Vallée Bras-du-Nord

What Vallée Bras-du-Nord does

Vallée Bras-du-Nord (legal name: Coopérative de solidarité Vallée Bras-du-Nord) is a member-owned solidarity cooperative operating an outdoor recreation destination in Saint-Raymond, Quebec, approximately one hour from Quebec City. Founded in 2002 by Frédéric Asselin alongside Danielle Larose, the cooperative maintains a multi-sector trail network spanning 80+ km of hiking, 110+ km of mountain biking, and 17.5 km of river corridor, with five physical starting points (Shannahan, Saint-Raymond, Cantin, Perthuis, Mauvaise) and access enabled through rights of way negotiated with private landowners. Year-round activities include hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, canyoning (delivered via partner Vertaco), via ferrata, fat biking, snowshoeing, ski-hok, and back-country skiing, complemented by accommodations (campsites, van-life, yurts, refuges, chalets, partner hotels), equipment rentals, and bundled adventure packages.

The cooperative monetizes through mandatory online access passes purchased via the Endorphine platform with QR-code validation, accommodation bookings, equipment rentals, packaged experiences (e.g., Canot-Camping from $86/person, Traversée du Philosore 3-day at $115.50), and gift cards sold through Square. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through the valleebrasdunord.com website, supported by the Ondago mobile app for trail navigation on iOS and Android. Anchor events include Festival NORR (Quebec's largest outdoor community gathering), Les 100B7 gravel challenge, and Mini Bras family day as part of Raid Bras du Nord. The cooperative integrates a social mission through Projet En Marche (a youth reintegration program employing approximately 10 at-risk youth annually from the Portneuf region) and the Louis-Jobin outdoor education program with a local secondary school, alongside a 1% for the Planet environmental commitment and pending Biosphere sustainable tourism accreditation.

Name

Vallée Bras-du-Nord

Legal name

Coopérative de solidarité Vallée Bras-du-Nord

Website

https://valleebrasdunord.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vallée Bras-du-Nord is a Quebec solidarity cooperative operating a year-round outdoor recreation destination near Quebec City, serving families, mountain bikers, and adventure travelers with 80+ km of hiking trails, 110+ km of mountain biking, river descents, lodging, and equipment rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (713920), Recreational Goods Rental (532284), Tour Operators (56152), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rock Climbing, Mountaineering & Via Ferrata Guides (THAAADAC), Mountain & Alpine Lodges (THAGAIAE), Snow & Mountain Unique Stays (Chalets, Ski Cabins) (THAMADAL)

Keywords

• Outdoor recreation
• Mountain biking trails
• Hiking trails
• Adventure tourism
• Wilderness accommodations

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-raymond

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Access Fees: Mandatory daily access fees required to enter activity areas. Visitors must purchase access rights in advance through the online booking system.
2. Accommodation Services: Revenue from diverse lodging options: campsites, van life parking, yurts, shelters, chalets, and partner hotels. Reservations made directly or through the cooperative booking system.
3. Equipment Rentals: Rental services for outdoor equipment including fatbikes, mountain bikes, boats (canoes, kayaks), and other adventure gear.
4. Package Deals (Forfaits): Bundled adventure packages combining activities with accommodation, such as Canot-Camping (from $86/person) and Traversée du Philosore 3-day immersion ($115.50).
5. 1% for the Planet Donation Revenue: 1% of annual sales donated to environmental organizations. While this represents an outflow rather than revenue, it demonstrates the cooperative's commitment to environmental causes as part of its business model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vallée Bras-du-Nord operates a trail-based outdoor recreation destination in Saint-Raymond, Quebec, offering year-round activities including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing/kayaking, canyoning, via ferrata, fat biking, snowshoeing, and back-country skiing across an extensive network (80+ km hiking, 110+ km mountain biking, 17.5 km river descent). The cooperative sells mandatory daily access rights, accommodations (campsites, van-life, yurts, refuges, chalets, partner hotels), equipment rentals, and bundled adventure packages to outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Product overview

Vallée Bras-du-Nord is a cooperative outdoor recreation destination offering a comprehensive portfolio of nature-based experiences. The core offering centers on year-round outdoor activities (hiking, mountain biking, canoe/kayak, canyoning, via ferrata, and winter sports including fat biking, snowshoeing/ski-hok, and back-country skiing) paired with diverse accommodations (campsites, van-life parking, yurts, wilderness shelters, cottages, and partner hotels). Adventure packages combine activities with lodging for multi-day experiences. The destination operates through an online booking system for trail access and accommodations, supported by the Ondago mobile app for trail navigation. Gift cards provide an additional revenue stream. The cooperative model emphasizes sustainable and regenerative tourism practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Projet En Marche: A reconciliation project providing professional reintegration opportunities for at-risk youth through outdoor work experience and trail building.
• Programme Plein Air Louis-Jobin

