CHARLEVOIX, QC — Club Med Québec Charlevoix is updating travel advisors and guests now that strike action at Le Massif Charlevoix has led to the complete closure of the mountain.

A statement on the Club Med Quebec Charlevoix site notes that due to industrial action, Groupe Le Massif, operator of the Charlevoix ski area, has completely closed the mountain. The closure took effect Jan. 20.

“Consequently, for safety reasons, skiing and tobogganing will be prohibited, and access to the mountains will be forbidden,” says the post from Club Med Charlevoix.

The resort notes that the relationship between the resort and the domain operator can be confusing. “Club Med Québec Charlevoix is operated by Club Med and has its own teams, services, and unique customer experience. The labor dispute does not involve Club Med or its employees, and we are committed to transparency regarding what is and is not within our control.”

3 OPTIONS FOR IMPACTED GUESTS

A statement from Club Med Sales Canada assures the trade and travellers that Club Med teams “are fully mobilized to ensure an enjoyable stay” at Club Med Québec Charlevoix, adding that Club Med Québec Charlevoix remains fully committed to delivering the best possible experience and will continue to operate and welcome guests, even though no skiing activities or mountain access will be available.

“Although this situation is entirely beyond our control and Club Med is in no way affiliated with the strike movement or the decision to close the ski area, we have chosen to continue welcoming our guests in the true Club Med spirit, with enhanced activities,” says Club Med Sales Canada.

“For guests whose vacations were centred around skiing, we want to provide all the necessary information and flexibility to help them make the best possible decision.”

The 3 options are …

Option 1
Guests who choose to maintain their stay at Club Med Québec Charlevoix will automatically receive a 50% travel credit for each day the ski area remains closed. This credit will be added to their Club Med membership within 4 to 6 weeks, with no action required on their part.

Option 2
Alternatively, guests can choose to transfer their reservation to the same week and the same room category for the Winter 26/27 season, at no additional cost and subject to availability.

Option 3
Guests can cancel their stay and receive a full travel credit with Club Med (membership fees excluded).

Says Club Med Sales Canada: “For options requiring a reservation change, we encourage our GMs to contact the Club Med Service Center at 1-888-932-2582 to update their booking.”

Guests residing in Québec may also contact the OPC (Office de la protection du consommateur).

“We will continue to inform affected guests as soon as new updates become available,” says Club Med Sales Canada. “We remain optimistic that a fair and timely solution can be reached between the parties involved.”

Questions or reservation changes can be directed to 1-888-932-2582 or by email. Wait times may be longer than usual due to a high volume of calls. “We thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate this exceptional situation.”

UNION HOPEFUL A SETTLEMENT CAN BE REACHED

Le Massif’s sudden closure has thrown the region into uncertainty, threatening winter-season revenues for local businesses.

“Ninety-nine per cent of our revenue here comes from tourism,” said Serge Bilodeau, mayor of Petite-Rivière-St-François, the village at the base of Le Massif de Charlevoix.

Le Massif is a major draw for skiers and a key economic engine for the region northeast of Quebec City. “The closure is having an impact on the entire region,” Bilodeau said.

The union representing about 300 workers launched a strike Jan. 2, with wages a main point of contention during negotiations. Le Massif closed that day then partially reopened on Jan.  6 for a few days with limited operations. But after unionized employees rejected a contract and arbitration offer on Jan. 19, the resort cancelled the rest of the ski season.

On Jan. 20, Claude Choquette, president of Groupe Le Massif – the resort’s developer – said conciliators had summoned both sides to a meeting and emphasized the “urgency” of reaching a resolution by the end of the week.

The union representing Le Massif workers added that it remained hopeful a settlement could be reached. Mitchell Dion, director general of Tourisme Charlevoix qualified the meeting as “a small glimmer of hope.”

The impacts could spread unevenly across the region. Dion said operators had already been shaken by losses over the holiday period, with several businesses reporting tens of thousands of dollars in cancelled bookings. “It certainly shook us up,” he said, noting that winter break weeks in March in Quebec and Ontario are still to come. “(That’s) where people are really worried.”

With file from The Canadian Press