congress concludes in Charlevoix - 425 Quebec ski industry stakeholders focused on the future of mountain resorts

The 2026 edition of the annual Ski Resort Congress welcomed 425 participants this week at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in the Charlevoix region. Under the theme "Moving Forward with Confidence," the event brought together industry stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collectively reflect on the future of skiing in Quebec within a context marked by numerous challenges and transformations, while also celebrating initiatives that contribute to the dynamism and influence of the mountains.

The congress began with an opening evening held at Mont Grand-Fonds , attended by Ms. Kariane Bourassa , Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and Outdoor Activities and Member of the National Assembly for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré. Her presence highlighted the importance of the ski and outdoor recreation sector for the regions of Quebec.

Among the event's highlights was an interview featuring Mikaël Kingsbury, which offered a look back at his Olympic journey and the lessons learned from the last season. Throughout the congress, panelists and guest experts addressed several issues and trends shaping the future of the sector. Participants also had the opportunity to attend the presentation of preliminary results for the 2025-2026 season, unveiled by MCE Conseils, which paints a positive picture of a resilient and evolving sector.

“The ASSQ annual congress is always an important moment for our industry. It’s an opportunity to take a step back, share our realities, and reflect together on how we can continue to develop skiing in Quebec. Thanks to the conferences and workshops, participants were also able to deepen their knowledge and discover concrete solutions for their resorts,” emphasized Yves Juneau, President and CEO of the ASSQ.

The congress also offered numerous networking and collaboration opportunities for participants, partners and suppliers, notably through a trade show featuring nearly 70 exhibitors.

This year, the ASSQ wanted to contribute to the Quebec Tourism Industry Alliance's Next Generation Foundation by inviting two tourism students to participate in the annual congress. One comes from the tourism techniques program at Cégep de Limoilou and the other from the bachelor's program in tourism and hospitality management at UQAM.

2026 Excellence Award: highlighting leadership, innovation and commitment

The congress finally concluded in a unifying and positive atmosphere, marked by the presentation of the ASSQ Excellence Awards, which highlight inspiring projects, initiatives and achievements within ski resorts each year.

Here are the recipients:

• Eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives — Destination Owl's Head

• New Skier Development Program — Ski Montcalm

• Community Engagement — Chic-Chac

• Women's Development Manager — Camille Boulay, Ski Mont Blanc

• Male Succession Manager — Alain Tremblay, Valinouët Ski Resort

• Safety and prevention — Ski Saint-Bruno

• For the Love of Skiing Award — Le Relais Ski Centre. Awarded to the resort with the highest satisfaction rating according to skiers and snowboarders.

• Tribute to Réal-Boulanger — Daniel Rochon for his remarkable involvement in the ski industry.

For over 40 years, the ASSQ has been working to represent and support Quebec ski resorts in developing best business practices. A non-profit organization, the ASSQ promotes snow sports, enhances the customer experience, and supports resort performance to ensure their long-term viability. Through initiatives like Ski Passe-Partout, which fund the Association's activities, more than 40,000 young people are introduced to skiing and snowboarding, as well as healthy lifestyle habits, free of charge each year.

In the context of climate change, the ASSQ is expanding its mission by supporting the industry and the public in the evolution of ski resorts and mountain activities. It is committed to fostering a sustainable environment for skiing and snowboarding and supporting its members' adaptation to the new realities of the ski industry.