I'm going to MSA this year to spectate the race. It'll be my first time ever at a World Cup and I'm very excited. I'm hoping some folks in this community can provide some advice on what to expect, must see / experience things, give me the gist. A few questions and context to get the blood flowing..
I have the availability to go on Friday for practice and qualies, can't stick around for Semis. My wife and in-laws are going to attend with me on Saturday for the race finals.
It looks like the gondola is available for pedestrian traffic... Not having been to a WC before but obviously having raced for a decade, I know that sharing lift access to both riders, mechanics, team staff as well as spectators can be a major difficulty for everyone. Are there certain periods the public can't use the gondola? Is it any different for pedestrians on quali day vs finals day? TLDR What's the major takeaways for using the gondola?
Once I'm on the hill, where should I focus my time? I've watched the broadcasted race since 2011 and am familiar with the track in general and the filmed sections.
What's getting into and out of the venue like, on quali day and finals day? Should I assume it's like Washougal or any other major event and it's a cluster f*ck? Mostly concerned with having the family attend with me and trying to set expectations.
For the family time, is it worth paying for the tickets to "The Chalets-Village Fan Zone"? Or should we go park it on the hill and try to watch the live broadcast from our phones?
Is there security checking bags at the entrance / are there any restrictions to what we can bring into the venue?
Hopefully this is a good general starting point.
Really appreciate any constructive help along the way.
French😂
Quite a few questions in there but will try to cover most of them.
-Gondola is available for pedestrians but priority is given to racer, team staff,media,marshals etc and you have to pay about 35$ cdn for an adult or 70$ for a family with 2 kids . Since MSA has been hosting a WC for the last 20 year on pretty much the same trail, there is a decent hiking path beside the track. If you and your family is in decent shape I would say the best is to hike from the finish/bottom of the track and make your way up to the first wood section (welcome to the rock) during junior races this way you can get a feel how each main section looks.
I would say there is 3-4 main spot for spectating during the races:
la #2 which is the steep multi-line loamy section with the sharp left turn at the bottom
Stevie Smith drop and the open part after in the ski trail.
Les dalles which is the janky off-camber rock section
Bois sans nom which is the section after les dalles where the Minaar gap is
Out of the 4, les Dalles is usually the one with the most people so if you want a good spot there get there early.
Lets say you are in Les Dalles and want to be at the finish line for last 5 elite men, i would say you need to start making your way down around last 20 riders or so.
This year the WC is not during canadian thanksgiving so people will less likely have the friday off so qualifying day should be relatively calm on site and getting in/out of the site.
During race day, even if it's raining there should still be lots of people on site but parking spot are spread around and many people will have friends/relatives/rented place nearby where they walk to and from and many will stay around for the party in the evening so navigating the site will be harder during race day but not too bad for getting in/out of Saint-Anne.
Chalets-Village Fan zone is just another name for the vip area at the finish line, there are a few big screen for peasant to follow the race at the finish line and wireless signal is generally good in the mountain so you can also easily follow with your phone at one of the key section.
Regarding security on site, there will be some guards patrolling around and your not allowed to bring your own beverage at the party section in the evening but in the mountain during the race, you can bring whatever you want (yes weed is legal in Canada but good manner regarding smoking is still appreciated by others)
And Mont-Saint-Anne is still a general touristic region so you should be able to speak english with most people.
Hopefully that covers most of your questions.
Thanks so much for that. Pretty much covered all my bases. Really looking forward to it!
never been to MSA, but other US WCs. i've personally always worn hiking shoes or something similar. take a backpack with water/snacks, and beer if that's your thing (depending on local rules, i never had an issue). back when Windham hostedraces, at least a few years they set up a portable bar mid mountain on an access road near the course.
cowbell or other noisemaker is mandatory. be prepared to cheer and have a blast. and be blown away by seeing how fast WC racers are in person.
