Winter preparation at .e Massif de Charlevoix begins long before the first snow falls, starting with clearing the trails! The teams are already on site even before the summer season ends. Discover the importance of the work currently taking place on the mountain..
What is the purpose of trail clearing?
Trail clearing is an important step in preparation for the winter season. This maintenance work helps ensure better ground conditions to welcome the first snowfall, whether natural or artificial.
Skier and snowboarders safety
Trail clearing helps prevent hazards early in the season when snow is still scarce. The teams on site then verify the work completed, making sure to bury stumps and remove any rocks as necessary.
Skiing earlier in the season
Brush clearing makes it possible to ski earlier in the season since the slopes require less snow coverage. It also allows for skiing later in the spring, as the snow that falls early in the season quickly covers the ground. In short, it ensures great skiing conditions for you!
A machine designed by our teams
Almost all the trails in our ski area are groomed by a snowcat specially adapted by our mountain operations team, with the help of engineers.
This snowcat, equipped with an agricultural-style mower at the front, is twice as efficient and saves valuable time for the teams. Instead of blades, the use of chains increases durability in case of impacts with rocks during grooming. Additionally, a hydraulic drive system paired with the snowcat assists in leveling uneven trail bases.
Clearing the largest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies
Working on the trails with a snowcat is more labor-intensive in the fall than in winter. But this doesn’t stop our teams, who know the terrain almost by heart. Some trails have significant rocky outcrops and irregularities that are hard to see in winter. Clearing these trails is a real human and technical challenge, sometimes requiring manual mowing, just like the underbrush. This work will allow enthusiasts to ski them earlier in the season, safely.
