. This will be one of the largest upcoming lift projects in the Northeast and the first of its kind in the United States. This project will be installed over two construction seasons and will open for the 2022/23 ski season. "We have developed a strong partnership with MND over the last 4 years, including the installation of conveyors, a surface lift, and significant snowmaking upgrades and are excited to continue to work with them as a strategic partner for this project," said Tim Smith, President/General Manager of Waterville Valley Resort. "Replacing our White Peaks lift is the most important project in our investment plan for the existing resort footprint and will continue our work to enhance the guest experience at Waterv...
As the next major step in the Sunday River 2030 plan for enhancing the guest experience, Sunday River is scheduled to install the fastest 8-person chair in North America for the 2022-23 winter season. The Jordan 8, a new Doppelmayr D-Line chairlift that is among the most advanced in the world, features weather-blocking bubble covers and will access terrain on Jordan Bowl and beyond. The first of its kind in Maine, the Jordan 8 is the new standard in lift technology, featuring ergonomically shaped, extra-wide heated seats and the world's first bubble in signature Sunday River Red on each chair. The Jordan 8 also addresses decades-long challenges with reliability in the wind, thanks to the new lift's design and a planned reconfiguration of the top terminal. Additional safety features include an adjustable loading carpet to allow children to load the lift easily, and automatic unlock safety bars that lock into place at the start of the ride and unlock in the top terminal. "We are proud as...
After announcing the Sunday River 2030 plan for sustainable growth and development in February 2020, Sunday River Resort has many exciting capital improvements for winter 2021/22, just in time for ski season. These improvements range from on-mountain infrastructure and sustainability initiatives to new experiences and ways to save on lift tickets. Snowmaking Improvements Continuing the resort's commitment to providing the most dependable snow in New England, Sunday River installed 9.5 miles of new snowmaking pipe on White Cap, Locke Mountain, and Merrill Hill, and added two new fan guns in Barker Basin and South Ridge, and 131 new tower guns on the Road Runner, Jibe, Heats On, Cascades, Lights Out, Sensation, Cyclone, and State Fair trails. Working with Efficiency Maine, Sunday River also received grants for energy-efficient snowmaking equipment for Merrill Hill. Upgrades to increase automation in the snowmaking process are also underway, which will assist the resort's dedicated team i...
Eight-Place Design is the Fastest in North America Today, Kancamagus 8, the most technologically advanced chairlift in the eastern United States debuted at Loon Mountain Resort. "This lift offers our guests an experience unlike any other in the region—it is a huge step forward for Loon." says Jay Scambio, president and general manager of Loon Mountain Resort. Speed and Innovation Kancamagus 8 provides access to Loon's West Basin trails and can transport skiers and riders at speeds of up to 18ft per second, making it the fastest eight-place chairlift in North America. The Direct Drive, D-Line design manufactured by Doppelmayr features 205 new developments, including 31 innovations and 14 patents, making it the most modern chairlift in the world. Kancamagus 8 elevates the guest experience with its whisper-quiet operation, ergonomically shaped and heated seats, and weather-blocking bubbles. "The introduction of Kancamagus 8 is an incredible achievement and marvel of innovation and design....
Vermont's Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, and part of POWDR, will kick off the 2021-22 winter season at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021, becoming the first Eastern resort to open for skiing and snowboarding. The first turns of the season, on Friday, November 5, will be reserved exclusively for Season Pass, Express Card, Beast 365 and Ikon pass holders. The resort will open to the general public on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. "We are excited to welcome skiers and riders back to the Green Mountains, and to kick off the longest season in the East," says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. "Last year was a season of change, and while we are not out of the woods yet, we are happy to be starting the season without many of the adaptations the Covid-19 pandemic demanded this time last year." On Friday, November 5, 2021, the K-1 Express Gondola will provide uploading for el...
