The first heated six-seater chairlift in Canada, a new building at Edelweiss,
and the title of best snow school in North America!
In an effort to provide an optimal experience to its customers, les Sommets has made major investments in preparation for the 2019-2020 ski season.
$8.6M invested at Sommet Saint-Sauveur:
- $7.5M for the Sommet Express chairlift, a new heated seat system for six people. This investment, the largest by the company in 20 years, was made possible with the support of the Quebec tourism ministry’s Programme de soutien aux stratégies de développement touristique. This project will raise the comfort standards for winter sports in Quebec.
- $1.1M for various improvements, such as the purchase of new trail maintenance equipment and the complete replacement of rental equipment
$2M invested at the other ski resorts:
- $1.5M for the construction of a brand-new building attached to the main lodge at Sommet Edelweiss
- $500,000 for various improvements at Sommet Morin Heights, Sommet Olympia and Sommet Gabriel, including new trails and revamped areas to enhance the customer experience.
Number one in North America for learning skiing or snowboarding:
Les Sommets won the prestigious Conversion Cup Challenge from the National Ski Areas Association, which rated its resorts as the very best for those wishing to learn how to ski or snowboard. With this distinction, the les Sommets Snow School is strengthening its position as a leader in the ski industry and a pillar in the training of new skiers. It is the first time in the history of the Conversion Cup Challenge that the trophy has been awarded to a resort outside the United States.
Events:
As the hosts of the largest number of events in a mountain setting, les Sommets offers festivities year-round, with three main events for the 2019-2020 season:
November 30, 2019: New Sommet Express chairlift inauguration and party
December 31, 2019: New Year’s Eve party
February 1, 2020: Les beaux 4 heures (Fondation Martin Matte).
APPENDIX I
Details of improvements for 2019-2020
Sommet Saint-Sauveur
SOMMET EXPRESS CHAIRLIFT ($7.5M)
Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts will be warm on the mountain this winter thanks to the company’s largest investment ever: the installation of a heated, six-seater chairlift at Sommet Saint-Sauveur. Supported by the Quebec tourism ministry’s Programme de soutien aux stratégies de développement touristique, this major project evaluated at over $7.5 million will transform the comfort standards for winter sports in Quebec. The new lift replaces the one known as Atomic Express, which was dismantled last April after 34 years of service.
The Sommet Express at a glance:
- The chair can seat six people.
- It can carry up to 3,000 skiers per hour.
- The seats and backrests are heated.
- The temperature of the seats is adjustable by the station operator at the foot of the hill.
- Ten new pylons were installed to accommodate the new lift.
Other updates:
- Complete replacement of adult rental equipment: ski boots, snowboards and helmets
- New Prinoth Bison snow groomer
- Purchase of recreational modules for the versant Avila school trail
- Renovation of the versant Avila rest area, which will become the “Boîte à lunch”
- Expansion of the VIP room to accommodate more school groups on weekdays and families on weekends
Sommet Morin Heights
- Major investment to improve snow lines and increase snow-making efficiency
- Extension of Flying Dutchman trail
- Replacement of magic carpet lift belt at school trail to ensure a better grip
- Construction of three climbing trails for alpine hiking (4.9 km), adjacent to those already offered by the town of Morin-Heights. The new trails are called KATIA, JOSÉE and EDZIT.
Sommet Gabriel
- New La Merveilleuse trail, on the south side of the mountain, which offers a musical experience
- Renovation of the lodge’s ground floor to accommodate new “one-stop shop” concept (customer service, snow school, rentals and shop)
- Replacement of magic carpet lift belt at school trail to ensure a better grip
Sommet Olympia
- Replacement of T-bar cable at the Olympia trail
- Construction of four different climbing trails for alpine hiking (3.25 km)
- Transformation of Chamonix trail into a play area, including a xylophone and various sliding areas for the entire family
Sommet Edelweiss
New lodge ($1.5M)
This new building, attached to the main lodge’s east side, will include a large, open-plan room over two floors with numerous seats for the comfort of skiers and snowboarders. Large front windows will provide an exceptional view of the mountain and huge glass doors can be opened in the spring to allow access to an outdoor terrace.
- Major renovation of the rental area and replacement of all rental equipment.
APPENDIX II
Recent improvements (last 24 months)
Many improvements have been made over the past 24 months. Here is an overview:
Sommet Saint-Sauveur
- New snow line and the addition of 48 new high-performance guns
- New generation snow groomer with a more eco-friendly engine
- Purchase of a Mercury maintenance robot (skis/snowboards)
- New permanent building: La boîte à ski
- New garage for the ski lift maintenance team
- New, recently designed and built sanitary areas, including a family bathroom
- New reception area enhancing the customer experience and dedicated to rentals (complete renovation of the ground floor)
Versant Avila
- Complete renovation of the sanitary areas at the versant Avila lodge
- Inauguration of six freestyle areas, allowing skiers and snowboarders of all levels – from beginner to expert – to access various modules and terrain
- Addition of an external ski box
- Four new winter tents (yurts) for snow tubing visitors
Sommet Gabriel
- The summit of the southern slope of the mountain now has its own sunny terrace: O’Connell terrace. This rest area offers one of the most spectacular views of the snow-covered Laurentian Mountains in the region.
- Addition of a terrace for parents at the foot of the school trail
Sommet Olympia
- Construction of a parent area called “Le Refuge” at the foot of the school trail
- Complete renovation of the bar at Sommet Olympia. The “Côte-des-Neiges” resto-bar was renamed “Resto-bar KOZAK.”
Sommet Morin Heights
- Complete renovation of the bar, renamed the “Kicking Horse Alpine Resto-bar”
Sommet Edelweiss
- Improvement of the school trail, magic carpet lift and snowmaking system
About les Sommets
Over the years, the les Sommets group has become a leader in the recreational tourism industry thanks to its unique and diversified range of activities throughout the year at just 40 minutes from Montreal. With five ski resorts, 153 trails and six snow schools, les Sommets is the ideal destination for families, couples, friends and groups. It offers the largest night skiing area in the world. In the winter, downhill skiing, snow tubing, camping, an alpine coaster, ziplining, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more offer excitement for all tastes. In the summer, les Sommets welcomes you with the largest mountain water park in Quebec, a campground, a mountain bike park, rides, a miniature golf course, and a tree-to-tree course. What’s more, the group was recognized in 2019 as the best ski school in North America for beginners to learn skiing or snowboarding, receiving the Conversion Cup from the National Ski Areas Association.
To join the les Sommets community:
Sommets.com | facebook.com/SommetSaintSauveur | @sommet_saint_sauveur
-30-
Source and information:
Ariane Lauzon
Marketing brand manager, public relations and communications
Les Sommets
Go to my cart