Products and services

• Outdoor Activities Year-round outdoor adventure activities including hiking, mountain biking, canoe/kayak, canyoning (via partner Vertaco), via ferrata, winter hiking, fat biking, snowshoeing (ski-hok), and back-country skiing offered across the Vallée Bras-du-Nord territory in Quebec for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and adventure seekers.
• Accommodations Diverse lodging options including campsites, van-life parking, yurts, wilderness shelters (refuges), rental cottages (chalets), and partner hotels throughout the Vallée Bras-du-Nord region for visitors seeking multi-day stays.
• Adventure Packages (Forfaits) Pre-designed adventure packages combining activities with accommodations, such as Canot-Camping (from $86 per person) and the Traversée du Philosore three-day hiking immersion ($115.50) for visitors seeking bundled multi-day experiences.
• Ondago Mobile App Mobile companion application providing trail maps and navigation for hiking and mountain biking at Vallée Bras-du-Nord, available on iOS App Store and Google Play for outdoor visitors needing digital trail navigation.
• Trail Access Rights Mandatory daily access passes required to use hiking and mountain biking trails across the Vallée Bras-du-Nord network, available through online pre-purchase and validated by QR code on arrival.
• Gift Cards Gift cards with added value available for purchase via the Square marketplace, allowing recipients to choose their own outdoor experiences at Vallée Bras-du-Nord.
• Equipment Rentals Rental services for outdoor adventure equipment including fatbikes, mountain bikes, boats (canoes, kayaks), and other gear for visitors who do not bring their own equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80+ km of hiking trails and 110+ km of mountain biking trails maintained and accessible
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hôtel le RoquemontcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducer-member of the solidarity cooperative, Hôtel le Roquemont is a 41-room hotel with microbrewery, 3 micro-chalets with spa, heated pool, and 250-seat restaurant. Located in Saint-Raymond, it serves as a gathering place for mountain biking enthusiasts and visitors to the valley. Reservations made directly with the hotel.
• VertacocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA well-known company offering canyoning experiences with multiple well-watered courses on the mountainside. Vertaco provides guided canyoning activities for novices and experienced participants as part of the valley's summer activity offerings.
• ParQ / Ministère de l'Éducation du QuébecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership enabling the Accès Nature program providing free access to hiking and mountain biking trails in the Saint-Raymond sector for Quebec residents. Supported financially by Quebec's Ministry of Education.
• 1% for the Planet / Fonds Plein Air 1% pour la planètecoreOthersEnvironmental membership movement committing the cooperative to donate 1% of annual sales before taxes to Quebec environmental organizations dedicated to ecosystem preservation and climate change action. Funds contributed to the collective Fonds Plein Air.
• OndagocoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile application providing trail maps and navigation for hikers and mountain bikers. Outstanding companion app for outdoor activities, available on iOS App Store and Google Play. Partnership enables digital trail access and visitor navigation.
• Local Landowners (Private Property Rights of Way)coreOthersPrivate landowners who grant rights of passage across their properties, enabling the trail network to cross both public lands and private terrains. These collaborative relationships, built through door-to-door negotiations by founders, are essential to the valley's operations.
• Louis-Jobin Outdoor Education Program (École Secondaire Louis-Jobin)minorOthersHigh school outdoor education program connecting adolescents to nature. Initiative addresses rising mental health issues, particularly anxiety disorders in youth, by providing regular outdoor immersion experiences as a mental health and educational wellness lever.
• Various Local Businesses (Saint-Raymond)minorOthersLocal businesses in Saint-Raymond revitalized and collaborating with the cooperative to offer authentic, immersive, and responsible visitor experiences. Includes agricultural producers like Fanny Roy and Pierre Eggen (dairy farmers at Mont du Suisse) who benefit from and support the trail network.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mont-Sainte-Anne: Established Quebec ski resort near Quebec City that has expanded into a year-round outdoor destination with mountain biking, hiking, and lodging. Larger-scale incumbent competing for the same Quebec City day-trip and destination tourism demand.
• Station touristique Stoneham: Quebec City-area ski resort that has expanded into summer mountain biking and outdoor activities. Overlaps with Vallée Bras-du-Nord in the Quebec City catchment for both winter and mountain biking demand.
• SEPAQ: Provincial Crown corporation operating Quebec's national parks and outdoor destinations. Largest incumbent in Quebec outdoor recreation, directly competing with Vallée Bras-du-Nord for the same Quebec-based outdoor tourism demand.

Direct peers

• Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix: Trail-based destination in Charlevoix (Quebec) offering a long-distance hiking trail with staging areas and lodging partners. Highly comparable operating model — managed trail network with paid access and accommodation ecosystem.
• Station touristique Duchesnay: Year-round Quebec outdoor resort near Quebec City offering hiking, skiing, lodging, and educational programming. Comparable destination-park model combining accommodation with seasonal activities in the same catchment.
• Domaine Saint-Bernard: Hautes-Laurentides outdoor destination providing trail-based activities, lodging, and community programming. Closely comparable destination park with multi-season activity mix and Quebec regional tourism positioning.
• Massif du Sud: Quebec mountain outdoor destination offering hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Comparable multi-season mountain recreation operator in Quebec.
• Vallée de la Diable: Laurentians-based outdoor recreation destination offering multi-season activities (hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, snowshoeing) with on-site lodging. Closest direct analogue to Vallée Bras-du-Nord in Quebec — comparable product mix, similar Quebec regional destination model, and overlapping Quebec City / Ottawa-Gatineau catchment.
• Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier (SEPAQ): SEPAQ-managed national park in the same Quebec City region offering hiking, canoeing, camping, and back-country skiing. Direct geographic competitor for the same Quebec City day-trip and weekend outdoor market.
• Kenauk: Large private wilderness reserve in the Outaouais offering outdoor activities, lodging, and nature-based experiences. Comparable destination operator combining private land access with multi-activity outdoor programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/valleebrasdunord
• Facebookfacebook.com/valleebrasdunord
• Instagraminstagram.com/valleebrasdunord

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vallée Bras-du-Nord