Nearly 20 years ago, I came across an image of someone skiing at Le Massif, and it immediately captivated me. Skiing down to the Saint Lawrence River looked so surreal that I vowed to visit one day. Though my trip didn’t coincide with ski season, I discovered that lift-assisted mountain biking here is just as exhilarating.
After flying into Quebec City, my wife, son and I picked up a rental car and made the easy 1.5-hour drive to Le Massif. Arriving at the parking lot, located at the mountain’s summit, we were ready to explore. Known for its status as the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies, Le Massif offers a spectacular view as the mountain rises 770 meters from the Saint Lawrence, creating an epic descent for bikers.
Since 2021, Le Massif has been transforming its rugged terrain into a premier mountain biking destination, and it has made incredible progress in just a few years. Owned by Cirque du Soleil co-founder Daniel Gauthier, the resort’s vision is to preserve its natural beauty while avoiding commercialization—and they’re succeeding.
After renting bikes and meeting with Clovis Lettre-Racine, the ski and bike school director, we set off on a mix of green and blue trails like Easy Rider, Funky Funghi, 6 Pack, and Roule Suisse. The trails were fantastic. There were flowing berms, rolling jumps, and vibrant fall foliage surrounding us. It was a great warm-up for my family, offering both challenge and fun.
Each time we emerged from the forest, we were treated to panoramic views of the Saint Lawrence. There were huge ships and cruise liners sailing by. Clovis mentioned that heading an hour further east would bring saltier waters and a greater chance of spotting whales. The ride up the gondola provided even more time to soak in the views and get excited for our next run.
We stayed at Les Caches de la Grande Pointe, a new lodge at the base of the mountain that was perfect for our stay. After a quick breakfast at Auberge du Dumaine a Liguori, we were back on the trails, ready for more.
We tackled the climb to the top of Bus Jaune Trail and descended the thrilling Histoire Sans Fin, a 7-km downhill run that’s family-friendly yet filled with world-class scenery. We revisited the trails from the previous day, building up speed and confidence with every ride. It was an absolute blast. We even tested ourselves on some black diamond trails like…
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