Mont-Sainte-Anne ski resort gets green light to reopen Sunday

Skiiers can once again hit the slopes of Mont-Sainte-Anne, near Quebec City, as of Jan. 8.

TheRgie du btiment du Qubec(RBQ)has authorized the reopening of four of the resort's five lifts that were shut down after a gondola fell to the ground last month. Though nobody was injured in the incident, the resort has been closed since Dec. 10.

Visitors will have access to 26slopes.

Before allowing the ski resort to resume operations, the RBQordered it to prove the safety of its facilities.

It also asked for an expert's report explaining the gondola's malfunction,that all lifts undergo a comprehensive verification and that the resort obtain a safety certificate signed by an engineer.

The RBQ said it reviewed the documentation provided and was satisfied, but it is still waiting for the operator to prove the safety of thegondola line,L'toile filante(shooting star). A security clearance signed by an engineer has still not been provided, it said.

"We hope that all of the work that has been done and the external reports on the safety of our facilities will alleviate the concerns of our visitors," said the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort in a news release.

"Please note that the work plan for the gondola [line] is still in progress, including the safety certifications required for its reopening."

The resort had also been ordered to put in place a training plan for personnel.