THE STATION
A FABULOUS VIDEO WAS MADE FOR THE 40TH OF PARC DU MONT-COMI. IT’S AN HONOR TO SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH ALL OF YOU. WE HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IT!
Mont-Comi Park: A resort, a passion for over 50 years!
Located in Bas-Saint-Laurent, specifically 30 kilometers south of Rimouski, Mont-Comi is unquestionably the biggest ski resort throughout East-of-Quebec. Appreciated for its abundance of natural snow and the quality of its ski conditions, skiers and snowboarders from Quebec, Maritimes and also United States come here to practice their favorite sport and enjoy the longest ski season in the region. The ski resort is also host of majors events such as Snowmission, a must for Snowboard lovers, helds every year in March. If this is your first visit with us or even if you are a regular, you’ll want to return to Mont-Comi as often as possible!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Appalachian mountains range
- Summit : 575 meters (1881 feet)
- Elevation : 306 meters
- 30 runs (from easy to extreme)
- 4 chair lifts
- Steepest run : The “Mur” (the wall)(35°)
- Cross country skiing and snowshoe trails
- 3 sides
- 6 undergrowth runs
- Halfpipe and Snowpark
HISTORIQUE
The Parc du Mont-Comi began operations on January 17th 1973. Before beginning, there were many steps taken to establish a corporation, in 1967 by a group of promotors in the area. A popular subscription’s campaign made it possible to raise the necessary money to buy land and to make the first runs on the mountain whose original name was “Mont-Camille”.
As there was not enough money available to buy the equipement to maintain the runs, they asked snow mobilests to “groom” the runs with tree trunks. As it was more or less efficient, they borrowed $ 3,500 to buy a “Muskeg” to groom the runs with a tractor.
In 1972, they installed the first mechanic t-bar lift for the 4 beginner runs. In the autumn of 1973 they installed the first chair lift and five new runs were made.
In its first year of operation in 1973, the Parc du Mont-Comi was operating with a budget of approximatly $ 85,000 and 6 employees. At that time a lift ticket cost $ 2.50 for adults and $ 1.50 for students. The budget of operation had an important growth of up to more than 1,3 million during the 80’s.
One of the objectives for the Parc du Mont-Comi was to offer accesibility to their equipement and services all year round. In the summer of 1975 they started the camp ”Soleil et Verdure”. The presence of the camp created many infrastructures (dormitory and chalet) were built and were subsidized because of the camp.
Through the years , many employees and numerous volunteers contributed to the development of the Parc du Mont-Comi. In fact , the second general manager (1985-1989) Mr. Guy Desrosiers, is now the general manager of Mont-Ste-Anne.
SECOND WIND
In May of 1998, the corporation of the Parc du Mont-Comi went bankrupt due to accumulated debts. The mountain was bought by Mr. Denis Roussel and his brothers in September of 1998. Mr . Roussel has worked at the Parc du Mont-Comi since the age of 15. He has gone from lift operator to manager of operations for the mountain. He was born and raised at the base of the mountain. The land around the mountain was owned by his father Xavier Roussel. For the love of the mountain, he gave it, its second wind.
THE TRADITION GOES ON..
Every spring since 1973, there is an annual event at the Parc du Mont-Comi : the ski boom. Each year it has been held on the Saturday before Easter week and is celebrated by all of the skiers by wearing a costume. A contest for the best costume has been organised for the event. There is a run down the mountain with lighted tourches, a mannequin race, entertainment and games.
There is also a Telefestival (telemark festival) that is held annually at the Parc du Mont-Comi since 1983. This event is so popular that it has become the biggest telemark gathering in eastern Canada. We can say that Parc du Mont-Comi has been the forerunner in Quebec for this sport.
THE VIEW
Mont-Comi is the best view point in the area to see the St-Lawrence river. From the top of Mont-Comi there is an open outlook of the whole La Mitis area. On a clear day, you may see up to 10 church’s bell-towers: Mont-Joli, Sainte-Angèle-de-Mérici, Saint-Joseph-de-Lepage, Price, Saint-Octave, Saint-Gabriel-de-Rimouski, Sainte-Jeanne, La Rédemption, Les Hauteurs and Saint-Donat-de-Rimouski.
TRAIL MAP
