Massif du Sud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Le Massif du Sud |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice-de-Buckland, Quebec, Canada |
| Nearest city | Quebec City, 90 km (56 mi) |
| Coordinates | 46°36′51″N 70°29′7″W / 46.61417°N 70.48528°W |
| Vertical | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
| Top elevation | 915 m (3,002 ft) |
| Base elevation | 515 m (1,690 ft) |
| Skiable area | 90 acres (36 ha) |
| Runs | 17 total 14% Easy 17% Intermediate 31% Difficult 38% Extremely difficult |
| Longest run | 3.5 km (2.2 mi) |
| Lift system | 2 total 1 quad 1 surface lift |
| Lift capacity | 1,600 skiers/hr |
| Snowfall | 600 cm (236 in, 19.5 feet) |
| Night skiing | no |
| Website | Massif du Sud |
The Massif du Sud is an awesome ski mountain located about 90 kilometers (about 56 miles) southeast of Quebec City, Canada. It's part of a beautiful park that shares its name, the Parc du Massif du Sud. This place is known for its amazing natural snow and fun outdoor activities all year round!
Contents
Discovering Massif du Sud
The Massif du Sud is nestled between the villages of Saint-Damien-de-Buckland and Saint-Philémon in a region called Bellechasse, in Québec, Canada.
What Makes It Special?
Many people sometimes mix up the Massif du Sud with another ski area called Le Massif. But the Massif du Sud is famous for its incredible natural snow and its "glades." Glades are special ski trails that go through trees, offering a unique and exciting experience!
Even though it's the highest ski mountain in the Quebec City area, it doesn't have the biggest "vertical drop." This is because its base (the bottom of the mountain) is already quite high up, at 515 meters (about 1,690 feet).
Winter Fun Beyond Skiing
Besides downhill skiing, the Massif du Sud offers lots of other winter adventures. You can explore over 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) of trails for cross-country skiing. There are also 20 kilometers (about 12.4 miles) of trails perfect for snowshoeing, which is a great way to walk on snow!
Summer Adventures
When the snow melts, the fun doesn't stop! In summer, the Massif du Sud is a fantastic place for hiking. It has more than 92 kilometers (about 57 miles) of hiking trails. Plus, there are 46 kilometers (about 28.5 miles) of "multifunctional trails" where you can ride bikes or even go horseback riding.
A Look at Its History
The Massif du Sud first opened its slopes in 1989. Since then, it has had a few different owners, each adding their own touch to the mountain.
Unique Skiing Experiences
Building on its fame for backcountry glades, the resort offers a special "snowcat-skiing" adventure. A snowcat is a large vehicle that takes skiers into untouched areas of the mountain. In 2011, they even introduced heliskiing! This is super rare, as Massif du Sud is the only resort in eastern North America to offer heliskiing, where a helicopter drops skiers off at the top of remote, snowy peaks.
Fun Facts About Massif du Sud
- The Massif du Sud has a cool slogan: "Le secret le mieux gardé." This means "The Best Kept Secret" in English.
- During January and February, the mountain is closed from Monday to Thursday. This means that when Friday rolls around, the snow conditions are usually absolutely amazing because the slopes have had time to rest and gather fresh snow!
- The closest neighbor to the Massif du Sud is another mountain called Mont Orignal.
