A Season Comes to an End… and Le Domaine Is Already Moving Forward
As the winter season comes to a close, one question often comes up: what happens at Le Domaine des Pays d’en Haut once the slopes are closed? Behind this seemingly quiet transition lies a strategic and essential period that helps shape the success of future seasons.
From a Large Operational Team to a Strategic Core
During peak operations, Le Domaine can count on a team of up to 150 employees. Once the season ends, that number is reduced to a core group of around ten full-time and part-time permanent staff members. Their mission is clear: oversee the shutdown of operations, complete ongoing projects, and most importantly, lay the groundwork for the next season.
A Time for Review and Continuous Improvement
The end of each season marks an important period of analysis. Comprehensive reviews are carried out across all departments in collaboration with the teams involved. This thorough process helps evaluate successes, identify opportunities for improvement, and anticipate future challenges.
Feedback from both guests and employees plays an essential role in this reflection. It helps highlight realities that may otherwise go unnoticed and allows practices to evolve accordingly. Every situation is approached with the same guiding principle of acting with kindness, fairness, and efficiency toward guests, staff, and partners alike.
These findings then become the foundation of the action plan for the following season.
Staying Connected with Guests
Spring also marks the launch of presales. Running from March through the end of April and until mid-May for certain client groups, these campaigns allow both groups and individual visitors to take advantage of special benefits before the rates increase in the autumn. They also help maintain a strong connection with guests long after the winter season ends.
A Well-Deserved… but Productive Break
At the end of this period, the administrative team wraps up the final files and begins a short break, generally from June to mid-August. This time to recharge is essential after a demanding season and allows the team to return energized to prepare for the next reopening.
At the same time, several closing operations take place, including a full cleaning of the facilities, uniform maintenance, employee file management, and the closure of all service points, including the chalet, snack bar, and sugar shack.
An Active Summer Behind the Scenes
Despite appearances, Le Domaine remains very much active during the summer. The garage team continues working with one clear objective: preparing the site for the next season.
This includes:
- equipment maintenance and repair
- infrastructure upgrades and upkeep
- maintenance of the mountain and outdoor spaces
- management of seasonal work such as lawn mowing — a major task considering the size and variety of the terrain
- cleaning of common areas, including parking lots and circulation areas
The vehicle fleet also receives special attention. Groomers, trucks, tractors, and heavy machinery are inspected, repaired, and restored to ensure they are fully operational as soon as cold weather returns.
Innovating and Building for the Future
Summer is also the ideal time for larger-scale projects. Developed in collaboration with the owners, these initiatives come to life through the expertise of the internal team. Whether major improvements or brand-new installations, these projects help renew and enhance the experience offered to visitors.
At the same time, observations gathered from the seasonal reviews feed into a structured list of projects and optimizations, integrated into the garage team’s planning from May through October.
A Strong Return in the Fall
As early as August, the administrative team returns and begins actively preparing for the upcoming season. This period marks the true kickoff for operations:
- launching recruitment efforts
- deploying marketing strategies
- updating systems and procedures
- planning employee reception and training
- preparing facilities both on the mountain and inside the chalet
- managing inventory and supply orders
- building teams and creating schedules
- organizing field work and snowmaking operations
A Well-Oiled Operation Driven by Passion
While the overall process repeats year after year, no two seasons are ever truly the same. Every improvement, every new project, and every overcome challenge continues to fuel the team’s motivation.
With an agile organization, a dedicated team, and a strong focus on continuous improvement, Le Domaine des Pays d’en Haut is already preparing to welcome guests back for another season — even more efficient, memorable, and exciting than the last.
Have a great summer and see you soon for another incredible season!
