Petite-Rivière-St.-François (QC), Canada – – As skiers and snowboarders were enjoying their last turns this past Sunday at Le Massif de Charlevoix, the Quebec ski resort was tallying visits that represent a record season, improving 13% on last year’s attendance and 8% on the previous record set in 2007-08.nSki area officials credit good weather, abundant snowfall, a focus on services and sustained marketing blitzes for the season’s performance over 118 days of operation this winter. Season snowfall totaled 615cm (242 in.). Pierre Raymond, Le Massif de Charlevoix’s general manager, was particularly grateful for snowstorms just before Christmas and the March school break.

“Once again, the 615 centimeters registered on the precipitations chart confirm our reputation as a premier destination for natural snow,” stated Raymond. “Over two meters of snow fell in December alone – with more than half recorded between December 23 and 27. Over and above this, 146 cm arrived late February, allowing us to offer prime conditions during the March Break period.”

Over CAN $16 million will be invested in the ski area this summer, highlighted by a base-to-summit gondola.

“With growth like this, upgrades are required to relieve bottlenecks noted at the base on days when attendance is high,” explained Raymond, reiterating that guest experience remains the focal point among his troops. In addition to the new eight-passenger gondola, this summer will see four new trails, a new novice sector with a chairlift and conveyor lift for beginners, and expansion in the Mont à Liguori off-piste sector ready to greet skiers and riders next winter.