Station Gallix wants to adapt to climate change, as rain once again complicates downhill skiing in Sept-Îles this winter. The director of operations, Jean-François Thibault, is focusing on planning and technology, while a new tool will soon be at his disposal, thanks to a study by the Ouranos Consortium.
On January 2, on Mount Gallix, a team worked hard to restore the condition of the ski slopes, ruined by a flood. Their closure has been extended until the weekend, when a few snowflakes and slightly colder weather are expected.
Jean-François Thibault believes he can win this battle this weekend. But for the rest, he has no illusions. From year to year, there is more and more rain and mild weather. We can even have some in February
he laments.
The man, returning to work at Gallix Station after a few years of absence, has known simpler times. Twenty years ago, when I started at the Station, we had a snowfall at the end of October or the beginning of November. After that, we didn’t have to worry anymore
remembers Mr. Thibault.
Today is something else. Staying open despite climate change requires investment and new working methods.
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Snow cannons pump up to 700 gallons of water per minute from Lac Caché to cover the slopes at Gallix Station. (Archive photo)
Photo: - / Ann-Édith Daoust
The ski resort has new snow cannons that can pump up to 700 gallons of water per minute from Lac Caché, adjacent to Mont Gallix.
More efficient, these allow the slopes to be prepared more quickly. Previously, it could take us up to 40 days to snow 80% of what we do today in 17 days
specifies Mr. Thibault.
This speed of execution serves increased responsiveness on the part of the team. It has developed methods to optimize the use time of snow cannons, particularly when it has to deal with episodes of rain.
The objective: to keep the mountain open, even if that means prioritizing certain trails over others.
Stations alone facing their fate
Ouranos, a consortium that studies adaptation to climate change, recently looked at the vulnerability of ski resorts. A report published (New window) in November highlights that stations will have different realities to face.
For the North Shore, Ouranos notes that climate change will lead to:
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An increase in liquid precipitation;
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An increase in the number of days without snow cover, which would go from 4 to 10 days between the periods 1991-2020 and 2041-2070;
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Impacts generally less significant than in other regions of Quebec, particularly in the south.
Source: Ouranos, 2024. Diagnosis of vulnerability of the alpine ski system in the face of climate change.
Yves Juneau, the director of the Association of Quebec Ski Resorts, therefore invites them to use a tool that was created by Ouranos as part of its study: a vulnerability self-diagnosis tool for resorts.
Starting next week, a new employee will join the Association of Ski Resorts to work with teams from Gallix, Mont Ti-Basse and across Quebec to produce analyses.
