Massif du Sud unveils $75M development plan for four‑season infrastructure

The initiative is supported by a $5 million contribution from Québec’s Ministère du Tourisme through the Tourism Industry Recovery Assistance Program (PARIT) and nearly $4 million from Investissement Québec.

A significant portion of the PARIT funding will be allocated to expanding guest accommodations. Plans include 20 micro-chalets near the base and 12 rustic chalets located on the mountain itself. At the summit, a new multi-use reception centre with an observation tower will be built, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The centre will have year-round capacity for 80 guests, catering to skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Construction of the reception centre is slated for completion by summer 2025.

Work is also underway on a $3 million indoor recreation pavilion, which will feature a climbing gym, swimming pool, and outdoor splash pad. Designed to accommodate visitors in all weather conditions, the pavilion is expected to attract a diverse range of tourists, including the growing “Van Life” segment, with 24/7 washroom facilities. Construction of the pavilion will begin in summer 2025.

A $60 million investment will replace the existing main chalet with a new facility that includes ski-in/ski-out condo hotel accommodations. The project, already in early development stages, is expected to introduce hotel-style short-term rental options. More details regarding this phase of the plan will be announced in the near future.

STMS has completed significant infrastructure upgrades in preparation for the winter season, including revamping cafeteria and bar areas. Improvements to the ski lift include the installation of a new telecommunications line, engine, loading mat, and upgraded operator huts at both the summit and base. These investments total $3 million and are aimed at enhancing reliability and visitor experience.

Positioning itself as a key mountain biking destination, STMS is collaborating with Sentiers de l’Est, a trail design firm specializing in mountain biking infrastructure. The initial kilometres of trails are expected to open by summer 2025, with plans to include a pump track, progression park, downhill trails, and a rental shop. Additional summer activities will include a disc golf course and a cultural discovery trail.

The project involves a range of partners from the greater Québec City area, including architecture firms Bourgeois Lechasseur Architectes and Ultralocal Architectes, engineering firms Genio experts-conseil and Groupe Genius, and construction partners SOKÏO Industrie and OÏKOS Construction.

Pierre-Yves Charest, owner of Station Touristique Massif du Sud, calls the announcement a milestone in the resort’s ongoing evolution: “This announcement marks a milestone in the development plan that has been in the works since we acquired the resort two years ago. Our teams are proud to be a driving force in major developments, all undertaken with the utmost respect for local ecosystems, as we work to make the resort a diversified, sustainable, four-season tourist destination with staying power.”

The STMS development plan aims to attract visitors year-round while bolstering the local tourism industry, setting the stage for sustained growth in Chaudière-Appalaches.