Travel to Le Massif with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Presenting 36 runs for skiers and snowboarders, and a host of shops and surrounding attractions off the slopes, Le Massif ski resort is situated just north of the French-speaking city of Québec, in the region of Charlevoix, with panoramic views over the St Lawrence River.

The resort is well-equipped with facilities of all description, and offers an unforgettable holiday experience both on and off the slopes. Set in the French-speaking area of Québec, it has a distinctly European atmosphere, and the surrounding areas are full of enticing museums, galleries and boutiques that provide plenty of amusement for non-skiers or those taking a break from the slopes.

Although not quite as large as its name suggests, Le Massif nevertheless offers a fair-sized collection of 36 slopes for skiers and snowboarders alike. Slopes predominantly cater to experienced skiers, with only 18 per cent of trails allocated to beginners, in contrast with 39 per cent for intermediates, 22 per cent for advanced and 21 per cent for experts. Five lifts provide access to the pistes, of which the longest is 3.8kms.

The ski season at Le Massif extends from November to April, with optimal snow conditions in February. The most convenient way to reach the resort is by flying to Québec-Jean Lesage International Airport and completing the journey by ski bus, or hiring a car from the airport.

Skiing in Le Massif

Le Massif resort offers superb winter skiing and snowboarding in a beautiful setting, and boasts the highest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies. The resort has runs from beginner level upwards, but experienced skiers will be especially happy here, with 82 per cent of runs aimed at intermediate level and above.

Le Massif offers skiing for all levels of ability, though beginner trails are limited. Of the entire 36 runs encompassed by the resort, novices have only 18 per cent, while intermediates, advanced and expert skiers have 39 per cent, 22 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively.

Transportation to the descents is provided by five lifts with the ability to carry as many as 8,700 people per hour. The longest piste at Le Massif is 3.8kms, but the resort also encompasses 60kms of cross-country trails. Snowboarding is permitted on all pistes and in the resort’s terrain parks.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Le Massif offers a full range of spa treatments and therapies, as well as telemark and sit-ski lessons. There is not much après-ski to speak of other than a few pubs, but Baie-Sainte-Paul and Québec City more than make up for this deficiency.

Le Massif is open for skiing from November to April. Snow machines ensure good snow coverage throughout, but best natural conditions can be experienced in the month of February. Most travellers get to the resort by flying to the international airport at Québec and taking a ski bus from the airport, or renting a car and driving the rest of the way.

Après-ski in Le Massif

Le Massif also presents a variety of alternative relaxing winter activities, including balneotherapy, algotherapy, massages, spas, saunas and pressure therapy. Sit-ski and telemark lessons are yet more recreational options available at the ski resort.

Although no lodging is available in the resort, Le Massif has an impressive range of facilities, including boutiques, sports and ski rental shops, a childcare centre, cafés and pubs. Skiers need not look far to find a bed - hundreds of accommodation options are available in the nearby towns and villages, in bed-and-breakfasts, motels, inns, chalets and villas.

The area surrounding Le Massif ski resort is permeated with interesting sites and is definitely worthy of exploration. The Charlevoix region contains innumerable cultural and historical attractions and shopping opportunities, while the scenery along the St Lawrence River is superb. Particularly of interest is the town of St Irénée, renowned for its river beaches and the music academy Le Domaine.

Transportation in Le Massif

Le Massif ski resort is situated in the Charlevoix region of southern Québec, 90kms northeast of Québec City. The quickest and easiest way to access the resort is to fly to Québec-Jean Lesage International Airport and travel to the resort via ski bus or rental car. Other options for getting to Le Massif are rail transportation or self-drive.

If you are driving from New York, take I-87 towards Montréal and cross the border on to highway 15. Take highway 20 to Québec City and finally highway 138 to Le Massif. The distance between New York and the ski resort is 930kms, and the trip takes between 10 and 11 hours.

From Montréal, take highway 20, which passes through Québec City and continues on to highway 138, leading to Le Massif. The journey covers approximately 340kms and takes roughly four hours.

The nearest major airport to Le Massif is Québec-Jean Lesage International Airport, which receives regular flights from Canada and the US. If you rent a car from the airport, take highways 40 and 138 to access the resort. Le Massif is located 100kms from the airport (1 hour, 30 minutes). Slightly farther away, Montréal’s Dorval Airport has a greater number of flight options.

Canada’s efficient railway system is a convenient way of accessing Québec City from within the country or from the US. Québec receives five trains daily from Toronto, via Montréal, and one train travels daily from New York’s Penn station to Montréal, with regular connections going on to Québec City. Trains also move regularly between Québec City and the Canadian capital, Ottawa. Alternatively, eight Greyhound buses per day (including a night bus) travel from Toronto, via Montréal, to Québec City.

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