THE END OF THE ADVENTURE
Together on the trails since 1953
For 73 years, La Cordée has been part of countless moments outdoors: early starts, hard-earned summits, unexpected detours, crackling campfires and long nights under the stars.
For every one of those moments, thank you.
If our advice helped you choose the right gear, discover a new route or head outside with a little more confidence, then we can look back on these 73 years and say: mission accomplished.
Our journey came to an end, but yours is far from over.
We hope our paths cross again. Outdoors. Always.
The La Cordée Team
73 years of adventures
From the Scout Cooperative to the Last Camp. A look back at a story that left its mark on Quebec’s outdoor recreation scene.
1953 - The very beginning
Before becoming the outdoor company we know today, La Cordée was founded in 1953 as Coopérative des scouts. Its mandate was to sell scout uniforms and camping equipment. The Cooperative opened its first store at the corner of Berri and Ontario streets.
The 1960s
Attracted by a growing selection of specialized products, a wider clientele began showing interest in the store. La Cordée then opened its doors to the general public and quickly became an undisputed leader in outdoor equipment sales in Quebec. It rapidly evolved into a camping and hiking store. Climbing gear also made its appearance, making La Cordée the very first store in Quebec to offer such equipment.
The 1970s
In 1974, the first store, located at Berri and Ontario, moved to Sainte-Catherine Street East. During this decade, La Cordée became the largest cross-country ski retailer in the province, with exclusive European imports for its clientele.
The 1980s
La Cordée established itself as one of the leading bicycle retailers in the Greater Montreal area. For a long time La Cordée was the only true specialist in bike touring, it also became a pioneer in mountain biking in 1984. That same winter, La Cordée introduced a backcountry ski binding to the Quebec market for the very first time. Then, in 1985, for skiers eager to experiment, La Cordée introduced a new type of ski: telemark.
The 2000s
Water sports made their way to La Cordée, which quickly became a major player in canoeing and kayaking. In September 2001, the Laval store opened to serve the growing North Shore clientele. Then, in October 2005, to better serve customers in Montérégie, La Cordée opened a third store in Saint-Hubert.
The 2010s
At the turn of the decade, La Cordée launched the transactional side of its website. This new online store allowed outdoor enthusiasts in remote regions to shop more easily. In 2015, La Cordée acquired the store Le Yéti on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, later renamed La Cordée Boutique. Continuing its expansion, in 2018 La Cordée acquired the sporting goods store La Vie Sportive in Quebec City. Renamed La Vie Sportive by La Cordée, the store specialized in alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and cycling.
The 2020s
The 2020s marked a turning point for La Cordée. Having weathered serious financial difficulties, the company set out to restructure, revive its growth and keep pace with a rapidly changing retail industry. Despite these efforts, it announced in September 2026 that it would cease operations.
In October 2026, after 73 years of sharing its love of the outdoors with Quebecers, La Cordée closed its doors for good, leaving behind a legacy rich in adventure.