Quebec Grants $5 Million To Mont Sutton
Thanks to a $5,000,000 subsidy from the Quebec government’s Programme d’aide à la relance dans l’industrie touristique (PARIT – meaning Tourism Industry Recovery Assistance Program), Mont SUTTON will be able to complete its second phase of development as part of its project to become a prestigious four-season destination in the Eastern Townships.
FOUR KEY PROJECTS
This $5 million grant will support four major projects at Mont SUTTON.
The project at the heart of this grant is undoubtedly the addition of a quad chairlift equipped with a boarding carpet, to be positioned on the west side, to better serve all customers, including families for whom boarding will be easier. This installation will replace the three lifts in this sector (I, Iw and IIw). The quality of the skiing experience will be enhanced, with more efficient and comfortable access for all. A significant improvement that will ensure customer satisfaction
The addition of new RFID terminals will also improve chairlift traffic and facilitate smooth operations.
The development of four-season glamping sites, close to chairlift V, will offer an immersive nature option directly on the mountain at the foot of the slopes, as well as providing an alternative to rustic camping at the summit in summer and overnight stays in RVs!
Finally, a grant of this amount will also ensure the development of Mont SUTTON’s open-air museum, currently featuring 12 sculptures by bromisquois artists representing elements of the local flora and fauna. These works of art, positioned in the forest along trails and paths, are created in collaboration with the non-profit organization Les Arts à la montagne. A call for proposals in line with the theme will be issued at a later date. Mont SUTTON’s goal is to offer 25 sculptures on its grounds for an original cultural and recreational experience.
Although those projects are not on the agenda for the coming year, the grant will enable key steps to be taken, such as deepening required analyses, determination of the final layouts and obtaining the necessary authorizations from the relevant authorities.
In recent years, the explosion in production and operating costs has particularly affected the growth of the tourism industry. In order to maintain an attractive offer, institutions, including many ski resorts, have had to develop an annual offer to remain competitive and ensure the sustainability of their activities.
Several government programs, including PARIT, are vital to such developments. The latter aims to encourage tourism businesses to adapt to the current economic context, while ensuring the consolidation of their attractions that have a structuring effect on their region. In addition, PARIT supports projects that promote the retention of the Quebec population, the economic and social vitality of the regions through sustainable, original and diversified tourism offerings, and the increased adoption of good corporate social responsibility practices.
TOWARDS A PURELY SUTTON DESTINATION
When it was acquired in 2016, Mont SUTTON adopted a three-phase master plan aimed at developing the ski area into a four-season destination in the Eastern Townships (and in Quebec), and turning it into a brand-name resort that preserves the mountain’s natural, authentic DNA.
Commenting on this grant to complete the second phase of the project, Jean-Michel Ryan, the mountain’s President and CEO, said: “Mont SUTTON warmly welcomes this support from the ministry of Tourism, which will further cement the mountain’s four-season positioning in the region. The grant unveiled today will also enable Mont SUTTON to pursue its objective of improving its ski infrastructures and continuing to diversify its tourism offering to provide even more for its visitors. The projects announced in connection with this $5 million grant are estimated at approximately $11 million, which will bring the investments made at Mont SUTTON to more than $22 million since 2016!”
The resort is currently gearing up for a new summer season. To date, millions have already been invested in a mountain biking network in collaboration with Plein air Sutton, the creation of an 18-baskets disc golf course and the inauguration of two ziplines: a zipline coaster in the forest, the only one of its kind in North America, and a giant zipline, the steepest in Canada. What’s more, the opening of the summer chairlift ride and 21 campsites with 2 rustic shelters, combined with the expansion of its open-air museum, already make Mont SUTTON a prime summertime tourist location!
VALUABLE SUPPORT FROM THE TOWN OF SUTTON
Mont SUTTON is committed to carrying out its master plan for a Purely SUTTON destination in collaboration with the various political and municipal authorities. Naturally, these numerous projects would not be possible without the support of the Town of Sutton and its commitment to positioning Mont SUTTON as a beacon of tourism in the region.
Sutton’s mayor, Robert Benoît, reiterates: “The town’s economic development depends, to a large extent, on sustainable tourism that showcases diversified resources in sports, leisure, art, culture, nature and landscapes, all of which offer residents and tourists alike an exceptional quality of life. Thank you to the Government of Quebec and to Mont SUTTON for contributing to the diversification of our tourism infrastructures, and above all to the economic development of the Town and the region“, concluded the Mayor of Sutton.
And, until these numerous large-scale projects are put into action, mountain bikers will be able to follow the growth of Mont SUTTON’s trail network, masterfully piloted by Plein air Sutton. We’ve already announced some great new features for this summer! In addition, the mountain is still in presale for the 2024-2025 unlimited ski passes, which give access to many advantages for the summer season!
