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Le Massif de Charlevoix - 3/15/2013
- Thread starter snowmonster
- Start date
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
I'm headed to Jay Peak in early April, but toying with the idea of just doing 1 day at Jay and then heading to Le Massif instead. Absolutely shocked at how inexpensive the hotels/inns in Baie-st.paul and other little hamlets near the mountain are.
Anyone know if the April 7th closing on their website is "firm" or if they'll stay open later since it appears there will be plenty of snow left?
Anyone know if the April 7th closing on their website is "firm" or if they'll stay open later since it appears there will be plenty of snow left?
ScottySkis
Well-known member
In the Jay thread, their closing for construction on lodge so I think that date is unfortunately set in stone.
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
I'm talking about when Le Massif closes, not when Jay Peak closes (and Jay Peak isnt closing until late April, not early April).
snowmonster
New member
From what I heard on the hill, it's not unusual for Le Massif to close with lots of snow on the ground (I should have taken a photo of the snowbanks around Le Massif's parking lot. They tower over the cars). I would treat their April 7 closing date like a firm date and get there as soon as I can. If you get to Baie St. Paul, I recommend the restaurant in front of St. Jean Baptiste church in the middle of town. Have a Dominus Vobiscum stout (brewed in town) and watch your world spin.
And, yes, I expect Jay to keep the lifts spinning into May. The race for the King of Spring is afoot!
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
Did some more research and am considering JP on April 1, and then LM April 3+4.
But what of Sainte Anne? Is it worth skiing each for 1 day, or is Le Massif so far superior that I may as well do both days there?
EDIT: Vert is stated as 2050 feet, so I imagine it's decent.
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snowmonster
New member
^ Mont Sainte Anne is more than decent. I suggest you check it out too. I think they will remain open until end of April. I did a TR on it too.
steamboat1
New member
If I return, I'd combo Le Massif de Charlevoix with Le Massif du Sud and perhaps Mont Grand-Fonds in Malbaie. Le Valinouet and Le Relais are also on the Quebec hit list. I'm falling in love with this region.[/QUOTE]
Curious as to why Stoneham is not on your list.
Curious as to why Stoneham is not on your list.
snowmonster
New member
From what I've read, Stoneham seems to be a smaller mountain with not much variety. It seems like a smaller version of Mont Sainte Anne. If my impression is wrong, let me know.
steamboat1
New member
Well it's certainly considerably larger than Le Massif du Sud & Le Rolais which are on your hit list. I'm not familiar with the other two. Stoneham is three separate mountains each with it's own character, I'd say that's variety. I'd definitely add it to your hit list. They often see better snow conditions being it's not close to the seaway like LM & SA are. It doesn't get the hard mist frozen snow on the bottom like LM does & to a lesser extent SA. I haven't been up that way in several years but have made a 1/2 dozen trips up to the QC area in the past.
snowmonster
New member
I'm attracted to Massif du Sud because of the off-piste skiing. Any place that advertises cat skiing AND heli-skiing intrigues me. As for Le Relais, I'm into ski history and it's role in Quebec skiing intrigues me. Thanks for the beta on Stoneham. Perhaps I should look into it again.
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
Paying walk-up rate is against my religion. Does anyone know of any tricks/deals or BOGOs for MSA or LM?
While investigating hotel/condo "packages" today, they seemed like scams when I broke it out. Often the "lift ticket(s) included" with your stay were basically the same as just buying from the resort or maybe a very tiny savings that IMO isnt worth the advanced purchase risk.
I do every time I leave Vermont for Montreal.
I also do this every time I leave New Jersey for ski country. I paid $3.34 today in NJ, versus $3.84 Sunday in NY. That's a whopping $9 difference on every tank of gas! :-o
MadPatSki
Member
Au contraire, its the opposite. Le Relais is a small hill, but very commercial (closest to QC City - although all areas are fairly close, except Massif), Stoneham has much more to offer. But not as much as MSA and Massif.
snowmonster
New member
^Thanks for the info, madpat. Someday, if I make it back to QC, le Relais is on the hit list. Actually, thanks for all the beta on ski areas in L'Estrie and Quebec City. I could not have done it without your advice.
By the way, I was looking at a website on the Chic Chocs. Looks like the ski season there goes into May and beyond. Interesting...
By the way, I was looking at a website on the Chic Chocs. Looks like the ski season there goes into May and beyond. Interesting...
MadPatSki
Member
Thanks SM,
Le Relais has its place in history as it is very close to QCity. For the area, it might be similar to Cranmore. Ste-Anne had skiing, but didn't have lifts until 1966. There were a bunch of other smaller ski areas near Lac Beauport.
CC:
IF I get time, I'd like to repost on Ski Mad World one old TR from May 2009 in the Chic Chocs. There are so many old TRs still left unposted.
steamboat1
New member
A question for MadPatSki. There is a hotel near Le Rolais that had night ice skating on a big oval on a lake (probably at least a mile). Do you know the name of the hotel off hand? I can't remember the name of the hotel but do remember skating there one evening. It was very popular with the locals as there were quite a few people there the night I skated.
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