There will be skiing: relief on the North Shore

The Côte-Nord ski enthusiasts were happy to learn that the ski centers will be able to open their doors this winter. Among retailers, the announcement was also greeted with great enthusiasm, but also with a touch of relief.

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The last few months have not been easy for the owner of Zone Vélo Ski, Daniel Arsenault: “We were starting to be stressed to be honest,” he told TVA Nouvelles on Friday, on the sidelines of the confirmation that ‘there will be a ski season this winter.

He wondered if customers were going to be there to buy the equipment he ordered earlier this year, before the pandemic. The green light granted to ski centers by the government and public health frees him from a great deal of uncertainty.

“Of course we’re happy because when we took over the season last year, we didn’t know there was going to be a pandemic. Of course, it is inventory that must be spent. If no ski resort could operate this year, that would have been a big negative. We couldn’t have sold any pair of groomed piste skis. ”

In Baie-Comeau, the manager of Mont Ti-Basse anticipates good traffic because the population needs fresh air.

“We are planning an interesting season for the occupation of our outdoor facilities,” said Patrick Pelletier, director of the Corporation plein air Manicouagan.

But the measures imposed by Quebec are numerous. The limited use of the chalets, the closure of restaurant services and the constraints on the use of the chairlifts should not, however, scare off snow sports enthusiasts.

“Are users going to be ready to adapt to new realities? We believe so, ”said Patrick Pelletier.

And predicting an increase in the popularity of board sports this winter, traders expect a scarcity of some equipment when the season is well underway.

“It’s unheard of in retail to say: you don’t go to Christmas with your inventory,” explained Daniel Arsenault. Of course there will be a rarity. We are not pressure salespeople. But this year, we will still inform customers that the scarcity will be there. ”

At Mount Ti-Basse, the season could begin on December 12. As for the Gallix station in Sept-Îles, it was not possible to obtain reactions from management on Friday.