Ski season is lengthy at Tremblant as both snow and water skiing are offered
IAN STALKER
Those visiting Quebec resort destination Tremblant can clearly choose between the type of skiing they wish to undertake.
The Laurentians retreat, best known for its snow skiing, wants to make it clear that it offers water skiing as well, and during the summer has someone on hand who clearly is in a position to give people pointers when it comes to maneuvering on water.
Tremblant spokeswoman Catherine Lacasse notes that summer residents include Pierre Plouffe, who she labels a living water-ski legend and a “really unique character” eager to help those wanting to learn the sport.
“The amount of World championships and other titles that Pierre won over the years are astounding. It’s very hard to keep track,” she says of Plouffe, a Canadian Junior Champion in 1966, part of the Canadian Team from 1968 until 1976, and a coach until 1989. He made the water skiing demo in the Olympics in 1972, but then that sport didn’t appear in the next Olympics in Montreal.
“In the ’80s and ’90s he won several Canadian Championships, and many other competitions,” Plouffe continues. “In 2006, doctors weren’t positive about his health, and he was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Doctors told him to get back into water skiing or else he was on his way to the grave. He started training and got back to water skiing, won the World Championship two years later! But then, he was diagnosed with a cancer, did chemo – that’s why he couldn’t compete for a little while – got back on his feet, 100% recovery, and won at least one discipline at each World Champs from 2010 until now!”
Pierre has also been a coach to the Senior National Water skiing team since 2008.
Tremblant’s Centre Nautique Pierre Plouffe is right off the resort — found next to the Beach and Tennis Club — where guests go for water skiing lessons. Those guests also rent boats, pontoons, kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards.
Lacasse reports that Plouffe lives near Tremblant but heads to Florida from mid-March to May to train. He also skis on the mountain in the winter, as well as going out to Whistler almost every season to ski.
Lacasse adds Tremblant is best-known as a ski resort and “skiing on snow is our primal DNA!”
But she adds that “there is something to do in all seasons. It’s a 4-seasons destination, and I strongly recommend a new activity that is seeing more and more fans: summer skiing. It is such a fun and unique activity, right at the base of the mountain, on a synthetic surface. You climb the small learning hill via the magic carpet and the rentals are at the top where professionals help you gear up and give you a few pointers to get you skiing down in the summer!”
