MAGICAL MOMENT LIVED AT MONT SUTTON
People will long remember where they were on April 8, 2024, during the total solar eclipse. At Mont SUTTON, we were lucky enough to be in the band of totality, with darkness lasting nearly 3 minutes 30 seconds… one of the longest experiences of the event, yet it passed in a flash!
On the mountain from the morning, an extremely pleasant spring temperature and radiant sunshine. We couldn’t have asked for more! The Mont SUTTON experience? Skiing for amateurs and a chairlift ride for the general public, usually a summer activity. It’s a first for the ski resort to open its domain to pedestrians while the ski season continues.
Three observation points
Three observation points were available to enable as many people as possible to experience this exceptional astronomical event, which for many is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although a total solar eclipse will no longer be visible from Quebec until 2106, there will be others in the meantime elsewhere in the world.
With a more-than-perfect spring day and a ski area that was almost entirely open, with 57 of its 60 trails at their disposal, skiers quickly took their places at Chalet Alt. 840m, to observe the total solar eclipse from the highest possible vantage point, where they were even offered a BBQ. As for the chairlift ride offered to pedestrians, it quickly sold out last week. Those lucky enough to get tickets were taken to the Chalet Alt. 680m, where an amateur astronomer was on hand to explain each phase of the eclipse and answer any questions the curious might have. The chalet terrace, belvedere and top of the slopes were all crowded with enthusiastic visitors. Finally, the terrace of Bar Le Tucker, at Chalet Alt. 400m, was also open to welcome all those wanting to live the experience at the mountain.
With three drastically different elevation points, three completely distinct experiences were then offer. While at the two highest peaks, a drop of around 10 degrees was quickly felt, magnificent sunsets revealed themselves over the landscape of the area just before the moment of darkness. Spectators at 400m were instead served the shadows of conifers on the white slopes and the confused chirping of birds, creating a true enchantment. One thing remained the same: the general amazement, the candid, emotional and happy exclamations of several hundred spectators gathered in synchronous communion when no one really knew what awaited them. Venus and Jupiter rounded off the magical moment, while the sky looked very different depending on where we were on the mountain!
A moment that will live long in the memory
It’s certainly an indelible day that ends in the minds and hearts of thousands of Quebecers this evening, and at Mont SUTTON, the images of the day will definitely go down in history! We’d like to thank all the skiers, visitors and employees who joined us to make this unique event a resounding success!
See a few photos of the completely unique event below:
