Petite-Rivière-St.-François (QC), Canada – Groupe Le Massif this week unveiled plans for a series of improvements scheduled for construction this summer at Massif de Charlevoix, highlighted by a new eight-passenger high-speed gondola, four new trails, a novice area with its own chairlift and conveyor lift, as well as the expansion of the Quebec ski area’s Mont à Liguori off-piste sector. All told, ski resort enhancements announced this summer represent a CAN $16 million investment.nPresident and General Manager of Groupe Le Massif, Daniel Gauthier, was accompanied at this week’s press conference by the ski area’s general manager, Pierre Raymond, and mountain spokesperson Jean-Luc Brassard.

The new Doppelmayr gondola, which is expected to be completed by December 2010, is expected to relieve crowding at the ski area’s base.

“On top of offering increased comfort to our
clientele, its loading station is to be located east of the Grande-Pointe Express Lift, on a section of mountain earmarked for two new beginner trails,” Gauthier said. “As well, the mid-station of this new lift will offer another loading area mid-mountain, which will help reduce congestion at the base.”

Midstations on both the existing Grande-Pointe Express chairlift and the new gondola allow skiing and riding on Le Massif’s upper mountain only, for times early and late in the season when the lower mountain lacks sufficient cover.

“This lift is the first intermodal link between Le Massif de Charlevoix’s three environments,” Gauthier added. “It will soon convey visitors from the summit to the base of the mountain, towards La Ferme in Baie-Saint-Paul and the Québec City-La Malbaie
rail link.”

The integration of a gondola with a loading area on the mountain’s eastern flank brings about the expansion of the existing Mont à Liguori off-piste sector. Work will commence this summer from to give skiers and riders increased summit-to-base access to this zone, which leads directly to the new lift’s loading area.

Gauthier also announced the integration of a new novice sector located at the summit.

“We’re referring to four hectares with natural snow coverage and a gentle incline specifically developed with beginners in mind,” he explained. “Two new trails, a regular lift and a conveyor lift will all create a safe environment that is conducive to
learning our favorite slide sports. Of note for riders, this lift will also serve the terrain park.”

All told, Le Massif de Charlevoix represents a C$230 million investment in tourism in the Charlevoix Region east of Québec City, spanning from Baie-Saint-Paul to Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. In addition to the Le Massif ski area, the project includes a tourist train connecting the ski area to Québec City and rail shuttle to Baie-Saint-Paul, close to 400 lodging units including a 150-room hotel, as well as a 500-seat multifunctional venue.