Not sure where your heading there from but make sure to check the weather and dress for it, nothing will ruin the day quicker than being wet and/or cold (or one of your kids)
I have been a couple of times, including last year. Both times I took the gondola up and walked down to see the race from multiple locations. That said, if anyone has bad knees, then maybe stick to the bottom of the hill. You would be walking down ski runs and through the woods so bring appropriate footwear.
The gondola line last year took about 45 minutes what with other spectators and racers. So plan accordingly to ensure you are there well in advance of the start. I think I purchased that online https://msabillets.com/en/product/lift-and-hiking/
Maybe look to park south of the venue - on the west side (assuming you are staying west of MSA ie Quebec City) for a quicker escape. Cars were parked along the roadside and there is a nice gravel path to get to the ski hill - see the green trail below - follow it right up the gondola just to the left of the red trail at the top. There was also parking along the road where the trail becomes paved when it heads towards the ski hill off Boulevard du Beaupre:
There was a beer vendor in the pits last year so there's that... Have fun and go Finn go!
October in MSA/Quebec could have some really crappy weather, be prepared!
Hey dude, thanks so much for this detailed info. Especially gondola and parking beta. That's immensely helpful.
Also worth mentioning that Quebec City itself is GORGEOUS and you'll want to spend some time there with the fam. It's like Europe in North America.
I'd second this!! The whole area is awesome.
Also make sure if it is warm enough to bring swimming clothes and cross the street from MSA to go hike to the waterfall and go swimming. Chute jean larose.
I just remembered that I flew direct from Vancouver to Montreal and rented a car for the 4 hour drive to MSA. There were no direct flights to Quebec City and the timing to wait for a connecting flight was going to be worse than driving from Montreal. Not sure what it will be like from Seattle but you may consider a similar option.
And you should plan to do some riding! I did a morning at Sentiers du Moulin (~45 mins from MSA) on a rental Pivot and it was fantastic. Fall foliage and a great trail network. The region has really blown up with amazing riding spots.
Visited Quebec 2 summers ago. Stayed in Montreal & Quebec City with riding in the AM at nearby locations. If you have the ability to ride any trails in Quebec City, I'd highly encourage it! We were all from the southeastern USA.
We only had time to visit during race day. we parked at a gravel lot across the street with a walk to the pit area. Checked out the pits with spouses and got some photos with riders if they were open to it. Walked uphill to the last huge rock garden, was so sick to see in person after all these years watching. Made our way down to finish area and saw Finn win!
DH WC racing is always wayyy gnarlier and insane to watch in person. The speed cannot be understood from a TV or screen.
That being said - I've been to a few other WC races. If you have time - spend a practice day checking out the whole course. Gondola up and walk down, or hike up and take gondola down if they let you? Seeing riders in all the sections is so cool.
Find a couple favorite spots on race day to see and strategize where you want to be to see top ladies and top men riders. And have fun!!! Take plenty of supplies in a backpack when walking the course. You will practically be on an all-day hike. And be prepared for rain or snow w/ layers!!
My ancestors arrived in Ste Anne de Beaupre from France in the 1780’s. If you have any French or Acadian blood in you, your family also likely arrived via Ste Anne. If you have a French surname, I highly recommend heading to the cathedral near the falls and paging through the book of names. On my first visit to MSA in 1997, i found signatures from ancestors who used to make a yearly bicycle pilgrimage from the Maine Coast to Mt Ste Anne in the late 19th century! Bicycles, hospitality and Ste Anne go ALL the way back.
Iam not catholic, but visiting the reliquary at the cathedral will fill you with good mojo, Ste Anne is the patron saint of safe atlantic ocean crossings.
The best dh spectating at any world cup is during practice in the days before the race. Make sure to find and print yourself start lists so you can identify and heckle all riders.
Ideally i like to watch a few days of practice if i make the trip, just being there for finals is kinda overwhelming and anti climactic- the stories you can write in your own head by whatching riders developing speed throughout the week first hand are the stories that will stick with you.
Thanks for all this feedback everyone!
Good karting track about 20 minutes back towards Quebec City
https://www.kcr-karting.com/
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