Mont-Sainte-Anne ski area in Quebec, Canada turns 50 this year, with the big birthday later this week, and has a number of celebrations planned.
But most remarkably the centre has found that one of their employees, Claire Labossière, has been there right from the first year in 1966.
Claire started as a ski instructor having previously been in Canada’s national ski team. Then, she worked her way through several roles at the resort, including the marketing department before taking up her current position as Lift Manager, in charge of all of Mont-Sainte-Anne’s lift staff.
Claire still skies every day and is one of the fifth of Mont Sainte Anne’s staff who have been there at least 25 years.
Mont-Sainte-Anne’s big birthday is this Friday, January 16, 2016, exactly 50 years after the opening in 1966, when a huge party is planned, and along with special celebrations, the resort will offer 50 percent off lift tickets on the day.
In 1966, Mont-Sainte-Anne was the first resort to operate gondolas in Eastern Canada and they’ve now become the symbol of the mountain. This winter, two of Mont-Sainte-Anne’s current gondolas have been painted in gold, marking its 50 anniversary. In addition, thanks to support from Helly Hansen, 50 gifts will be distributed to skiers riding the gondola throughout the winter. There’ll also be a historical photo booth located in a gondola at the base of the mountain, a giant timeline printed on the main lodge wall and a huge painting created by kids of a local school.
In another act of celebration, the ski manufacturer Rossignol has created just 50 pairs of special skis, branded Mont-Sainte-Anne, available for sale at the resort’s ski hope and a few others around the area.