With the arrival of the winter solstice, the National Capital Commission (NCC) invites everyone to get outdoors and experience another exceptional #WinterCapital offering. Enjoy our expanded network of over 450 km of trails for skiing, snowshoeing, snow biking, walking or hiking; glide along the iconic Rideau Canal Skateway; take to the hills for tobogganing; warm up by fire pits; and enjoy a hot beverage and snack at an NCC Bistro. The return of the #WinterCapital interactive map makes it easy to discover and plan perfect winter outings in just a few clicks. Choose an activity, and narrow the results using filters for the duration and level of difficulty. Over the course of the season, the NCC will monitor the use of its assets, and conduct a survey of users to gather data and feedback to inform future decision making. Expanded Ottawa Winter Trail Network! In partnership with the Urban Winter Trails Alliance, and thanks to their community volunteers, the NCC is offering over 80 km of ...
Alterra Mountain Company announces its plans to invest $207 million in capital improvements for the upcoming year, including transformational base area and on-mountain developments at Steamboat, Deer Valley Resort, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain. This year's $207 million plan includes $111MM in significant resort projects, $31MM in enterprise technology systems, $65MM in resort maintenance and planning to continue to support the company's commitment to enhance the guest experience. "This past season has proven that our guests are loyal, passionate and looking forward to the many seasons ahead, and we plan to provide them with a premier guest experience as we focus on the long-term future of our mountain destinations," said Rusty Gregory, CEO, Alterra Mountain Company. "Alterra Mountain Company has exceeded our initial five-year goal to invest over half a billion dollars into our destinations, in just four years. We continue to be committed to infusing meaningful capit...
Although winter doesn't officially begin until December 21, the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau (SPJD) is getting an early start to the season by announcing the main components of its winter program, which extends from December 18, 2021 to March 6, 2022. The activities are free and open to all, and they take place in a setting which is a one-of-a-kind playground in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River, a venue easily accessible by subway. Embrace your northern spirit in the heart of the river Whether you are a practitioner of such sports as sliding, cross-country skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking or simply a nature-lover, Parc Jean-Drapeau can accommodate all your interests this winter. While the help of Mother Nature will be needed to set up some of the activities, current forecasts are, fortunately, calling for a mild, snowy winter! As one of the new features this year, Espace 67 boasts an impressive Skaters' Trail, a 500-metre long layout presented by Radio Canada. The magical, ice-c...
Alterra Mountain Company commits to creating a more diverse and inclusive winter sports community and has joined forces with Share Winter Foundation to support their mission to improve the lives, health, and fitness of youth through winter sports. The two industry partners will unite in their joint commitment to equitably evolving and expanding the industry. This unique, multi-year collaboration includes a donation to Share Winter of nearly $4 million in the form of cash and in-kind services, including lessons, lift tickets, equipment rentals, and meal vouchers. Through this donation, thousands of youth participating in Share Winter's partner programs will receive up to four Learn to Ski & Ride programs at 14 of Alterra Mountain Company's North American destinations throughout winter 21/22, resulting in more than 13,000 on snow visits. Graduate packages will be offered following completion of the programs to encourage long-term engagement. Share Winter Foundation is a well-establis...
New for winter 21/22, Ikon Pass introduces Ikon Pass Travel, a travel planning service that offers pass holders the ability to seamlessly explore options and book all aspects of adventure across Ikon Pass destinations. Ikon Pass Travel is a new benefit offered exclusively to Ikon Pass holders. With Ikon Pass Travel, pass holders log into their Ikon Pass account, and are then able to browse and compare airfare, hotels, and activities across Ikon Pass destinations to create a customized travel package. Create a vacation package yourself and book online or be matched with an Ikon Pass Travel specialist. The Ikon Pass Travel specialists have personal knowledge of all 47 Ikon Pass destinations across the Americas, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand and can customize the ideal adventure for any skier or rider based on the pass holder's criteria. "We are excited to offer Ikon Pass Travel exclusively to pass holders and help them easily customize the best adventure possible to their fav...
