Exciting plans for 2013 and 2014
Mont Blanc continues to be more than just a fantastic mountain and a great family value. We are constantly striving to be the most convenient and comfortable area for you and your active family to come and enjoy yourselves. Whether all together or on your own, we want to be one of those few places where everyone can come and have a fun and memorable experience. Plans are now in place to start reconfiguring and updating our facility and over the next few years we think you are really going to love the changes at Mont Blanc, inside and out.
Here are just some of the changes we are working on :
- New equipment to improve pre-season snow production
- Brand new cafeteria layout and decor
- Expanded cafeteria menu with more healthy options
- New floor covering
- New seating plans including counter space with seating
- Renovated washrooms
- New circular fireplace
- And more…
See the New Cafeteria Service Area (Artist’s Rendering 1) – Click here
New Cafeteria Service Area (Artist’s Rendering 2) – Click here
See the New Cafeteria Service Area (Floor Plan 1) – Click here
See the New Cafeteria Service Area (Floor Plan 2) – Click here
We are excited to introduce Phil Belec as the new General Manager of Mont Blanc. Phil brings a wealth of experience in both business and marketing in addition to his pedigree as an avid and accomplished skier (Level III CSIA, Level II CSCF, Level III ACA official).
Phil has been a fixture in the Quebec ski community, having been an on-air radio and TV personality conducting ski reports and commentary from 1987 until 2005. He has also served at the executive level of Club de Ski Mont Tremblant since 2003. In 2008, Phil joined Six Flags-La Ronde and accepted the role of Park President and General Manager a short time after.
“I am excited to join the Mont Blanc family. I have always felt it was a great ski mountain and one of the few in Quebec that has a very good foundation as well as great growth opportunities,” says Phil.
Phil will be taking over for our long-time GM Joanne Alford and he knows he has very large shoes to fill. Mrs. Alford will be stepping down after 33 years at Mont Blanc, 25 years as GM, during which time she established Mont Blanc as one of the big three ski resorts in the Laurentians. “For many, Joanne is Mont Blanc, and she will be sorely missed as the spearhead of our company. We look forward to her remaining as an advisor and board member for years to come,” says Phil Robinson.
Phil will be spending the next few months getting acquainted with Mont Blanc and our customers, so please help us welcome him and feel free to share your thoughts and ideas to make Mont Blanc even better.
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!
Mont Blanc Website