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]]>Read our January 2017 Newsletter for up coming events and March Break programs.
]]>Antoine Mountain is excited to announce that all runs will be open this weekend. With recent low temperatures, a great snowmaking team and our talented groomer operator guests will be able to take a run over the Spillway for the first time in nearly two decades.
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Article by Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, The Nugget Thursday, January 7th, 2016
MATTAWA — There could be some exciting news coming from Antoine Mountain in the next few weeks.
Sarina Goad, community engagement and social media for the ski facility, said an announcement is planned.
Antoine Mountain held a “soft opening” last weekend for six of its 15 runs.
]]>"For more than 70 years, Mount Antoine Ski Club near Mattawa-Bonfield, Ontario was a favourite destination for downhill ski enthusiasts from across Ontario and the eastern United States. It’s not hard to understand why. Nestled in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, Antoine’s well-groomed slopes offered both outstanding scenery and ample natural snow. The mountain’s impressive 630 vertical foot elevation also enabled the resort to create a three-kilometre ski run, the longest in Ontario."
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Over a hundred skiers and snowboarders waited in line for the official opening of Antoine Mountain on Saturday. PHOTO by: Jazz Mathon
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Preparations are continuing for the re-opening of Antoine Mountain this season.
The Mattawa area Ski hill is at the mercy of Mother Nature since new snowmaking equipment is not operating yet.
"During the 2014-2015 winter season Antoine Mountain will not be making snow and is therefore reliant on mother nature to determine the opening date and overall base conditions," www.antoinemountain.ca stated on the website.
However, it's expected that Antoine Mountain will announce its officially opening about a week in advance.
"The recent snowfall on the mountain has been very helpful. We have begun to groom but still need more snow before we can announce an opening day," Antoine Mountain Director of Community Engagement & Social Media Sarina Goad told BayToday.ca on Monday.
Antoine Mountain just recently wrapped up a "Name the Chairlift" online contest with the name "SkyDigger" chosen for the new doppelmayr chairlift.
For more information go to http://www.antoinemountain.ca
View from the deck of the Chalet at Antoine Mountain. PHOTO COURTESY ANTOINE MOUNTAIN.
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=72833
]]>It may be February 3rd, but Antoine Mountain officials insist the refurbished ski hill will open at some point this season.
The Mattawa area ski hill has had its challenges. With no snowmaking equipment in place this year, they are completely reliant on Mother Nature to supply enough white stuff to make skiing and snowboarding safe on their slopes high above the Ottawa River.
“Please note that we will not be cancelling the season, and we do plan to open soon,” said Sarina Goad, Antoine Mountain Director of Community Engagement & Social Media.
“The team is aware that everyone is anxious to get back on top this season and it is important that it is done safe and it is done right.”
Goad adds the staff is working hard towards providing everyone an opening date.
“The snowfall has been very helpful during this process, but there are still things to be completed in order for us to provide everyone with a safe experience on the mountain as well as inside the facility,” she told BayToday.ca in an email Monday afternoon.
“The team is aware that everyone is anxious to get back on top this season and it is important that it is done safe and it is done right.”
Goad hopes to have more news on Antoine Mountain’s skiing status by the end of the week.
You can track Antoine Mountain's status by following on twitter at @AntoineMountain
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=73465
]]>Cela fait 12 ans que le mont a été racheté par la compagnie Antoine Mountain, une compagnie familiale, basée à Toronto. Les propriétaires assurent que la réouverture des pistes aura lieu cet hiver surtout « si Dame Nature coopère » et que les rénovations continuent d'aller bon train.
D'ailleurs les billets sont déjà en vente sur le site Internet du mont. Les canons à neige seront installés à l'automne 2015.
Cet hiver les propriétaires pensent attirer 30 000 skieurs, ce qui devrait aussi générer des revenus pour les commerces de la région. « Nous nous attendons à des retombées économiques importantes », indique le directeur la Société de développement économique de Mattawa Bonfield, Jeff McGirr.
La compagnie a investi jusqu'à maintenant près de 3 M$ et d'autres dépenses sont aussi à prévoir. La Ville de Mattawa a pour sa part donné 100 000 $. Bonfield, le canton municipal Papineau-Cameron et la Société de développement économique ont aussi contribué.
