Following the news at the start of the month that eastern Canada's largest ski area, Mont Tremblant, had seen record snowfall, a second Quebec ski area has said it has had an all-time record snowfall total for the season.
Massif du Sud said it was approaching a 750cm snowfall total earlier this month, which it said is a record for the province, and that it had also had a 13% increase in its skier numbers daily visitors.
It credited the snowfall, about a mmetre more than other resorts in the region,.to, "…a microclimate thanks to altitude and geographical location."
Luc Skypowder, general manager of the resort lamented the fact that although still fully open they would be fordced to close due to lack of demand,
"We work all season to bring the mountain to its peak, and that's when everyone drops out! And yet, these same people want the mountain to be snow-covered at the end of November, beginning of December… It's the world upside down!" he said.
The last day of the season is scheduled for April 23 (in the last resorts to close in Quebec and in the last 2 in the greater Quebec City region), it would nevertheless be possible to stretch more if the clientele was keen to enjoy winter sports and would be present on the slopes.
"The current conditions would certainly allow us to do so, which is however impossible because we would not be profitable." laments Skypowder, while the daily clientele (including visits from season pass holders) has dropped drastically in recent weeks, despite the abundant snowfall.
But where are the skiers hiding in the spring?
"It's a societal problem in my opinion! shares the general manager, a career man in the ski industry. Currently, Quebecers are planning their summer vacations, bike shops are overwhelmed, cars can wear summer tires since March 15, and yet… The snow continues to accumulate on the mountains of Quebec!"