Industry News
Mont-Sainte-Anne, a vertical gem in the heart of Quebec’s Capitale-Nationale region, is one of Canada’s most storied ski destinations and, increasingly, one of its most closely watched. Located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of the provincial capital, the mountain offers 547 acres (221 hectares) of skiable terrain, a vertical drop of more than 2,050 feet (625 meters), and sweeping views toward the St. Lawrence River. The first runs were cut in 1943 by local volunteers, and the resort officially opened in 1966 with ten trails and four lifts, including Eastern Canada’s first gondola.
From the beginning, Mont-Sainte-Anne was a defining force in Eastern Canadian skiing. It hosted the Canada Winter Games events and multiple FIS World Cup races, while drawing busloads of students and international visitors. Before the rise of Mont-Tremblant in the 1990s, it stood as the province’s premier destination resort. In the decades since, it has remained a key part of the ski landscape, with its scale, location, and legacy continuing to anchor its role within Quebec’s tourism economy as it enters a new phase of investment and modernization. The resort is set to host alpine skiing and snowboard events during the Canada Winter Games in 2027, marking the return of the Games to Québec City for the first time in 60 years.
Today, the resort is operated by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), which acquired it in 1999. In 2001, businessman N. Murray Edwards took control of RCR and its properties. Edwards, chairman of Canadian Natural Resources, has a broad portfolio that includes the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders. This ownership structure remains an important part of discussions around Mont-Sainte-Anne’s future, particularly as reinvestment and long-term stewardship come into sharper focus.
Operational Challenges & Reforms
In recent years, Mont-Sainte-Anne has navigated infrastructure and operational challenges that have drawn public attention. In 2020, lift malfunctions resulted in injuries requiring hospitalization. In December 2022, a gondola cabin fell to the ground shortly before opening hours, without injuries. In December 2025, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec ordered the temporary closure of four ski lifts following regulatory inspections. The delayed opening of the lifts prompted harsh criticism from Québec ministers Kariane Bourassa and Jean-François Simard.
A $100 Million Modernization Project
Mont-Sainte-Anne is now entering a significant reinvestment phase. In December 2024, Québec — through Investissement Québec — announced a CDN $100 million (USD $74 million) modernization plan, including CAD $50 million (USD $37 million) in provincial loans to be matched by RCR. While the province briefly paused its contribution following lift closures in December 2025, the project was quickly cleared to proceed once RCR finalized firm orders for new lift infrastructure.
Government officials have since confirmed the resort is meeting its commitments. As reported by Radio-Canada, Pierre Lefrançois—mayor of L’Ange-Gardien and prefect of the MRC de La Côte-de-Beaupré—described the latest developments as a positive turning point:
“We’re pleased because we see that the announcements made in 2024 are progressing. We understand that the investments will land on the mountain, and that’s what we’ve wanted from the start. We are pleased that everyone is pitching in and turning the situation around.”
— Pierre Lefrançois, L’Ange-Gardien Mayor
On March 26, 2026, the resort finalized an order with Doppelmayr Canada for three new high-speed lifts. The centerpiece is “L’Étoile Filante,” a 10-passenger gondola designed for four-season use, including mountain biking. It will operate at 19.7 feet per second (6 m/s), with a ride time of approximately seven minutes and a capacity of 2,600 passengers per hour — an increase in capacity of roughly 33%.
- Related: Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC, Set to Start the Resort’s Biggest Infrastructure Investment in Nearly 40 Years
Two additional detachable six-pack chairlifts will complement the gondola. The South Express will replace existing infrastructure with a redesigned alignment connecting sectors more efficiently, while the North Express, scheduled for completion in December 2028, will improve capacity in the northern sector.
Beyond lifts, the plan includes a 30% increase in snowmaking capacity paired with a 30% reduction in energy consumption, as well as redevelopment of base and summit areas. A redesigned beginner zone will be relocated away from high-traffic return routes. The broader vision also includes a potential real estate development that could generate up to CAD $450 million (USD $331 million) in additional investment. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with phased openings between February 2027 and December 2028.
A Competitive and Evolving Landscape
Mont-Sainte-Anne sits at the heart of one of Québec’s most important tourism corridors, alongside Montmorency Falls, Île d’Orléans, and Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. It also remains the closest major resort to Québec City’s international airport. According to the Association des stations de ski du Québec, the province’s ski industry generated CAD $425 million (USD $313 million) in total revenue for the 2024–25 season, marking the second-best financial result in twenty years.
Mont-Sainte-Anne continues to draw sustained interest from outside operators, and that interest has not faded as the modernization plan moves forward. Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil and owner of Le Massif de Charlevoix, submitted a formal acquisition proposal in 2022 backed by a CAD $175 million (USD $130 million) investment plan. While that offer was declined, more recent developments suggest dialogue remains active.
As reported by Le Charlevoisien and LeSoleil, Gauthier has a registered lobbying mandate to discuss the resort directly with Minister Simard. According to the registry, talks focus on the potential benefits of a merger between Mont-Sainte-Anne and Le Massif. While Groupe Le Massif has declined to comment publicly, the lobbying activity suggests that alternative visions for the mountain remain active as redevelopment moves forward.
At the same time, a different model of ski development is emerging across Québec. Entrepreneur Christian Mars, through the Compagnie des montagnes de ski du Québec, has been building a network of regional ski areas connected by a shared pass system and coordinated operations. Founded in 2023, the group has expanded through a series of management agreements and acquisitions across smaller Québec resorts, with a stated goal of improving accessibility and strengthening the long-term viability of regional skiing. Mars has outlined ambitions to grow the network to around ten resorts within the next five years, positioning the model as an alternative to the traditional standalone destination resort structure.
Stewardship by Design: Parc du Mont-Sainte-Anne (SÉPAQ)
One major structural shift has already reshaped Mont-Sainte-Anne’s future. The eastern portion of the property has been transferred to SÉPAQ, which is developing it as a conservation-focused regional park. This effectively separates protected public land from commercial ski operations, concentrating investment on the western alpine sector while preserving ecological and recreational assets in the east. The approach reflects a broader effort to balance environmental stewardship with long-term tourism development.
Mont-Sainte-Anne is moving into a decisive new phase. Lifts are on order, and construction is imminent. While government oversight remains high, local stakeholders are expressing optimism as the focus has shifted towards execution. Continued external interest only confirms the mountain’s standing as a premier asset. The pieces are falling into place to reposition Mont-Sainte-Anne at the top of Quebec’s ski landscape in 2026-27.
