Le Massif over Xmas; How's the snowmaking?

Brklynskier

We do a large family ski trip over the Christmas break. We are thinking of going to Le Massif this year. Any thoughts on what conditions are like early season, and how is their snowmaking?
Any other thoughts / comments / suggestions are welcome.

joshua_segal

Brklynskier;d-4611 wroteWe do a large family ski trip over the Christmas break. We are thinking of going to Le Massif this year. Any thoughts on what conditions are like early season, and how is their snowmaking?
Any other thoughts / comments / suggestions are welcome.

I think that Le Massif is one of the best 5-ski areas in the east, but it rarely makes the popularity lists because if you don't live in or near Quebec City, it is a really long drive.

I wouldn't drive that far for Christmas week. If you're going to travel that far, you want to be there when Mt. Ligori (side-country) is open as well as "The 42". I doubt that the really good stuff will be in play by Christmas

NewEnglandSkier13

Which Le Massif are you talking about? Le Massif du Sud or Le Massif de Charlevoix? I've heard great things about both.

lotsoskiing

NewEnglandSkier13;c-69852 wroteWhich Le Massif are you talking about? Le Massif du Sud or Le Massif de Charlevoix? I've heard great things about both.

The former has no "Le", so the latter I would guess. https://massifdusud.net/fr/

Agreed on reviews of both.

Brklynskier

Le Massif de Charlevoix

ski_it

AI says good. 70% coverage 716 cannons 10 person team
https://www.lemassif.com/en/blog/behind-the-scenes-of-our-winter-operations

Snow depth chart https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/le-massif-de-charlevoix/test-result/snow-reliability/

lotsoskiing

30-40 cm by Jan. 2 is pretty thin, no?

ski_it

300-400 mm sounds better. Was that last season?

lotsoskiing

ski_it;c-69858 wrote300-400 mm sounds better. Was that last season?

Or 12-15 inches. Sounds dicey. i was just looking at the graph; can't figure out how to use site to see what other eastern areas have then

Bkroon9175

I have done Le Massif over February school vacations and it was great. Not sure I would drive that far for Christmas break.

TomWhite

I'm posting this before viewing it. I've only been there in the summer. I did look impressive.

We Found The Best Ski Resort in The East – And It’s Not Even Close
PeakRankings
80K views 5 months ago LE MASSIF DE CHARLEVOIX
An in-depth video review of Le Massif de Charlevoix, a ski area in Quebec, Canada overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Filmed in March 2024.

ski_it

The OP is asking how good the snowmaking is. It’s sounding like they will have to tell us this Xmas. Go for it!!
The resort website talks about The Importance of Clearing Brush.
IIRC Carinthia had similar policy or beyond, to make the trails as smooth as possible before snow fell.
Less base required to ski

lotsoskiing

Vid will not play

joshua_segal

As far as the video not playing, I got a cross reference to YouTube and it worked just fine. I thought the video was excellent and gave a really good overview of the ski area. I agree 100% that it is probably the best ski area east of the Mississippi.

The one thing that the video missed is the incredibly steep triple diamond called the Charlevoix. It is the scariest run I’ve ever been on. Right next to it is the 42. It’s one of the best mogul runs rivaling anything the front four at Stowe have to offer. And lastly, the off piste area, is really as good as the video shows.

Brklynskier

All,
Thank you for all of your input. It looks like the family has decided to go to VT for Christmas. Hoping to do Le Massif at a later date.

lotsoskiing

joshua_segal;c-69869 wroteAs far as the video not playing, I got a cross reference to YouTube and it worked just fine. I thought the video was excellent and gave a really good overview of the ski area. I agree 100% that it is probably the best ski area east of the Mississippi.

The one thing that the video missed is the incredibly steep triple diamond called the Charlevoix. It is the scariest run I’ve ever been on. Right next to it is the 42. It’s one of the best mogul runs rivaling anything the front four at Stowe have to offer. And lastly, the off piste area, is really as good as the video shows.

Charlevoix is crazy steep. Was (is?) a FIS downhill trail developed for the Quebec Olympic bid. I think part of it they close off b/c of the pitch.

ski_it

joshua_segal;c-69869 wrote I agree 100% that it is probably the best ski area east of the Mississippi.

Really? Wow that's saying something. But it isn't east of the Mississippi. Well, due east anyways. North end of Lake Itasca 47.24°N. South end of LM de C 47.27°N :)