the Solid mass is a center of ski which overhangs the Fleuve the St. Lawrence with Small-River-Saint-François, 70 km in the North-East of the town of Quebec, Canada in the area of Charlevoix.

Description

The Solid mass is located near the village of Small-River-Saint-François at 75 minutes of road of Quebec. The station has highest uneven in the East of Canada, but not in North America. This honor returns to Whiteface Mountain, New York.

The Solid mass is characterized by the fact that it is accessible at the same time by the top and the base. There are three tops but only two are exploited at present.

The Solid mass receives much snow and little rain for a sation East. Abundant natural snowing up makes so that it is not rare to count more than 240 cm of snow compacted in the tracks at the top. On the other hand, the base of the station being close to the sea level, the thickness of snow decreases quickly when spring is felt.

History

It is at the end of the years '70 that the first skiers descend the slopes of the Solid mass whereas motoneiges tow the skiers of road 138 until the top. The commercial exploitation begins in the years '80. With school buses then deal to go up the skiers after each descent. In 1992-1993, the first ski lift is put in operation.

In 2001 a new road is built in order to connect road 138 to the top of the mountain. This road brings closer the station to only 70 km to Quebec whereas it was previously necessary to traverse 95 km to reach the base of the mountain while passing by the village of Small-River-Saint-François.

Daniel Gauthier, cofounder of the Circus of the Sun, buys the Solid mass in 2002 after with the sale his participation in the Circus of the Sun.

Development

Always a high-place of the ski, but facing a growing custom, the Solid mass is at present at a revolving point of its history. A major development, the project Territory the Solid mass, is started at present. Part of the financing comes from the governments federal and provincial. This project will allow in particular the development of the skiable field third top.

The project implies new investments from some 180 M$, which are added to the 50 M$ already spent. While respecting the exceptional environment of the area of Charlevoix, it aims at transforming the mountain and its surroundings into destination four seasons. The project is made of three large blocks:

• the Farm: Hotel and activities with Bay-Saint-Paul, on the site of a farm set fire to in 2007.

• the Base: Lodging, activities and services at the base of the Solid mass, near the village of Small-River-Saint-François.
• Peaks: Lodging, activities and services at the top of the Solid mass.

External bonds

• the Solid mass
• One The Snow Blurb
• Article At First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine
• Territory Solid mass - Master line