Mont Bellevue - February 22, 2024 (Snapshot)


It had been two weeks since I had been on the boards, so tonight I did the 6 - 8pm slot at Bellevue along with my sister Heather, and Lukas. We arrived at the hill around 5:45 with plenty of parking. It had been mild during the day, and at this time it was cooling off. We got ready, printed our tickets, and we were ready to go. Conditions were great, groomed granular on a firm base. The first few runs were soft, and by the third run or so it started to get a bit harder with the cooling temperature. The snow was getting faster. The line up at the Quad was maybe a couple of minutes tops. We finished with about 10 runs or so during the 2 hour slot. A good time was had by all. A Few Scenes from the Night: The Main Snow Park:  What's Left of the Old Pomalift: 

Black Mountain, NH - March 2, 2024


March Break is upon us again for the week of March 4th to 8th which would bring us on a road trip with the family once again. We rented a chalet in Intervale, NH with some friends for the weekend that have 2 kids the same age as Lukas. We were about 15 minutes from the mountain. We were the 4 of us skiing Saturday, and we decided on Black. The weather hadn't been great during the week before, and it showed. We didn't hit any snow on the ground until the Crawford Notch, and then it wasn't a whole lot. There was snow in the woods, and the edges of the road but not like usual.  We arrived at Black at around 8:30am with the temperature at just around freezing with mainly cloudy skies with some sun trying to poke out. The East Bowl Triple Chair, Platter Pull, and Rope Tow were in operation. 30 or so trails were open for skiing. We were skiing on groomed granular to start the day. Not all trails were groomed however. The natural snow runs were running a bit...

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Mont Orford - February 9, 2024


With the kids having a Pedagogical day today from school, I decided to have one myself from work! Lukas had wanted to go to Orford so today was the day. We arrived just after 8am in the parking lot. It was quite mild upon arrival, the temperature was already above zero, with cloudy skies. I purchased Lukas's ticket online the night before, and with myself having a Season's Pass we headed directly to the Hybride after getting dressed as our RFID cards were loaded ready to go. The warm up run was down the 4km, a nice easy cruiser to start the morning. It was a bit breezy on the way up to the top, but it was actually bearable. It wasn't the usual cold breeze that you normally experience going up the Hybride lift. Once on the 4km even though it was mild, you skied groomed pack powder on a nice firm base. Coverage was excellent.  The View of Giroux From the 4km Trail: Then we headed over to the Giroux North Quad for a few rides up. We took the Familiale, another nice eas...

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Mont Bellevue - January 18, 2024


After the snow we had this week (about time), my sister Heather, Lukas, and Abby headed off to an evening at our community ski hill Mont Bellevue. It was chilly however with no wind, it was reasonably comfortable. We arrived at the hill just before 6pm for our 2 hour block. The Magic Carpet, and Quad were in operation as usual. The conditions were great! Groomed packed powder over a forgiving base tonight. The recent snowfall this past few days was a welcomed treat. Bases have been fast and hard recently and with this new snow has made it a bit softer underfoot.  Skiing was available on 5 of 10 trails. Snowmaking was ongoing in the snowpark, along with a few other trails. Coverage was really nice with snow that has fallen recently. The wait at the Quad was maybe 2-3 minutes at most. The trail under the Quad lift, Trail 3 was open now with very good coverage with the snowmaking the had gone on the past week or so. Winter seems to have finally arrived! Lukas had ...

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Mont Bellevue - January 7, 2024 (Snapshot)


Day 5 of the season at Mont Bellevue with a new ski buddy, my sister who hasn't skied in a long time. A couple of inches of new snow, 4/10 trails, with guns blowing snow on a couple of other trails. It's a great place to start for beginners, or if you are getting back in to the sport. Right in the heart of the City of Sherbrooke. Here are a few scenes.

