Vorlage owners frustrated by NCC-funded shuttle to Camp Fortune

The owners of Vorlage ski hill are frustrated by a new NCC winter shuttle to Camp Fortune. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

The owners of Vorlage ski resort in Wakefield, Que. are frustrated over a free National Capital Commission (NCC) funded shuttle to a nearby competing hill.

They say the route is unfair and hurting their business.

The NCC launched a pilot shuttle this winter to reduce congestion in Gatineau Park. Vorlage is located about 30 kilometres north of Camp Fortune, just outside of the park.

One of the shuttle’s two stops is at Camp Fortune, which isn’t sitting well with Vorlage co-owner Alexandre Gaboury.

“If they’re able to promote a free shuttle directly to Camp Fortune, well, for us, there’s no way we’ll be able to compete with that,” Gaboury said.

Gaboury says the NCC is using public funds for the shuttle, which directly benefits his competitor.

“The big aspect behind that, it’s all public money,” he said. “Right now, they’re spending public money, helping a private company.”

Longtime skier and Vorlage member Mark Paquin said the hill is difficult to reach for some people.

“It’s a bit of a drive from Ottawa. If you don’t have a car, you’re out of luck,” he said.

He added that a free shuttle to Vorlage would help bring more people to the slopes.

“If they’re going to do it for one, they should do it for all. Make it fair,” Paquin said. “They’re all nice ski hills and a day like today, there would probably be more people here if they could get here.”

Some skiers said Camp Fortune is already busy enough without the need for a shuttle.

“This is a great place to go,” said Vorlage skier Gavin Schnobb. “I’ve heard Camp Fortune is really busy, so maybe they could share some of their wealth.”

Another skier said, “There’s more people there to demand it. Camp Fortune obviously has a lot of draw for the city,”

Some at Vorlage said they like it as it is, saying it cuts down on crowds.

“As a local, we love it like this,” said one skier. “Nobody here. We got the place to ourselves.”

The owners say they’re hopeful the NCC will consider adding more resorts next winter.

“It’s a pilot project right now,” Gaboury said. “There’s no way that they can change the project at this point. So that was the official response from the NCC.”

Camp Fortune did not comment and directed inquiries to the NCC.

In a statement, the NCC said the shuttle is a pilot project that is part of its sustainable transportation strategy.

“In the first year of this pilot project, the bus will stop at Relais plein air and Camp Fortune, to reduce congestion at these central locations. People can rent equipment, including accessible equipment; take a break to warm up; and purchase food and hot beverages at both of these starting points. Both locations are in Gatineau Park and close to cross-country skiing, winter biking and snowshoe trails,” the statement said.

“Gatineau Park hosts approximately 2.6 million visitors annually, and 90% of these are from the Ottawa-Gatineau region. As outlined in the Gatineau Park Master Plan (2021), the NCC’s sustainable transportation strategy aims to improve the environment, the public’s experience and park accessibility, which greatly relies on decreasing vehicular traffic. In order to achieve these goals, the NCC is implementing alternatives that facilitate travel in the park.”