Sortez des sentiers battus!
When commercial skiing started at Le Massif, no permanent lifts existed, snowmobiles/van then school buses were used to bring skiing from the bottom of the ski runs back to the summit using the road that connected the village of Petite-Rivière-St-François and highway 138 near the summit. There was a master plan to develop the area into a major ski area back in the late 1970s, the Société de développement du Massif de la Petite-Rivière-St-François was created.
Featured this month is probably the first brochure from the school bus era in 1983-84.
Here is the basic information found on the 1983-84 brochure:
– One of the 5 biggest domains of open skiing in Québec;
– three summits;
– two bowls;
– 800 meters vertical;
– 400 to 600cm annual snow accumulation;
– 99km from Quebec City and 405km from Montreal.
– Alpine skiing and telemark on 10 ungroomed trails.
– Lift via buses
– Exceptional scenery of sea and mountains, crazy runs and unique experience…even if the powder isn’t always present.
The price was $26 which included 4 runs (3,200 vertical meters), guide and lunch. Reservations was encouraged. Surcharged for extra runs. Length of descentes was 30 minutes.
The first two permanent lifts would be installed in 1992, the area would have a major terrain expansion in 2001.
Click image to access larger version
Sources:
Historical section on Le Massif website
Le Massif Wikipedia page
Great reminder of good times. I skied there in the spring of ’85 or so, took four runs and paid an extra $15 for the fifth. It was fantastic, great views, great snow and the school bus vibe could not be beat.
I also have the brochure from 1984-85; many extras we’re added. We drove by Le Massif on my first trip at Ste-Anne in March ’85, however I decided against skiing there as I was heavily recuperating from mononucleosis. Thought I better take it easy.
I’m keeping the 1984-85 map for another future installment of Monday’s Attic.
Thanks for this article. I didn’t know that Le Massif was a relative newcomer. It’s great to know the history of ski areas. This is a great way to prepare for my first visit to Le Massif on Thursday.
Have fun. The topography remains the same, the rest has changed pretty much.