Owl's Head - January 5, 2024


With the day off work, a visit to Owl's Head was just the ticket. My son Lukas tagged along for the ride for his second visit there. He enjoyed his last time out at the mountain to end the season last year. We got up early and arrived just before 8am to take our time getting ready. It had finally chilled off and the snow guns were a blazing to make up for Mother Nature's latest tantrum. It was sunny as we left Sherbrooke, and closer to the mountain we got, it became foggy, and you could not see Owl's Head in the distance. The temperature was around -14 degrees with a bit of a breeze. We got dressed appropriately for the chill. The skiing today was on machine-groomed granular snow on a firm, and sometimes hard base, Coverage was pretty decent. There were 25 trails announced for skiing, and all lifts were in operation. The first ride was up the Summit Quad. This would be Lukas' first time up to the top. Guns were set up on the Kamikaze blowing snow the whole length of the trail in h...

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Mont Bellevue - December 26, 2023


With another forecast of rain in the next day or two, Lukas and I headed off to our community ski hill Mont Bellevue for a couple of hours to scratch the itch. We've had two (not so) decent rain events over the last few weeks that haven't been helpful whatsoever. Booked our tickets this morning just before leaving home, and booking online is pretty simple to do. Once you get your email confirming the purchase, you can print your lift ticket right at the outdoor kiosk. At Bellevue, you still get your paper ticket and wicket, (yes they are called wickets), to put on your jacket. It's still the old-school way here. No RFID cards yet.  We arrived early at 8:30 to get ready for our 9:00 - 11:00 slot. It was pretty mild as the temperatures did not get below freezing last night. It was cloudy with a few sun breaks, but that didn't last very long. It got cloudy as the time progressed. There were only two trails available plus a snow park on one of the loop tr...

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Mont Orford - December 14, 2023


It's the start of the 2023-24 at last, so off it was to Mont Orford for the morning. The kids tagged along for the ride. We arrived at a little after 8 to get ready for the day. It was a beautiful sunny day with the temperature at around -11 degrees. We got dressed, and headed outside. There were 16 trails available with two lifts. The Giroux North Quad & the Alfred Desrochers Quad were in operation. We headed up the Giroux North Quad for the first run of the day. It was fairly breezy on the ride up, however we were dressed for it. At the summit, the was a steady   wind. As you descended the trail it was more comfortable. We headed down the Familiale and the conditions were really decent. Groomed packed powder with a firm base was awaiting for skiing. We have had a couple of dumps of snow recently but of the wet variety. Great for building base. It's been fairly warm for December. We did get about 5cm of actual fluffy snow the night before which made for a nice toppi...

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Owl's Head - April 7, 2023

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For what might be the closer to the 2022-23 season, Lukas and I headed off to Owl's Head today for his first visit there. He's heard of the stories of my working there way back when, so it was his time to experience the mountain for himself. We left early, and arrived just before 8. There were a few cars already in the lot when we got there. It was partly sunny, and mild but wow the wind was howling! I wasn't expecting to be windy. We got ready, picked up Lukas' RFID card, and headed outside to get ready for the morning. The schedule was for the Summit Quad, Family Quad, and the Panorama to spin today. I ran into my buddy Adam who works at the mountain, and let me know that the Summit Quad was on wind hold. It was blustery at the base of the mountain, and...

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Mont Orford - March 29, 2023

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Today was parent volunteer day for my son Lukas' ski outing for school, and of course I couldn't pass on this opportunity to go with them. We met at his school for us to board the bus to head out. We arrived at Orford just a little after 9:30 to a bluebird sky, and mild temperatures. There was a good group of students that came along for the trip with a few teachers, and parent volunteers. We got settled in the chalet in our area, and got ready to go. After helping some of the students for their rentals, and their boot fitting, it was time to meet up with the group instructors. Once everyone was grouped up, it was pretty much free time for us to enjoy the morning. By then it was about 10:15. I met up with my long time best friend Christian, and spent the morning skiing....

