| Once or twice a season you get a day thatÆs perfect. And that's how I'd describe my visit in March 2006 to Le Massif.
The slopes werenÆt at all crowded, the groomed snow was deep and soft, the sun was shining in a brilliant blue sky, we were skiing with new friends Jean-Maurice and Justineùgood skiers both.
Le Massif
Sometimes you feel as if you'll slide into the St. Lawrence River if you fall
(Tim Jones photo)
But the real star of the day was Le Massif. This is an upside-down mountain û you park at the top, ski down before taking your first chairlift ride. The base at Le Massif is only 100 feet above sea level. The St. Lawrence River runs close below you -- so close you sometimes feel like youÆll slide into the river if you fall. The views at Le Massif are of mountains and the water. Incomparable! This is not a mountain for beginners. The blue squares are perfectly groomed, but steep or narrow in some spots. Trails like La Batture and LÆArchipel wind through the woods. After Marilyn and Justine had called it a day, Jean-Maurice and I headed for the serious stuff: LaPhenome and LÆEcore are serious single black diamonds. La Charlevoix, a double-black is probably the longest, steepest groomed trail I have ever skied ù 42 degrees in long sections. They run world class downhills here. With the river below you, and different vistas at every twist and turn, it was magnificent.
Just donÆt fall. Even with the fencing to keep you from sliding into the woods, you could get seriously hurt. | 
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