After careful consideration of the new Provincial Health Order by the government of British Columbia, Blackcomb Mountain will not reopen winter operations when the order is scheduled to lift on April 19th. Whistler Mountain was already scheduled to close on April 19th. "While the Provincial Health Order caught us all by surprise, we fully support the government's direction and we're doing our part to comply. At this time, we believe the best thing we can do to support the order is to begin winding down winter operations," said Geoff Buchheister, VP and Chief Operating Officer of Whistler Blackcomb. "We did not make this decision lightly as we know our employees and our community put so much effort into following our COVID operating guidelines so we could safely operate this season. Our full attention will now turn to getting our resort ready to safely open for summer." All lift reservations, ski school and dining bookings made during this period will be cancelled and the resort will be...
We will begin in the next few weeks the construction of a new building for the members' lockers, the repair shop as well as the demo center of the Sommet Saint-Sauveur's Boutique. Demolition work on the existing building, which is located next to the Sommet Express lift, will begin on April 12, 2021. The new building will replace the old Customer Service building, where it is now located the 'Repair workshop. The new building will house the following services: Member's lockersRepair workshopDemo center Regarding the new members' lockers, these will be on sale from September 2021 only and for the next season. To reassure our customers, all locker holders for the 2019-20 season will have priority reservations. Please do not contact us about this matter before September 2021. No name or waiting list will be taken. We are therefore happy to offer our staff and clients a forward-looking environment by promoting innovation and attractiveness. We are proud to embark on this final phase, which...
Holiday Valley Resort announced last November plans to construct a new chairlift in 2021. The new lift is a state of the art high speed detachable quad chairlift that will replace the fixed grip Yodeler Quad that was built in 2001. The new lift has been purchased from Doppelmayr USA, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Including installation, the cost of the new Yodeler High Speed Quad is $4 million. Many beginner skiers and snowboarders ride the Yodeler lift to return to the base area from the beginner slopes at Tannenbaum and Spruce. The chairs of the new lift will travel uphill at a much faster rate, but they detach from the cable and go slower for loading and unloading, making it much easier for skiers to get on and off the lift. Holiday Valley currently has 3 other detachable chairlifts; Mardi Gras, Tannenbaum and Morning Star. The existing lift will be in service for the rest of the 2020-2021 winter season, but preliminary site work has already begun. The Holiday Valley Mountain Crew ...
Loon Mountain Resort today announced the installation of an eight-place, high-speed bubble chairlift-the first anywhere in the eastern United States and only the second in North America, for the 2020/21 ski season. The Doppelmayr lift will showcase the manufacturer's new D-Line technology, making it the most technologically advanced lift ever installed in the East and one that will provide unrivaled speed and comfort for skiers. "The Kancamagus 8 chairlift will be a leap into the future of skiing for our guests," said Jay Scambio, president and general manager of Loon Mountain Resort. "We are committed to bringing the latest advancements to our guests-this lift is the next example of that, following our first-in-the-world dual-frequency RFID installation." The chairlift project was unveiled to local and regional stakeholders and members of the media as part of the resort's 10-year plan, presented by Scambio earlier today at a community meeting. The state-of-the-art, eight-place chairli...
Vail Resorts, the world's leading ski resort company, today announced a bold price reset of its Epic Pass products to continue to deliver on its commitment of Epic for Everyone and to honor the loyalty of its pass holders. Already regarded as the best value in skiing and riding, the Company's pass prices have been reduced by 20 percent across the board – making it easier for everyone to purchase a pass and, once again, changing everything about how guests access skiing and riding. The price reduction applies to the entire portfolio of the Company's North American pass lineup, including Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass and Epic Day Pass; Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited, Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass and EDGE Cards; Summit Value Pass, Tahoe Local and Value Pass, and Northeast Value and Midweek Pass; Military Epic Pass and Adaptive Pass; and many more. Epic Pass products are now available to purchase at EpicPass.com for the 2021/22 winter season. "The ski industry, our Company and skiers and riders ...
Mont SUTTON announces a second important phase of investments in order to diversify and develop a four season offer while consolidating and improving the skiing product as well. By the end of this phase, more than $10M will have been invested in improvement and development efforts at the mountain, an undertaking by the new ownership since the purchase of Mont SUTTON in 2016. The launch of these new investments has been accelerated thanks to the allocation of nearly $1.8M in financial assistance by the Gouvernement du Québec. This assistance will enable new investments of $5M by 2023 in line with the strategic development plan, in addition to the $5M already invested. All these projects will allow Mont SUTTON to enrich and increase its offer of new distinctive outdoor activities as well as to develop, improve and upgrade some outdoor infrastructures and existing equipment. Increase the tourism offer and stimulate the economy The announcement of the governmental assistance was made today...
