In 1693, Father Louis Soumande explored the heights north of Saint-Joachim on a hunting trip and found land suitable for farming. This land was part of the seigneury of Beaupré, owned by the Séminaire de Québec. The first families settled here around 1730, most of them from Île d’Orléans.
The town at a glance
RCMLa Côte-de-Beaupré
Côte-de-Beaupréat the foot of Mont Sainte-Anne
Life in Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges
The vibe
A family-oriented municipality focused on the outdoors, at the foot of a major ski resort. Residents enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain biking.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes, with some semi-detached houses. Renting is uncommon: in 2021, about one household in eight was renting.
Nearby
Centre national d’entraînement Pierre-Harvey · Chute Jean-Larose · Canyon Sainte-Anne
Good to know
The village has an elementary school, a CPE daycare, a grocery store and a library. The high school, the hospital and the CLSC are a few minutes away by car, and Québec City is about thirty minutes away.
Landmarks
- Mont-Sainte-Anne
- Les Sept-Chutes
- Sentier Mestachibo
History
The history of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges
- 1693Father Louis Soumande explores the area
- 1730First families arrive
- 1916Sept-Chutes power station opens
- 1966Mont-Sainte-Anne resort opens
- 1969“les-Neiges” is added to the name
The village was named after Jean Lyon de Saint-Ferréol, superior of the Séminaire from 1726 to 1734. A first chapel was blessed in 1767, and a stone church replaced it in 1842. The high-altitude climate made farming hard, but the population grew quickly between 1831 and 1851.
The forest and the river then became the parish’s livelihood. In 1916, the Sept-Chutes hydroelectric station began selling electricity. From 1937, a 14.4 km log flume carried timber to the Beaupré mill, where many residents worked.
The opening of the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort in 1966 changed the village’s character. On November 5, 1969, Saint-Ferréol became Saint-Féréol-les-Neiges, a name that recognized the prosperity brought by skiers. The current spelling, with two r’s, was set in 1978.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges
Where is Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges?
On the Côte-de-Beaupré, about 48 km from Québec City, just northeast of Beaupré. The village sits on the eastern foothills of Mont Sainte-Anne, west of Saint-Tite-des-Caps.
Where does the name Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges come from?
It honours Jean Lyon de Saint-Ferréol, superior of the Séminaire de Québec from 1726 to 1734. “Les Neiges” (the snows) was added in 1969 to recognize the prosperity brought by skiing on Mont Sainte-Anne.
Is Mont Sainte-Anne in Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges?
The downhill ski resort is within Beaupré’s limits. Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges covers the mountain’s eastern side, and cross-country skiing takes place there at the Centre national d’entraînement Pierre-Harvey.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges will soon be listed on the site, along with the online rental application. In the meantime, Cléo can notify you as soon as a unit is posted.
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