Parc du Mont-Comi facts for kids

Parc du Mont-Comi is a fun outdoor center in St-Donat, Quebec. It's a great place for adventures all year round! In winter, it's a popular ski resort. When summer comes, you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking. In the fall, you can even take a scenic chairlift ride or go mountain biking on cool trails.

The Story of Mont-Comi

Parc du Mont-Comi first opened on January 17, 1973. But before that, a group of people worked hard to make it happen. In 1967, they formed a special group to create the park. They asked people to donate money to help buy the land. This land was on a mountain originally called "Mont Camille."

At first, they didn't have enough money for fancy equipment. So, they asked snowmobilers to help! These snowmobilers would drag tree trunks across the slopes to smooth them out. It wasn't perfect, but it helped! Later, they borrowed money to buy a "Muskeg" machine. This machine helped groom the slopes better using farm rollers.

In 1972, the park got its first mechanical lift. It was a T-Bar lift for the beginner slopes. A year later, in the fall of 1973, they added the first chairlift. This also opened up five new ski runs.

When Mont-Comi first opened in 1973, it had a budget of about $85,000. They had six employees working there. A day pass for an adult cost only $2.50, and students paid $1.50. By the 1980s, the park's budget grew a lot, reaching about 1.3 million dollars!

A Second Chance for the Mountain

In May 1998, the company that owned Parc du Mont-Comi faced a big problem. They had too much debt and had to close down. But the mountain got a second chance! In September 1998, Mr. Denis Roussel and his brothers bought the park.

Mr. Roussel knew the mountain very well. He had worked at Parc du Mont-Comi since he was 15 years old! He started as a chairlift operator and later became the Director of Mountain Operations. He grew up right at the base of the mountain. His father, Xavier Roussel, even owned the land around Mont-Comi. Because he loved the mountain so much, Mr. Roussel decided to save it and give it a new beginning.

Ski Boom Party

Since 1973, Parc du Mont-Comi has hosted a super fun annual party called the Ski Boom. It happens every year on the Saturday before Easter weekend. The best part is that all skiers dress up in costumes! There's even a costume contest. Many other exciting activities happen throughout the day, making it a memorable event.

Ski Runs and Trails

Parc du Mont-Comi has 26 ski runs that are regularly maintained. It also has 5 special trails for backcountry skiing. One of its most famous runs is called "Le Mur" (The Wall). It's quite steep, with a slope of 35 degrees! The park does not offer night skiing.

Telemark Skiing Fun

The Telemark club at Mont-Comi has been around for a long time, celebrating its 24th season in 2006-2007. This club helps people who love Telemark skiing connect with each other. They also support the growth of this unique style of skiing. The club keeps things simple with a coordinator and a few people who organize activities.

Telemark Festival

The Telemark club also puts on one of the biggest Telemark festivals in Eastern Canada! This festival offers special classes (called clinics) where you can learn different skills. You can learn how to ski on moguls (bumps) or how to ski off-trail. There are also clinics for beginners who just want to try Telemark skiing for a weekend. It's a great way to discover a new sport!