Death Of Louis Dufour Of Les Sommets Group Announced
The Association des stations de ski du Québec would like to send its most sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Louis Dufour and to the great ski family. Mr. Louis Dufour, co-founder of Sommets, the largest owner of private ski resorts in Quebec, which today owns Sommet Saint-Sauveur, Sommet Gabriel, Sommet Olympia, Sommet Morin-Heights in the Laurentians and Sommet Edelweiss in Outaouais. Recognized across eastern North America, the Les Sommets group also owned the Jay Peak resort until June 2008. The company was then known as Mont-Saint-Sauveur International (MSSI) .
Mr. Dufour played a key role in the creation of the Association des stations de ski du Québec and acted as president from 1986 to 1988. Recipient of numerous awards, including that of Canadian Skiers of Distinction, presented by SKI Canada and in 2003, the industry awarded him the distinguished Prix Réal Boulanger. He was also inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame in 1994.
Louis Dufour, a visionary
He was one of the craftsmen-visionaries of the ski industry in Quebec, he has been attributed, among other things, the paternity of evening skiing which allows the sky of the Saint-Sauveur Valley to light up, shine with its a thousand fires. He made it the largest night ski area in the world, and by extension, the village of Saint-Sauveur, one of the most sought-after tourist spots in Quebec. Recognized for his avant-garde side, he had a certain flair for innovations that would later become the norm in the industry. He implemented unique, different products and activities that appealed to all age groups. He brought magic to everything he touched. A man of action, enthusiastic, determined and constantly listening to customers.
Testimonials, a man who marked the industry
According to the President and CEO of the Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASSQ), Yves Juneau, Mr. Dufour was a man of great heart: “He liked to collaborate with his colleagues from other resorts. The collective work to take the ski industry to great heights was recognized by its peers, from industry veterans to young rookies taking their first steps in the ski industry.” affirmed the leader of the ASSQ. “He believed in collaboration between stations rather than competition. This is why he has launched, through the ASSQ, vast marketing efforts aimed at promoting the practice of skiing in Quebec”.
“Louis was a far-sighted, inspiring and endearing man. It was a real pleasure and a privilege to work with him and to discuss with him the practices and challenges of our beautiful industry that he had so much at heart! We are losing a remarkable leader and pioneer. Our thoughts go out to his family, loved ones and our friends from the larger Les Sommets family,” says Jean-Michel Ryan, Chairman of the ASSQ Board of Directors and President of Mont SUTTON.
Claude Péloquin, vice-president and general manager of Bromont, montagne d'experiences, has only good words for the man who was a pillar of the industry: "Louis Dufour dedicated his life to the world of skiing, a unfailing ambassador of the ASSQ who was present, at our side, from the very beginning and who was able to rally ski resorts across the province and even North America to develop strategic knowledge, being one of the initiators of the ' Economic and financial study of the industry. A sad day for the ski community, but also the memory of an involved, kind and generous man of his time for the collective good of our industry. »
