The “Les Sentiers de la rivire Amde” ski club in Baie-Comeau is a non-profit organization that manages a cross-country ski club and a network of multi-season and multi-use trails. While most structured activities take place in the winter, the trails can be used year-round with activities such as cross-country skiing, walking, cycling, and more. Over the years, the club leaders have put in a lot of effort to promote multi-use and multi-season use of the trails located on both sides of the Amde River.
The club offers twelve cross-country ski trails totalling 38. 5 km for skiers of all levels. There are also two free winter hiking trails, totalling 3. 2 km.
Since 2018, they have also developed 6. 9 km of trails for Fatbiking in winter (equipment rental not currently available due to insurance reasons). The club also provides services such as a Canadian Ski Patrol, two heated shelters, a waxing room, a ski school for youth in collaboration with Club Bcoski, moonlit hiking, equipment rental, and a chalet.
In winter, their main services are housed in the Baie-Comeau Golf Club chalet, including ticket sales, equipment rental, waxing room, storage for members' equipment, and restroom facilities. The partnership with the Baie-Comeau Golf Club allows for the use of this building. The main refuge and meeting point for the trails is the La Rencontre chalet, built in collaboration with the city of Baie-Comeau in the summer of 2003. In May 2004, with the collaboration of the Alcoa Foundation, the toilet facilities were rebuilt, with a new wood heating system now installed.
The club is proud to be associated with the Canadian Ski Patrol (PCS), founded by Dr. Douglas Firth in 1941. With 5000 volunteers in 61 zones and nine divisions across the country, the PCS is a non-profit organization. The honorary president is His Excellency the Right Honorable David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada.
Most PCS members volunteer their time, with some also becoming paid patrollers. They offer various complementary activities such as snowshoeing and hiking, making “Les Sentiers de la rivire Amde” a hub for outdoor enthusiasts in Baie-Comeau.