From Generation to generation
This year, Le Domaine des Pays d’en Haut celebrates its 70th anniversary. Since 1955, this iconic family business in the Laurentians has continually reinvented itself while remaining true to its roots. Thanks to Arthur and Laurette Raymond, what began with maple syrup production has become, over the decades, a must-see spot for entertainment and gatherings.
Arthur Raymond, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on June 2nd, likely could not have imagined the scale of the adventure he began with his maple grove. In 2025, Le Domaine is renowned far beyond La Cabane and its maple syrup. It is home to Les Glissades, now the largest snow sliding centre in the world, as well as Le Théâtre, L’Hélico, and even the famous Robinet of Piedmont.
A Diversity That Unites
“It’s the variety that keeps the excitement alive,” explains Nicolas Raymond, the founder’s grandson. “Each season has its challenges and highlights: the maple season in spring, Les Glissades in winter, Le Théâtre in summer. We have a team of about 200 people during the peak season; it’s like living in a small village where everything is constantly changing.”
With his sister Julie, Nicolas took over in 2008 alongside their father, Mercier. While Julie has since pursued a different path, she still lends a hand occasionally. This transfer marked the entry of the third generation of the Raymond family at the helm of Le Domaine, and the fifth generation to carry on the maple syrup tradition.
From Father to Son: A Story of Passion
“Working as a family is a school of life,” says Mercier Raymond, Arthur’s son and Nicolas’ father. Having grown up with his father and then worked for nearly 30 years with his now-retired brother, Constant, Mercier has experienced every dynamic possible. “I learned to collaborate and adapt. Today, I share this bond with my son.”
For Nicolas, it’s a daily privilege. “It’s like sharing the same house with your parents,” he explains. “My father and I share a relationship built on deep mutual respect, which makes our collaboration truly unique. We inspire each other with our ideas, and we dream together of what we can create on the mountain.”
Mercier has always been inventive. At only 16 years old, he built a snow groomer suitable for sliding slopes. His creativity subsequently led to several patents, including the only Bobsleigh des neiges (snow bobsleigh). Nicolas smiles as he recalls these memories, “You often find my father in the evening, after everyone else has left, tinkering or testing an idea. Then, the next morning, he arrives with a prototype. It’s inspiring and very motivating for me in my pursuit to be a good successor.”
The Robinet: A Rediscovered Symbol
In 2017, Le Domaine’s team decided to revive the Robinet of Piedmont. The original monument had been abandoned and subsequently transferred to the company. Carefully restored, it is now one of the largest floating faucets recorded in the world. For the Raymond family, it is much more than a curiosity: it is a tribute to the municipality of Piedmont, its waterways, and its rich heritage.
The Unsung Builders: People at the Heart of Success
Too often, the significant impact of the workers on the success of companies is overlooked. At Domaine des Pays d’en Haut, the true key to success lies with its employees. Over the decades, thousands of workers have contributed. “Entire generations of families have left their mark; couples have met here, and deep friendships have been formed,” says Nicolas.
Even today, when asked what the secret to the organization’s success is, the answer is unanimous: employee happiness at work. True to this philosophy, the company invests time and energy to ensure that each employee thrives in their role, convinced that it is its people who make it grow.
A Story of a Legacy
To mark the 70th anniversary, a historical trail has been created on all three sectors of the site. Photographs, anecdotes, and key events retrace the evolution of the company and the family. Nicolas, who actively participated in writing this story, admits to having made some wonderful discoveries himself. “I learned that my grandfather was a pioneer in harvesting maple sap using a tubing system, as well as a significant innovator in the field of maple syrup production. I had no idea before doing my research with the team!”
A Tradition Looking to The Future
Today, Le Domaine des Pays d’en Haut continues to welcome both local and international visitors, who come to discover the joys of sliding and the many attractions offered. Beyond the attractions, the true heart of this place lies in the family values that have been upheld here since 1955: respect, boldness, and a love of a job well done.
Together, Mercier and Nicolas, along with their valued employees, continue to write the history of this unique company, with the same energy as their predecessors. “Le Domaine,” concludes Nicolas, “is a bit like our family home… but open to everyone.”
