Why Snowboarding and Downhill Skiing Are Not Permitted on Mount Royal
- March 17, 2017
Mount Royal Park is a public space managed by the City of Montréal’s Department of Large Parks, Greening and Mount Royal.
Furthermore, the park is also part and parcel of the Mount Royal Cultural Heritage Site, which falls under the jurisdiction of Quebec’s Ministère de la Culture et des Communications. Together, these governmental instances have implemented a series of rules, master plans, principles and directions, in addition to a global vision of the site, to guide the development and public use of Mount Royal Park.
It is no surprise that Mount Royal Park faces serious challenges with regards to environmental conservation, public security and park use. The importance of making smart decisions relative to the types of activities that are (or not) permitted on Mount Royal is critical for the sustainability of the natural area. Consequently, winter sports and activities for which the City does provide services on Mount Royal include: walking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, snow tubing and skating. These activities were selected for their compatibility with the park and their practice is guided by appropriate regulations.
The pleasure gained by a handful of individuals results in important negative consequences for the mountain, for which we all end up paying a high price. Sadly, those who laud snowboarding or skiing off trail on Mount Royal only serve to encourage others to pursue the same kind of activities that damage our mountain.
Back It is no surprise that Mount Royal Park faces serious challenges with regards to environmental conservation, public security and park use. The importance of making smart decisions relative to the types of activities that are (or not) permitted on Mount Royal is critical for the sustainability of the natural area. Consequently, winter sports and activities for which the City does provide services on Mount Royal include: walking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, snow tubing and skating. These activities were selected for their compatibility with the park and their practice is guided by appropriate regulations.
Impacts of Snowboarding and Downhill Skiing on Mount Royal
Snowboarding and downhill skiing on Mount Royal harm the mountain’s natural environment. The sloped areas are particularly vulnerable because of fragile vegetation regrowth. Snowboarding or skiing over the shrubs and small trees that keep the soil in place damages them and causes substantial erosion. Considerable public funds have been invested in the revegetation of these areas to prevent erosion. Unfortunately, new plantings are greatly damaged by the practice of such sports.The pleasure gained by a handful of individuals results in important negative consequences for the mountain, for which we all end up paying a high price. Sadly, those who laud snowboarding or skiing off trail on Mount Royal only serve to encourage others to pursue the same kind of activities that damage our mountain.