Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec — Located in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, Mont Sainte-Agathe has been lost to time.
While the surrounding area remains an active spot for recreationists, the old slopes are now filled with trees. One of the few signs of its downhill-skiing days is at its summit, where a steep slope and an old lift tower’s concrete footing and sheaves remain.
In a video by Paddle & Hike, he hikes to the top of Mont-Sainte-Agathe. He details what the hike is like, the history of the ski area, and what remains of the old ski operation.
About Mont Sainte-Agathe
Located above Lac des Sables, Mont Sainte-Agathe was one of the many abandoned ski areas scattered across Quebec. According to NELSAP, it had 8-9 trails, 3 lifts (including a chairlift), and a vertical drop of either 600 or 666 feet. It first opened in the 1950s as Mount Kingston and provided great views of the adjacent lake. Its operational timeline was spotty, as it was closed throughout the 1970s. They reopened the ski area briefly in the 1980s, but it ultimately closed for good in 1987. The old trails have since grown in.
Today, Nordic ski terrain and hiking trails run through the old ski area. With how much tree growth has occurred since the closure, a downhill skiing revival is unlikely.
Image/Video Credits: Paddle & Hike, Skimap.org
