SAM Magazine—Tremblant, Quebec, June 5, 2018—Mont-Tremblant hosted the Quebec Ski Areas Association annual meeting last week that welcomed a record crowd of 380 attendees from 51 ski areas across the province of Quebec. The province’s ski areas drew more than 6 million skier visits, up 1.4 percent compared to last season despite some challenging weather during traditionally busy times.

“This year’s results are impressive considering the catastrophic Christmas period we endured,” said ASSQ president Yves Juneau. “We ended up with a 25.4 percent decrease for the holiday season. So the overall result being above last year’s number is a remarkable result for us.”

Results varied by region, but all reported increased visitation on the season except for the Quebec City/Charlevoix region, which was down a scant one percent. Otherwise, the Eastern Townships, just north of Vermont, were up 2 percent; the Laurentians—where Tremblant and St.-Sauveur are located—were up 1.4 percent; and Lanaudière’s five ski areas had the greatest increase, up 6.9 percent.

Overall, 58 percent of Quebec’s 75 ski areas ended up with improved results over last year. The ski areas averaged 132 days of operation, three more than 2016-17.

Final season pass sales for the 2017-18 season were up 2.5 percent, with passholders visiting an average of 12 times. Day ticket sales were down by a total of 182,000 tickets.

“Skiing remains an affordable sport in Quebec,” said Juneau. “The average adult weekend ticket price sits at $42 CAN, a huge difference from the U.S.”

Ski school business continues to grow in the province, up 8.9 percent compared to last season, signaling a strong interest in skiing and snowboarding. This is also likely the result of the Quebec Ski Areas Association’s ongoing efforts to actively promote learn-to initiatives.

ASSQ awarded its lifetime achievement award to Tony Dinielli, VP of sales and ski school director at Ski Saint-Bruno. Dinielli has spent the last 35 years in the industry, and oversees Canada’s largest ski school with 550 instructors. According to Juneau, when Dinielli started his career in the industry, Saint-Bruno ski school had just 35 instructors. The ski area now provides 75,000 hours of lessons each winter.