Louis Dufour

Born in Sainte-Adèle in the Lower Laurentians, Louis Dufour was a former ski racer and a recipient of numerous awards. In the early 70s, he joined the marketing team at Mont Saint-Sauveur, which was still quite rudimentary at the time. The ski area expanded with the arrival of Dufour who played a key role in its development together with owner, Jacques G. Hébert.

Louis introduced unique products for all age groups at Mont Saint-Sauveur. He brought a sense of magic to everything he touched, including the installation of the first high-speed quad chairlift in the Laurentians and a water park. He also developed one of the largest night skiing areas worldwide. Under Louis Dufour’s direction, Mont Saint-Sauveur was transformed into a major tourist attraction which in turn revitalized the downtown village of Saint-Sauveur. To honour his achievements, Saint-Sauveur named a street after Louis Dufour. In 1994, he was inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame.

During Louis’s extensive career, Mont Saint-Sauveur expanded with acquisitions that included Jay Peak in Vermont. Four additional Laurentian ski resorts were acquired between 1987 and 2000, plus a fifth in the Outaouais. Under his reign as CEO, the new umbrella brand “Les Sommets”, was launched in 2016, marking the evolution within the company’s structure.

Louis Dufour was considered a pillar of the ski industry in Canada and was known for his forward-thinking and innovative approach. On the day of his passing on February 18, 2022, a beautiful snowstorm with over 30 cm. of snow fell, which was seen as his parting gift. On February 24, 2022, a torchlight parade was held on Hill 70 in honor of Louis Dufour. He will forever be remembered for his invaluable contribution to the success and expansion of this storied Laurentian resort. We will miss you Louis.