Tony Crocker":oko7tt58 said:
Many of those pics could be easily mistaken for Interior BC backcountry. There is less and less doubt in my mind that the Chic-Chocs have conspicuously the best combination of snow and terrain in the East. It seems a waste that no one can or even wants to develop a major league ski resort out there somewhere.
Couple of points.
James mentioned that the region is mostly economy is mostly ressources (fish, forest, mines) and tourism in the Summer time. Region has been losing people for years.
Chic Chocs definitely have a good combination snow and terrain. There was even a heli-skiing operator that lasted for 1-2 years back in the early-mid 80s.
James is correct in pointing out the geographical aspect of the place. There is a remote area with little population. The closest population metropolitan area is Quebec City (650k) which is maybe 4-5 hours away. Add an extra 2.5 for Montreal. The whole population of New Brunswick in maybe 700k and is hightly concentrated in the south. The economic and geography speaks again it.
The Quebec government has help in the creation of ski areas in the late 80 and early 90 in some economically depressed regions. Pin Rouge on the south side of the Gaspe Peninsula, Mont Edouard in the Saguenay and, I believe, Le Massif when it went off the ground as a lift serviced area. Some of these areas have had difficulties, even if they have been less remote areas. All these are highly quality areas. If you created this massive ski area, won't you hurt some of these? Especially nice areas (not mole hill areas) like Pin Rouge and Val d'Irene? The argument about attracting people from outside of the province doesn't necessarily work, there is no major airport (less than Corner Brook, Newfoundland).
Le Massif was suppose to be the next big ski resort in the East and attract a whole lot of tourist to it. It has attracted tourist, but not to what they imagined 20 years ago plus it probably hurt Ste-Anne and Grand Fonds (the region local hill). Grand Fonds has been asking for government funds to stay alive.
There is also the ski industry demographic playing against new ski area. Mt. Miller is outside of the park, okay the terrain isn't great compare to the park, but if something that can happen in the region, it would be here. Snow definitely look plentiful from Bendude and last year's report from Lucky Luke.
Most of the Chic Chocs are located in the Gaspe Provincial park and are protected. The high plateaux also have the only population of cariboos south of Northern Quebec and is a very sensitive ecological area. Government has been promoting ecotourism (low impact), for hiking, backcountry and cross-country skiing.
