photo Courtesy Le Massif

Why You Should Go:
There’s nothing like Le Massif anywhere else in North America. First, you drive to the top of the mountain, which means no lift lines for first tracks on pow days. Second, with Eastern Canada’s greatest vertical drop, Le Massif is so precipitously perched on the banks of the St. Lawrence River that on steeper trails, it feels as if you’re skiing directly into the water. Le Massif is the mountain of choice for the Canadian National Ski Team.

The Lowdown:
Gotta Hit:
La Petite-Riviére isn’t the toughest run on the mountain, but its
continuous pitch will keep you grinning, as will the incredible river views.

Local Knowledge:
Keep an eye on the sky: When Le Grand Duc (The Great Horned Owl) begins circling, locals know a dump is brewing. That’s because the bird only hunts during the day just before big storms.

Off the Beaten Path:
Check out La 42. No grooming, no snowmaking. This is a tough one, but on powder days, you’ll be smirking.

The Deal:
Lodging and ski/ride packages start at a miserly $80 CDN (that’s, um, about $50 bucks US). That includes lodging (duh), a lift ticket and even breakfast.

Getting There:
Located about an hour northeast of Quebec City.

Stats:
Skiable Acres: 240
Vertical Drop: 2,526
Average Annual Snowfall: 252 inches
Tickets: $40 CDN ($29 US)
Contact: 877-536-2774; www.lemassif.com

Last Updated: Feb 24th, 2006 - 14:18:11
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