La province a quant à elle investi sous forme de prêt et de bourse un total de 1 M$ dans ce projet.
Avec le reportage de Lisa Marie Fleurent
http://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/ontario/2014/12/12/014-antoine-ski-ouverture.shtml
]]>After years of determination and a whirlwind upgrade that's taken place over the past four months, the former Mount Antoine facility, which has been renamed Antoine Mountain, is expected to start welcoming skiers and snowboarders next month.
Todd Yule, who's spearheading a consortium of private investors behind the venture, said the group is aiming for a mid-to-late January opening.
“I think that's being realistic,” said Yule, noting redevelopment of the facility is still underway and that the operation will be relying solely on natural snow this season.
Although the essentials – including a new quad lift and renovated chalet – are all in place for the inaugural season, Yule said this first year will serve as a sort of pilot launch for the operation while some work continues.
He said construction of a new 7,500-square-foot out building is still underway. And Yule said rentals this season will be smaller-scale due to limited space.
Still, he said skiers and snowboarders should expect a first-class experience, noting the mountain has a true vertical of 630 feet and that the runs wind from south to north. In addition, the top of the mountain has been redesigned for an enhanced view and greater access to all runs.
“I think we have a great facility here,” said Yule, noting the upgrades represent an estimated investment of some $5 million.
The former Mount Antoine facility closed due to financial challenges more than 14 years ago. And Yule's group, which purchased the facility in 2003, has been working ever since to get the redevelopment off the ground. There were a lot of facets to the project that needed to come together behind the scenes. And a $1 million contribution from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which was announced in July, came as a major boost.
He acknowledged that ski operations can be challenging due dependance on weather. But Yule said his group has done a lot homework and is confident Antoine Mountain will be a success.
He said pointed to a number of other profitable privately-operated ski resorts and noted that Antoine has a catchment area of between 400,000 and 500,000 people to draw from.
Although the group's primary focus is on getting the ski facility up and running, he said there are also plans to operate during the off season utilizing the the chalet for banquets and others events. In addition, Yule said there are opportunities for hiking and biking, as well as potential for future development of additional abutting lands that have been acquired, including a second mountain peek which exceeds 750 vertical feet.
The mountain, which launched its website Friday at antoinemountain.ca with ticket information and other details, will operate Thursdays through Sundays.
Although the redevelopment is still unfinished, Yule said an incredible amount of work has been completed in a short period of time.
Helicopters were used to transport concrete the top of the mountain for the installion of the lift – a job that was made even more difficult due to heavy rain this fall. New high-voltage electrical services have been installed at the site and upgrade to the chalet include waterproofing of the building, restored deck, new toilets, sinks and taps, refinishing and updating and pellet stove to supplement the heating system.
Once completed, the new out building will house retail space, rentals and a ski school, as well as groomers and other equipment. In addition, a new communications tower is expected to be installed nearby.
The lion's share of materials and labour for the redevelopment has been local. And the mountain is expected to create a number of jobs, including those required for operation and maintenance of the ski facility and culinary staff.
Jeff McGirr, director of the Mattawa-Bonfield Economic Development Corporation, said his agency is working with the mountain and other local businesses to put together tourism packages for the area, including options for transportation, that will be rolled out later this winter.
gord.young@sunmedia.ca
http://www.nugget.ca/2014/12/12/antoine-mountain-set-to-open
]]>At long last, Mattawa will once again be known as a ski town.
The former Mount Antoine facility, which was closed due to financial challenges more than 14 years ago, is finally poised to reopen.
An official announcement was made Friday night on stage during Mattawa Voyageur Days, informing the public Antoine Mountain is expected to open for business this winter.
“After 10 years of persistence and dedication, I am very excited to see the vision for Antoine Mountain come to fruition,” said facility president Todd Yule, in a release. “Antoine Mountain will not only re-establish the sport of recreational skiing and snowboarding in the area, it will also serve to act as a major opportunity for local and regional businesses.”
Redevelopment of the ski hill will include the removal of the existing lifts and installation of a new 2014 Doppelmayr quad lift, as well as renovations to the chalet and out buildings.
Both the province and nearby communities are contributing funds toward the project, including a $1 million contribution from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and $100,000 commitment from Mattawa. The Mattawa-Bonfield Economic Development Corporation, as well as Papineau-Cameron and Calvin are each also kicking a $25,000 share.
