Rivière-du-Loup, June 1, 2017 The 2017 edition of the Quebec Ski Congress concluded on juin 1 with great success thanks to the presence of more than 225 industry players and fruitful exchanges that took place under the theme “a winter economic engine”.

Unveiling of the first results of the 2016-2017 season

The conference was the scene of workshops on various topics, including the unveiling of the study by Michel Archambault, Professor Emeritus of the School of Tourism Management Sciences at UQAM, who presented the preliminary results. of the economic and financial study of the 2016-2017 season, indicating that attendance at ski resorts reached more than 6 million days / ski for last season, a spectacular increase in annual ridership of 16% compared to the previous year. It should be noted that all the regions of Québec concluded the last winter season with an increase in attendance, a first in the last 5 years.

Current topics in the program

Among the topics covered in conferences and workshops, let us highlight Martin Soucy’s appreciated passage from the Tourism Industry Alliance of Quebec (AITQ), who spoke on major global tourism trends and presented Québec’s approach to attracting visitors in the beautiful province. In addition, Messrs. Éric Filion and Joël Fontaine, of Hydro-Québec, presented the state corporation’s action plan for improving the energy performance of ski resorts. This conference, because of the diversity of its offer, was also an opportunity for all players involved in skiing in Quebec to propel themselves to new heights.

Gala of Excellence

The conference is also an opportunity to recognize the remarkable work of members of the ski industry. This year, the Réal Boulanger Award, the industry’s highest honor to a personality whose achievements have contributed in a very exceptional way to showcasing the ski industry, was awarded to Mr. Germain Barrette , Director of Operations at Mont-Comi Park and International Technical Delegate of the International Ski Federation.

In addition to this award, the QSSA took advantage of the evening to award three other awards for excellence in succession :

• New Skiers Development Program: Mont Orford Ski and Golf Corporation.
• Managers of the succession :
• Isabelle Gagnon, Sport and Outdoor Division Manager, Saint-Georges Ski Center
• Guillaume Molaison, Chief Executive Officer, Auberge Chic-Chac and Mont-Miller Ski Club
• Monski Recognition: Park Valley

Annual general meeting

The ASSQ also held its Annual General Meeting, where members re-elected the four outgoing members of the Board of Directors. Here is the complete composition for the 2016-2017 season :

• President : M. Daniel Rochon*, Mont-Sainte-Anne / Stoneham Tourist Resort
• Vice-President : M. Jean-Michel Ryan*, Mont SUTTON
• Treasurer : M. John Barnowski, Ski Montcalm
• Secretary : M. Alain Beauparlant, Park Valley
• Directors : M. Patrice Malo, Tremblant*; M. Charles Désourdy*, Bromont, montagne d’expériences; M. Louis-Philippe Hébert, Les Sommets; Mme Nadia Pépin, Gleason;
• Representative of small stations : M. François April, Parc du Mont Saint-Mathieu
• Representative of Associate Members : M. Luc Guy, Doppelmayr Canada Ltée
• President and CEO : M. Yves Juneau, QSSA

* Positions in reelection

About the Association of Quebec Ski Resorts and Industry

Founded in 1979, the ASSQ is a non-profit organization grouping all ski resorts in Quebec. Its mission is to promote and defend the interests of the resorts, to promote the development of the next generation and to support the industry in order to offer skiers and snowboarders memorable experiences in the mountains. Alpine skiing and snowboarding are practiced by more than 1.4 million Quebeckers.