Touring at Mont-Édouard: all the snow you can ski
The snow is falling on Mont-Édouard on this warm February morning. The resort is quiet. Only the employees, guides and a few lucky ones who were able to reserve backcountry cabins are at the main lodge and ready to go.
The story of Mont-Édouard is a beautiful one! Born in 1989, the Anse-St-Jean resort in the beautiful Saguenay-Lac St-Jean region is known for the quantity – an average close to seven meters – and the quality of the annual snowfall. This resort is not only known for its incredible snow coverage but also for its history that takes place in the heart of the community. Mont-Édouard is owned by this welcoming town.
Mont Édouard’s Backcountry
The dynamic resort put the development of a backcountry area in high gear with its pilot project in 2014. Now, it boasts six summits, four with shelters, on an area spanning 65.5 hectares. Whether you use the service of a guide or you set off on your own, exploring this area of the mountain is definitely a must. The pristine nature, the view of the surrounding summits and the Fjord are breathtaking.
Its layout and the fact that it’s patrolled make it a very secure environment. It is the biggest, patrolled backcountry ski resort in Quebec. It’s well worth it to reserve a shelter where you can hang your hat for a couple of days! Being front and center of one of the areas – Gardien, Vallée des Géants, Grive or Grand Pic – to be able to get first tracks is a true privilege. Remember: No friends on a powder day! Also, the luggage transport service lets you bring all the food you need to cook amazing meals. Little tip: reserve early because the shelters get booked up very early in the fall.
What about the snow conditions? The best in Québec for sure! The snow quality combined with the vertical drop, natural jumps and the trees that paint the backdrop of the landscape make Mont-Édouard’s backcountry one of the best touring stations. It’s a perfect place to gain experience before going on to bigger terrain, like the Chic-Chocs in beautiful Gaspésie for example. You’ll find 11 kilometers of skin tracks that are well marked to help you navigate across the valley and the six summits.
Discovering the Summits
The first area encountered was Sacré-Cœur. Adjacent to the resort, it only takes about 30 minutes to get to the top to then start your run. It is the perfect area to start off. About 45 minutes from Sacré-Cœur, the Vallée des Géants area is also accessible for a day and the slope is wide with a few tree islands. Combined with the two latest areas, Hibou and Gardien, it offers a loop which offers more options for days trips.
Right South you’ll find the Grive and Grand Pic. Further from the station, those two runs are definitely worth the trip! With a vertical drop of 301 and 402 meters they’ll sure to make any adrenaline junky happy. Since they are quite far from the resort, you need to take into consideration experience and fitness. Also, some areas close early in the afternoon for day skiers. Make sure you get all the information you need at the Haute Route counter to help you prepare for your adventure.
Mont Édouard’s backcountry area is definitely worth the trip. It’s one of the best touring stations in Quebec. Everything seems to have been set up to widen the access to backcountry skiing in the east. The area developed by the resort is only a small fraction of the immense surrounding territory. Skiing Mont-Édouard is simply pure bliss.
