Forgotten Trail, Mont Proulx, Photo Credit: Paul Giddings, 2012
Mont Proulx was a small ski area located between the communities of Kingsey Falls and St. Felix de Kingsey, Quebec about 1 hour Northeast from Sherbrooke. The ski area was owned and operated by Claude Proulx who in 1961 started construction, and cutting the trails with close friend Ivan Frost. Mont Proulx opened for skiing in 1962 after their hard work with 4 trails, and a one pomalift that was powered by a transmission, and motor from an old Chevy truck.
There was night skiing on all four trails, skating on the ice rink for those who did not ski, and during the evenings the chalet hosted people for dining, and later at night there would be music and dancing. The ski hill was a very popular spot with the local crowd, and the surrounding area. Claude and Ivan worked closely side by side during the short time the hill was open.
By 1969 due to stricter Government regulations being put in place the hill was forced to close. The chalet continued to host parties, and other public functions for a few years after the ski hill’s closing. Since the closure of the mountain, Ivan had passed away in a farming accident, and Claude continued to live in the area nearby. The area was located just off route 255 on a side road named Route de Mont Proulx.
Today there is nothing left at the base of the mountain. The chalet no longer exists nor are there any other buildings left to be found. The entrance to the site is somewhat identifiable from the road, however no trails are evident from this point. The lift line is located to the left of the entrance accessible by a trail for all terrain vehicles, and is clear enough to follow up the mountain. None of the lift towers are standing nor any of the cement bases found, but as you head up the trail, one of the tower heads with a couple of pullies were lying on the ground beside the lift line. Just over the rise one can find the top return tower, and cabin that housed the motor, and where the top lift operator was located. There are some parts that are still there just rusting away, and the cabin has since collapsed. One interesting feature that was discovered in regards to the pomalift was the way the return bullwheel was secured. There were cables to keep tension on the lift that were tightly wound around a tree. Those cables are still there, disappearing into the tree after all these years.
Mont Proulx was in operation from 1962 to 1969 with 1 lift, and 4 trails. Ski guides that were published during this era had the vertical 500 foot which may have been exaggerated a little. While the trails have faded away as nature has reclaimed them, Mont Proulx is the perfect example of a lost ski area.
Info Source: Telephone interview with former owner Claude Proulx December 2012.
Photos: Paul Giddings
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