Mont Sauvage is part of the long list of “lost” Laurentians ski areas. The Val-Morin ski area was in operation from 1958 to 1997. Mont Sauvage was perhaps better known for its nightlife at l’Auberge du Mont-Sauvage than for the skiing itself. I don’t recall if I ever skied Mont Sauvage in the early 1970s, but I do recall its reputation and a particular unforgettable party I had there in the early 1980s.
The ski area had a vertical drop of 171 meters with 10 ski runs when it closed. Located amongst in an area with a high numbers of ski area family ski centres, Mont Sauvage ceased operations in 1997.
Now in the last year, there is a real estate project on the mountain selling Via Sauvagia as a private ski-in ski-out ski area. According to the Lots map, it would seem that some of the past trails would make way for homes. I doubt that people buying real estate will concentrate their skiing at the new Mont Sauvage and buy into Sauvagia for the skiing alone.
Development at Mont Sauvage sounds somewhat similar to previous plans at the Eastern Townships lost ski area of Mont Glen or Vermont’s Haystack reopening, however Mont Sauvage is definitely a modest hill in comparison.
From the Via Sauvagia website:
Ski-in, ski-out anytime / The former Mont Sauvage ski resort will gradually be restored for the exclusive use of Via Sauvagia residents. The first trails are slated to open in the winter of 2012-2013. When work on the resort is completed, there will be seven downhill ski and snowboard trails, including three groomed trails and four glade trails for powder fans. With 22 acres of skiable terrain, the slopes benefit from a 171-metre (561-foot) drop. Thanks to a tapering incline, there are trails for all levels of skiers and boarders. The trails will be served by two lifts. A T-bar lift that goes to the summit and, for younger skiers, a cable-pull lift that stops mid-mountain.
Here is the Mont Sauvage brochure from 1980-81 when the hill was open only Friday, weekends at Holidays. Skiing would cost $8 on weekend and $3 on Friday. Vertical Drop of 550′ served by a short 750′ T-Bar and two top to bottom 2200′ parallel T-Bars servicing 9 trails.
Sources:
Zoneski
Via Sauvagia project
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