The Quebec Ski Areas Association (ASSQ) and its 75 resorts have been given the green light to complete their preparations for the 2020-2021 ski season. Quebec ski areas will have to comply in full with the province's Public Health recommendations, according to the colour of the alert level of their region in order to ensure the safety of winter sports enthusiasts and ski area personnel. The health measures that will apply to ski resorts this winter have been finalized over the last few hours with the Public Health Department in collaboration with government authorities. "The authorities have carefully examined the specifics of our industry and the operational realities of ski resorts. The analytical work has been exceptional. The success of our season now depends on adherence to these measures by the resorts, of course, but also by all of our future visitors. The combined efforts of all stakeholders will allow us to have a great season despite the pandemic," insists Yves Juneau, Presid...
Quebec Premier Francois Legault has requested that all ski areas suspend their operations, for an indefinite period, as of 4pm today. ---- Having heard the call of Quebec Premier François Legault, Quebec ski areas announce that they are suspending their winter activities—skiing, snowboarding, tubing, fatbiking, skitouring, and others—indefinitely starting at 4 pm today."We fully understand the situation. Our industry wants to help to manage this crisis, and we believe that the priority must be public health. We are aware that this decision will weaken the industry's financial performance and will have a major impact on the33,000 people who work in our sector. We are confident that the government will provide the necessary support to the many families and business owners affected by this decision,"declared Yves Juneau, president and CEO of the Quebec Ski Area Association (ASSQ).The ASSQ remains in constant communication with representatives of the Direction de la Santé publique du ...
Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, safety concerns for all personnel, the hazards of remaining equipment left on the slopes, and the desire to inform visitors as quickly as possible, the Quebec Ski Areas Association (ASSQ) confirms that, barring exceptional circumstances, winter activities at Quebec ski areas will not resume this season."Recent developments preclude any resumption of our winter activities. All ski area owners and operators have been significantly affected by the current situation. Not only is the industry suffering financial losses and layoffs resulting from crisis, but now, all communities are impacted" declared Jean-Michel Ryan, president and CEO of Mont Sutton and ASSQ's chairman of the board."Since the crisis began, we have been in constant communication with representatives of the Direction de la santé publique du Québec, Tourism Quebec, the Quebec Tourism Industry Alliance (AITQ), and the crisis managemen...
RESORTS WILL NOT OPERATE SUNDAY, MARCH 15 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 22, WITH FURTHER GUIDANCE TO FOLLOW This has no doubt been an incredibly challenging time. With 37 resorts spread across 15 states and three countries, we – like the rest of the world – have been closely tracking every new development related to coronavirus (COVID-19) and have been in constant contact with local health officials for guidance. Without question, our top priority has been the health and wellbeing of our guests and employees – and to no lesser extent the health and wellbeing of the communities where we operate. We know each decision we make has a broad impact far beyond our operations. With each of those stakeholders in mind and with the most updated information from local health officials, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the operations of all our North American mountain resorts and retail stores beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020 through Sunday, March 22, 2020 and will us...
Today, Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced a series of major capital improvements across its resorts that are designed to make getting on and around its mountains faster and easier through terrain expansions, new lifts and expanded restaurant experiences. The new projects are part of the company's calendar year 2020 capital plan of approximately $210 million to $215 million to enhance the guest experience and scale the company's growing business. This investment builds on the approximately $190 million to $195 million that Vail Resorts is planning to spend on capital improvement projects in calendar year 2019. "We are thrilled to welcome guests to all of our resorts as the 2019/20 North American ski season kicks off with several transformational enhancements to the guest experience – from state-of-the-art snowmaking systems which ensured terrific early season terrain at Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone, to new and improved experiences at Park City, Breckenridge, Okemo, Stevens Pass...