Additional details about the overall cost and long-term scope of the project, as well the work that's taking place at the facility are expected to be disclosed during another event at the site in October.
A release regarding the announcement, however, indicates that land has been acquired in all directions, including a second mountain peek which exceeds 750 vertical feet. The release also notes the ski hill has two approved subdivisions at its base, totalling 31 lots, including four that have already been developed.
A ribbon-cutting event is expected to take place in December.
The current shareholders purchased the facility in 2003. But various efforts to reopen the ski hill, which has 11 runs and boasts epic views of the Ottawa and Mattawa rivers, have been ongoing since shortly after its closure.
“My vision for Antoine Mountain is to see three generations of skiers – the pioneers, their children who grew up skiing on Antoine Mountain and their grandchildren,” said Janine Goad, the hill's director of marketing and human resources. “I am confident that we can all take a step back, slow down a little and enjoy the traditional ski experience that brings friends, families and communities together.”
Mattawa Mayor Dean Backer said the town was left with a huge void when the hill closed, noting his council worked hard see Antoine Mountain reopen.
“We are so thankful to the owners, Jay Aspin, Vic Fedeli and the local municipalities for always believing that Antoine Mountain would re-open bigger and better,” he said.
Mattawan Mayor Peter Murphy said Friday's announcement is the culmination of a group of people who, rather than seeing what is, have envisioned what can be.
“The redevelopment of Antoine Mountain is just the beginning of renewed economic development in Mattawan Township and in the Mattawa – Bonfield region,” he said. “This is just the beginning of what can be in our region and what, I firmly believe, will be.”
Aspin said the reopening of the ski hill is a perfect example of what can be achieved with teamwork, noting the facility owners worked with the area politicians and local economic development corporation to make the project a reality. He also credited Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle for playing a key role.
“I am very pleased that, by investing in projects such as this one, the Ontario government continues to help grow the Northern Ontario tourism sector, strengthen the regional economy and create new employment opportunities for northerners,” said Gravelle.
Gord.young@sunmedia.ca
]]>Dam Buster, Cliff Hanger, the Ottawa. If those names bring back memories you’ll be happy with Friday’s official announcement--- Mt. Antoine is back in business baby!
And the 4th highest mountain in Ontario (630 vertical feet) is going to feature a new Doppelmayr quad lift that will speed 2,000 skiers and boarders per hour quickly up the side of the hill.
“We’ve taken it to the right so we are going to hug the tree line,” Toronto investor and Antoine Mountain President Todd Yule told BayToday.
“We’re going to open up Dambuster. It’s a beautiful run,” he explained. “I think people will really be impressed by that.”
The two existing lifts, a double and triple will be taken down.
All of the runs will keep their names to honour the history of the club.
While the focus is getting the ski hill, with the longest run in Ontario at km, back in operation, Yule says they have an eye to the future as well.
The opposing mountain to the right is even higher at 750 feet. It has been purchased, and more four-season-like facilities are being looked at.
“We’re taking that year, by year, by year,” Yule says.
As to be expected, surrounding municipalities are excited by the news.
“It’s huge. It’s a whole new beginning,” exclaimed Mattawan Township Mayor Peter Murphy whose jurisdiction the hill falls under.
A long-time skier himself, Murphy watched his two boys learn to ski on Antoine.
“This is going to open up a whole new universe of stuff to do here in the wintertime.
“It’s going to add that quality of life aspect that people who are looking to start a business are looking for.”
For Mattawa Mayor Dean Backer the announcement fills a huge void in the community.
“I know personally that our council has worked extremely hard with a goal to see Antoine Mountain re-open, We are so thankful to the owners, (MP) Jay Aspin, (MPP) Vic Fedeli and the local municipalities for always believing that Antoine Mountain would re-open bigger and better.”
Bonfield Mayor Randy McLaren agrees.
“This is the first time in a long time that I am looking forward to winter’s arrival. Antoine Mountain will compliment winter programming at the Canadian Ecology Centre and is a positive for the entire region.”
You may have noticed one small change…the name is now Antoine Mountain.
Check out Antoine’s new website at www.AntoineMountain.ca
The looming question now of course, will be the impact on North Bay's Laurentian ski hill and whether it can survive without some kind of local government assistance.
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