When everything seems to run smoothly, managing a ski resort might appear relatively simple. But what are the real challenges and responsibilities behind each department? Dive into the winter behind the scenes, where your experience at Le Massif de Charlevoix is crafted!
Did You Know?
- Snowmaking operations run for about 45 days, around the clock, for a total of about 1080 hours, with 2 teams of 5 people dedicated solely to this task.
- We spend nearly 240 hours clearing the mountain, in a span of 6 weeks between summer and fall.
- The mountain requires nearly 10 hours of grooming per day, at a rate of 4 groomers simultaneously dedicated to this task.
- Grooming is an art that, much like snowmaking, requires certain conditions.
- Before you even get up, our operations and communication teams are on duty to evaluate the snow conditions and ensure you have the best mountain experience.
- Beyond the operations you may see at a ski resort, we also have land development experts who monitor water runoff and much more.
Mountain Operations
The lift crew, patrollers, ski instructors, mountain guides, sledding guides, guest services team, events, catering, customer services, electricians, building attendants, communications team, administration and food service teams work very early in the morning to ensure that the mountain’s operations run smootly.
Everything is set up so that the guests can have the most unforgettable experience, both on the mountain and at our various service points.
The creation of white gold
Snowmaking has never been more relevant than in recent years. Climate change has led to inconsistent, unpredictable, and, above all, less snowy winters. What happens to the production of white gold? Several factors come into play when it comes to making snow. Geographic location, proximity to the river, sunlight, wind, and humidity are all key determinants in the equation.
The process by which water transforms into snow through pressurized air is called nucleation. The droplets created immediately turn into snowflakes. The longer a snowflake remains suspended in the air, the drier it becomes, resulting in higher-quality snow.
The Cold Window
Several consecutive days of cold weather are necessary to start the snow cannons. Why? The first step of the snowmaking process can take up to 6 hours before continuous production even begins. The same applies to the closing stage. Therefore, good management of energy and water is required. Making snow at temperatures that are too high does not yield the expected results. The volume of snow produced at -2 degrees will be half of that produced at -10 degrees. This is what happens when the snow piles turn yellow.
The sun
The sun plays an important role in the nucleation process. When you see a rainbow in the droplets, it’s never a good sign. The sun warms these droplets, slowing down the snowmaking process.
Humidity
Proximity to the river creates an additional challenge at Massif de Charlevoix. Relative humidity must not be high. Frost is the number one enemy of artificial snow. Even if it’s cold, humidity can prevent the nucleation process.
Winds
Due to the river's proximity, prevailing winds on the mountain complicate our teams’ tasks as they must control everything to ensure that the manufactured snow settles in the right place.
The Work of Snowmaking Operators
This work is performed in extreme conditions on rugged terrain. Long hours are required to cover the mountain in snow, both day and night. "The Flakes," as the operators are nicknamed, sometimes have to deal with water damage in the cold. In the event of a break or power outage, a race against time begins to drain the system of its water before it freezes.
The Art of the Corduroy
Who doesn’t love the sound and feel of skis biting into the perfect corduroy? Snowmaking is an art that requires precision and expertise. Our snowmaking operators work in difficult and often risky conditions.
Darkness, storms or freezing temperatures, microclimate and the rocky soil of the mountain create their fair share of challenges.Vehicles and machinery, as well as maneuvers, must be adapted to our mountain.
The Importance of Clearing Brush
It’s not just the amount of snowfall that matters, but the action of creating a solid base (by avoiding grooming too early in the season) to protect the trails and machinery. When the conditions are favorable, our team makes an initial pass on the trails without grooming to compact the snow and remove any base defects. Only during the next snowfall will a lighter grooming be carried out.
Teams must constantly adapt to the weather fluctuations that affect the skiing conditions. It is particularly impossible to groom sticky snow after a rain event. A drop in temperature (without it being too cold) is necessary to prevent the snow from freezing. Our teams will continuously assess the conditions to avoid damaging the trails and machinery.
Safety first
Ski lifts
Each year, the equivalent of 8 months is spent on the maintenance of the gondola and chairlifts. Eight mechanics work tirelessly for nearly 5,000 hours to ensure you have access to the mountain in all four seasons. They are on site by 6 AM to inspect each lift before the mountain opens. No lift operates until it has been inspected by one of them.
There are many safety systems on a chairlift, including electronic ones. The more safety measures in place, the more likely it is that stoppages may occur. When a stoppage is triggered by an electronic device, one of our mechanics must go on site to inspect the issue before resuming operation. This is a race against time that is systematically conducted according to the rules to take all necessary precautions to avoid major problems.
Dedicated Staff and Guides
In the peak of the season, when the mountain is at its full capacity, in operation 7 days a week, there are 135 employees in place including 11 guides. The need for labor is a real challenge especially with the shortage in Quebec and the remote location of the mountain.To address this gap, volunteer Bell guides lend a helping hand to our teams to ensure the smooth running of our activities. On a voluntary basis, those with the appropriate training can be compensated for working in certain areas, depending on the needs. Their assistance is more than valuable and appreciated by all. The spirit of teamwork among employees is always felt when challenges arise.
The True Artists of the Mountain
Le Massif de Charlevoix is a unique destination prepared year-round by a team of passionate individuals. The goal is on the quality of the experience to create memorable memories for all our guests.
The teams work tirelessly to resolve every issue without the guests noticing. Anything can happen; the unexpected is somewhat the daily bread of our teams. Every employee is a craftsman of their department. We strive for continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainable development to enhance our mountain, our destination, and our territory.