Raising the stakes this year, organizers have tossed out the traditional moguls race in favor of a new type of event, the Banked Slalom, in which skiers, riders and telemarkers compete in skill and against the clock. On a course designed by Nick Roy that covers nearly two kilometers (a mile and a quarter) of intermediate terrain speckled with obstacles, gates, jumps and tight turns, it runs from the summit to the base of the mountain and welcomes individual skiers and snowboarders of all ages. Qualifications are held from noon to 1:30 p.m., and the finals take place at 3:00 p.m.
At day’s end, one of the participants will win an Olympique 41 Ensemble, which includes a pair of limited-edition Rossignol skis with an original vintage design, a period replica ski bag and a book chronicling Rossignol’s history, a total value of $1,300 CAD.
Once the racing is over, it’s at the Summit Chalet where three bands will perform one after the other till the wee hours. First, it’s live at the Pub that revellers will welcome The Charlie Price Band as Rossignol will detail its history of skiing from 1907 to 2007 at a mini-museum, and will reveal its extensive 2007-2008 ski and snowboard line-up in an exclusive preview that also showcases Castelbajac and Pucci outerwear, all in stock at the Le Massif boutique next November.
Afterwards, the entertainment moves over to the Summit Chalet’s Lounge Area, where singer-guitarist Clément Jacques will play his folk compositions, then it's back to the Pub again later for rock band Karma Kameleons playing hits from the 80s.
Skiers and snowboarders can soak up the warm spring sunshine on Le Massif's trails until Easter weekend, when the resort wraps up the ski and ride season on April 9.
