Le Massif

[x10003q]

I skied Le Massif and Mt St Anne about 10 years ago with my wife. We stayed in Quebec City in the Chateau Frontenac. Le Massif was about 45 minutes drive from QC and we parked at the top. It was the end of March and it was about 10F with mixed snow showers and sun when we were skiing. There were a lot of very wide blue trails with some steeper trails mixed in. There were 2 long HSQ and the downhill course was closed. A few trails at the top (skiers left) that had some bumps and powder with the FGQ. The views were unique and always interesting. The food was beyond amazing. We also skied Mt St Anne which was about 25 minutes from QC. It too had amazing views of the St Lawrence and superb food. The backside of Mt St Anne faces empty wilderness except for the Hydro Quebec power lines. Staying in QC was part of the fun. We wanted to try Stoneham but did not get the chance.

If you ever get the chance to ski out of QC grab it. It is worth the drive.

 

[MadPatSki]

"on a plunge down the 65 degree trail, while I joined a less ambitious group down a single diamond."

Where do they come up with this rubbish?

Having skied La Charlevoix, I would say that someone confusion between % and degrees.

On my list though I could care less about how they assign difficulty ratings. Just seems like a place that every dedicated east coaster should check out at least once.

THIS. The place and the setting is very different from the rest of the Eastern ski areas.

If you plan a trip to Le Massif do not pass up Mont Sainte Anne. I like them both almost equally and Sainte Anne has a ton of long, straight, steep bump runs down the front...plenty of glades and cruisers too.

Although not as different from the others Eastern major ski areas, I prefer MSA topography and runs. Only Quebec area I would include in the middle of the Eastern Top 10 areas (based on skiing and terrain). I placed Tremblant. Massif just outside of my top 10 and no other Quebec in the top10.

I found the conditions to be top shelf in terms of standard East Coast fare. I heard they get little in relative terms thaws or rain which lets the snow hold..

Agree

I Dont get me wrong its a good run, with consistent vertical, but triple black diamond? Nah, not on something that wide open.

I've skied that trail once since it was blasted wideopen (run no. 42 was a classic of classic and probably one of the top expert run in the East until 2001). That run was often closed and used for training for speed events. There is a reason wide its a triple black, because if its open after a time they used it for training, you'll need razor edges and good skill not to side out of control.

NIce pics. The Canadian Shield is what they call the land mass that tumbles down to the St Lawrence there at Le Massif. I first read about the place and wanted to go when they had the busses... back in 1990 I believe, but I knew my wife was not a good enough skier to deal with it.

The Canadian Shield covers two-thirds of Canada from Manitoba to Quebec. The Charlevoix is a bloc formation (I can't remember what its called).

Yes, all the way around, same bobsled course road you'd take today to get to the base area. If I remember right you were able to do maybe 4 or 5 runs a day.

Correct. In the 1980s you had the options between having 4 or 5 runs. I have two brochures at home from those years. I almost made it, but had been sick and we stayed at MSA.

Parking at the top is a bonus when you're skiing in the pre-season:

October 2008
http://madpatski.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/le-massif-qc-oct-23-08-dusting-or-massif/

 

[steamboat1]

I've skied that trail once since it was blasted wideopen (run no. 42 was a classic of classic and probably one of the top expert run in the East until 2001). That run was often closed and used for training for speed events. There is a reason wide its a triple black, because if its open after a time they used it for training, you'll need razor edges and good skill not to side out of control.
]

Hah but you didn't ski it before lifts were installed. Even after they put in the 1st HSQ you had to hoof & skate almost a 1/2 mile across the top ridge to reach the top of the trail ( with a guide of course).

It was au natural then & bumped up most of the way down.

Sweet trail back then. Went on for what seemed like forever.

 

[MadPatSki]

Hah but you didn't ski it before lifts were installed. Even after they put in the 1st HSQ you had to hoof & skate almost a 1/2 mile across the top ridge to reach the top of the trail ( with a guide of course).

It was au natural then & bumped up most of the way down.

Sweet trail back then.

Ah ha...I did ski it prior to its destruction (when they built La Charlevoix). Yes, I've hoofed & pushed that 1/2 mile prior to 2002, no guide necessary.

Yes, it was a classic.

 

[steamboat1]

Ah ha...I did ski it prior to its destruction (when they built La Charlevoix). Yes, I've hoofed & pushed that 1/2 mile prior to 2002, no guide necessary.

But...but...but... there was a sign at the top saying you needed one......

 

[deadheadskier]

If you ever get the chance to ski out of QC grab it. It is worth the drive.

Quebec City is my favorite city that I've been to in North America. You really feel like you're in Europe when you're there. I imagine a ski vacation based out of there would be fantastic, especially staying where you did at the Chateau.

 

[MadPatSki]

But...but...but... there was a sign at the top saying you needed one......

What sign? I didn't see one saying that? Maybe your French isn't that good?