In addition to its logging activities, Saint-Ferréol underwent two major development stages that were also related to its natural heritage. In the early 20th century, a dam was built on the Sainte-Anne River, at the height of Sept-Chutes: the hydroelectric plant generated its first kilowatts in 1916. Then, as of the 1970s, a winter sports centre was developed for the Mont Sainte-Anne; this transformed the village of Saint-Ferréol, which grew into a resort area. This explains why Saint-Ferréol was renamed Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges in 1969.Picture: The Québec Power Co. dam on the Sainte-Anne River, at Sept-Chutes in Saint-Ferréol (J.W. Michaud, 1949. BANQ E6, S7, S11, P69548-49.)
The Mestachibo trail was inaugurated in 2002 as a section of the Trans-Canada Trail. It runs nearly 12 km, from the Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges church to the Jean Larose waterfall at the foot of the Mont Sainte-Anne. The trail follows the Sainte-Anne River, which it crosses by means of two 70-metre footbridges. It has earned its name, given that “mestachibo” means “great river” or “having many waterfalls” in Huron.Picture: The Sainte-Anne du Nord River at the Mestachibo trail (Denis Lachance. Coll. of Sentier Mestachibo)