Discover downhill skiing

A little history

Did you know the first ski club in Canada was founded in Montreal in 1904? At that time, Montrealers were zipping down the hills of Mont-Royal and, in Quebec, it was the Plains of Abraham. In 1939, the first chairlift was introduced at Mont-Tremblant. For over 100 years, downhill skiing has continued to grow in popularity and has become one of the most practiced winter sports in the country.

Where is it practiced?

As the name suggests, downhill skiing is practiced on groomed slopes. It is up to the various ski resorts to prepare, maintain and ensure the security of their slopes in winter. You can get to the top of the hill using lifts such as gondolas, chair lifts and ski lifts. Off the groomed hill, the snow is in its natural state; skiing on this type of snow is referred to as "all-mountain" or "freeride" skiing. At a ski resort, each trail is colour-coded according to its level of difficulty and its steepness, which is measured by grade (as a percentage) instead of degree angle:

Green circle trails are considered to be the easiest. They are perfect for those who are just learning how to ski.

Blue square trails are for intermediate skiers, but some can be suitable for beginner skiers as well depending on their gradient, which varies between 25% and 40%.

Black diamond trails are the most difficult and are generally for advanced skiers who enjoy a steep slope to gain speed. The technique used on these trails is called "carving", which means that the ski edges are used to carve out great-looking turns.

Ski hills are like giant playgrounds for eager skiers, but it is important to follow certain codes of conduct to ensure the safety of everyone on the hill. The Code of Conduct is generally posted at the ticket office of the ski resort and also near the entrance of every chair lift station at the base of the hill. The rules apply to everyone who is using the mountain - whether for downhill skiing or snowboarding. The ski hill operators can even revoke your day pass or season pass if you do not obey these rules. Remember to be vigilant and always remain aware of what is happening around you. No matter what level skier you are, you need to avoid dangerous behaviour and should be careful to control your speed and be cautious of other skiers when you are zipping down the hill. 

If you are skiing for the first time, it's a good idea to take a lesson with a ski instructor. This will help you to develop good techniques to get you started off on the right foot.

At first, you will use the snow plow technique to go down the green/blue hills. You'll learn to control your speed, your balance and your direction. Next, you'll work on a series of turns from one side to the other, learning how to put your skis into a parallel position in between each turn. Once you feel comfortable on the green hills, you can move on to the steeper hills and discover new sensations of gliding down at higher speeds.

Downhill skiing combines sport with pleasure.

It gives you a sense of freedom that is very much connected with the surroundings. Since it works all the muscles (abs, arms, calves, buttocks, shoulders, legs, etc.), downhill skiing is a complete sport. It also helps to improve your balance, coordination and agility.

The sun's rays are stronger at altitude, so a downhill skiing session will also increase your vitamin D intake, which will give your immune system a boost (just don't forget to protect your face with sunscreen!).

Doing sports at altitude also improves blood circulation by speeding up your heart rate. Muscles grow, and calories burn faster.

Finally, downhill skiing is a sport that can be done with others, so it's a great way to have fun with friends and family this winter. 

If you want to have fun with family or friends in an idyllic setting, this enjoyable outdoor sport may be perfect for you!

There are ski hills for every level of ability and preference. There are no restrictions to downhill skiing, and a medical certificate is only required if you want to pursue it at a competitive level. Therefore, any healthy person who is not at risk can enjoy skiing without a problem.