Le Massif Ski Resort Ends 2026 Season Early Over Strike

Le Massif de Charlevoix, a prominent ski resort northeast of Quebec City, announced on Monday that it will end its 2026 ski season early after its unionized employees rejected a mediator's settlement proposal and an offer for arbitration. The decision follows an indefinite strike by approximately 300 mountain staff that began on January 2, leaving the resort unable to maintain operations.

The workers, represented by the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs du Massif Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, affiliated with the CSN labor federation, have been negotiating a new collective agreement since the previous one expired on December 31. Wages emerged as the primary point of contention, with the union pushing for increases that reflect the employees' contributions amid rising living costs in the region. Additional demands include restrictions on subcontracting, expanded sick leave, enhanced workplace safety measures, and improved vacation policies.

Management stated that the rejection of both the settlement and arbitration made it impossible to continue the season sustainably. Resort officials emphasized the need to resume artificial snowmaking by the end of the month to ensure...