Last Sunday, March 18th, the first ever competition was held in Mont Blanc’s « SnoZone ». The temperature was absolutely fantastic and the participants gave quite a show!
Mont Blanc thanks all competitors and spectators and wishes to congratulate its employee, Antoine Schlichtig, who won 1st place in the 15 year old + category (snowboard) and a prize of $300. For skiing, in the 15 year old + category, Mathieu Langevin placed first and won a $300 cash prize. For the girls, first place went to Melissa Rodrigue, snowboard and Judith Leroux in skiing, they each won a $200 cash prize.
Mont Blanc also wishes to thank Brett Carpentier for his precious collaboration as well as all the sponsors who contributed to the success of this first official event: Foursquare, Special Blend, Forum, Electric, Oakley, Armada, Axis, Max Ski Service, SnowboardQuebec.com.
Results
11 yrs and younger – Snow
1- Emil Prud’homme
2- Raphael Auger
3- Jonathan Perron
11 yrs and younger – Ski
1- Philippe Langevin
2- Zak Castonguay
3- Philippe Gregoire Bergevin
12-14 yrs – Snow
1- Zakary Boulet
2- Etienne Dirinaldo
3- Olivier Mercier
12-14 yrs – Ski
1- Billy Berthiaume
2-Thomas Gallon
3- Alex Gallon
Females : 15 and older – Snow
1- Melissa Rodrigue = $200 in CASH
2- Veronique Laramé
Female : 15 and older – Ski
1- Judith Leroux = $200 in CASH
Males : 15 and older – Snow
1- Antoine Schlichtig = $300 in CASH
2- Philippe Nadreau
3- Gabriel Milot
Makes : 15 and older – Ski
1- Mathieu Langevin = $300 in CASH
2- Jonathan Belec
3- Matt Dickey
Mont Blanc has chosen to support MIRA in its mission by organizing a special day with them at the mountain. Various activities will be held all day on Saturday March 3rd.
Clients will be able to experience the sensation of skiing with a blindfold as well as finding out how it feels to be led by a guide-dog. MIRA puppies will also be on site with their adopted families. Members of the MIRA team will be on hand as well as individuals who have benefited from the generosity of this organization. Volunteers will help raise funds through various activities. Mont Blanc will match the amount raised – so please be generous!
After a day on the slopes why not stay for supper – come and experience a unique activity – “Diner in the dark” and experience first-hand being visually impaired during a meal. Reserve your tickets for “Dinner in the Dark” by calling 1 800-734-6472 extension 222. Cost is $25. per person. All profits from this dinner will be donated to MIRA.
MIRA Foundation wishes to thank Mont Blanc for helping to make a difference.
His actual title is “Adjoint aux Operations” (Operations Assistant), but Pierre Cote’s new job in his own words is to “figure out how we’re making snow and find ways to improve it”.
Meet Pierre Cote, Snow Engineer.
Working with (Mountain) Operations Manager Larry Boyer, Pierre is the resident snow creation specialist.
This is a brand new role for Cote at Mont Blanc and it could be said that no one could be better suited for it. For 10 years Pierre was the head of Mont Blanc’s ski patrol, which means that no one knows the mountain’s trouble spots better. And in the off-season, Cote designs and develops water treatment systems for irrigation.
The combination makes Cote part engineer, part safety planner – and now snow scientist. So the next time you’re enjoying great conditions at Mont Blanc, look for Pierre and say ‘thanks’!
If you’ve been skiing in the Laurentians for some time, there’s a good chance you have already met Mont Blanc’s new Ski School Director, Sylvain Brazeau. Sylvain started working in the ski industry in his teens and has now been in it for over 2 decades.
Before joining Mont Blanc, Sylvain was the Ski School Director and then Technical Director at Belle Neige ski resort in Val David. Earlier in his career he was also an instructor and supervisor at Mont Blanc’ sister resort Gray Rocks.
Currently a level IV ski instructor, Sylvain is excited about the size and scope of both the mountain and his new position. “Mont Blanc is a great mountain with a great ski school. It will be a great challenge to bring this ski school to the next level,” said Sylvain when I spoke with him.
Already known for great service, with over 130 instructors, Mont Blanc has one of the largest ski schools in Quebec – but Sylvain says there’s always room for improvement! “I want to keep working towards the best customer service we can give and I will look at the different programs we offer to make sure we maximise the potential of the programs in a way that’s best for the customer,” he said.
One change Sylvain is exploring is creating more time slots on week-ends for individual instruction.
Have an idea for how Mont Blanc’s ski school can better suit your needs? Feel free to drop by Sylvain’s office and say hello!
Regretfully, this season we say good-bye to Louis Croteau, our long-time Ski Director. After 18 years leading our snow and ski school, Louis has decided that it is time for a change of careers and has accepted a permanent post in St. Adolphe d’Howarde as Director of their Volet Plein-air.
Louis’ professionalism and positive attitude will be missed; he first joined Mont Blanc in 1986, and was promoted to Ski School Director in 1993. Over those years Louis contributed enormously to Mont Blanc’s success, and was also involved in developing programs, events and promotions.
But as we all know, as one door closes another door opens. And stepping through that other door will be our new Snow School Director, Sylvain Brazeau. Sylvain brings loads of experience from our sister resort Gray Rocks. Welcome Sylvain! You have big ski boots to fill!
As you are no doubt aware, the start of the season has been dreadful for snowmaking. So far this year, cold temperatures have only enabled us to produce snow on very few occasions and for a short period of about 24 hours at a time.
Our snowmaking equipment now allows us to produce snow at minus 5º the problem is, that the wind direction and humidity levels have a major influence on snowmaking. Even with cold temperatures, if the wind is from the south, south-west and south-east directions, the snow produced is too wet and the nozzles on the snow guns freeze.
Please note that in spite of all this, we will resume snowmaking as soon as we can and our snowmaking team will be doing everything possible to offer addition runs as soon as they possibly can.
Management
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