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Mont Bellevue - March 25, 2023

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Back to skiing it was, since the trip to New Hampshire (Black Mountain) earlier in the month. Took a bit of a break. Today was at Mont Bellevue for what is to be their last weekend of the 2022-23 season. Tomorrow is supposed the last day. We arrived at the hill at 8:30 to a few cars in the parking lot, and were the first skis on the rack. The morning had started out sunny, but progressively was clouding over as the morning went along. Lots of space in the chalet to get ready as it wasn't crowded, and to print our tickets from the portable kiosk they have there. A simple scan of the bar code from the e-ticket that's emailed to you when you purchase online. It had been mild, and rained a bit during the week. Coverage was still pretty decent considering, and conditions were machine groomed granular...

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Black Mountain, NH - March 2, 2023

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With school break in full swing, we spent a few days in North Conway, NH with the kids. The last time below the border for me skiing was February of 2019, or anyone in the family for that matter since we had gone down to the USA. I had thought of a few places that I would maybe ski, and ended up choosing Black Mountain. I had been here in March 2016 where they did not have much snow that year, and what they had gotten soon melted days later. This time there was snow! In the days prior to my arrival they received 18 - 24 inches, and the night before my visit another 6 or so inches. Black Mountain is about 25 minutes from North Conway, in the town of Jackson. I arrived just at 9 am and I was actually the third car in the parking lot! I...

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Mont Orford - February 27, 2023

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School Break in Quebec is now upon us. Abby, Lukas, and I headed off to Mont Orford for a special day of skiing today to start off the week. Certainly a change of scenery from Mont Bellevue these past few weekends. We arrived at the mountain just before 8am to sunny skies. This trip would be Abby & Lukas' second visit at Orford to ski. Once we got dressed, and got their RFID cards it was go time. The Hybrid, Giroux North & East along with the Alfred Desrochers Quad were in operation. The Rapido Triple was not.  There was a line up before opening to get first tracks at the Hybrid, which thinned out by the time we were ready to go. The first runs were for the Magic Carpet for Abby & Lukas with a warm up, then over to the Hybrid on the 4km, an Easy trail as...

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Mont Bellevue - February 18, 2023

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Off with the kids again to Mont Bellevue. Seems like this is getting to be a weekly outing now. I don't mind as skiing here is quite affordable. It's also a great activity to get them out of the house for some exercise, and fresh air. We arrived at the hill just after 8:30 just before everyone arrived, to get a decent spot to get ready in the chalet, and to get a spot to place our bags. It was a fresh -18 degrees to start the day but it quickly warmed up. The Quad and the Magic Carpet were in operation. The Poma is down for the season unfortunately. The conditions were fast as we had some freezing rain Friday during the day with a light dusting of snow on top. The trails were of groomed granular snow over a firm base. They did a great job of grooming this...

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Owl's Head - February 7, 2023

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I received a text Monday from my friend Adam wondering what I was up to on Tuesday. Normally I'd be in the office however it had been quiet on the phone. So I asked for Tuesday away, and it was no problem for a ski day. Thank you for my colleague Brady for covering the phones on this day. So Owl's Head was the choix du jour for the day. I picked Adam up, and off we went. We arrived at the mountain at roughly 8:30 to a bright blue sky. Temperature was a fresh -12 degrees. We got ready in the chalet, and picked up our passes. All four Quad chairs were in operation with 48 of 50 trails available. It had been awhile since I'd been last, and was overdue. First run up was on the Summit Quad and one Lilly's Leap to warm up, and then headed down...

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Mont Bellevue - February 2, 2023

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Mont Bellevue - some scenes from last night February 2, 2023. Great little community hill in the heart of Sherbrooke, QC

Mont Orford - January 25, 2023

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Taking the day off work, Mont Orford was the "office" of choice for the morning. I arrived at about 8:15 and the parking lot was already filling up. The temperature was a fresh -18 degrees under partly sunny skies which cleared out during the morning. 26 of 43 trails were open with the Hybride, Giroux North, and Alfred Desrochers Quad in operation.  I started the day off with the a couple of runs up the Hybride to ski the Trois Ruisseaux, and Maxi trails to get fresh tracks early. The conditions were great with a groomed packed powder over a firm base. I got the tough stuff out of the way first. A great warm up to begin the day.   The Trois Ruisseaux & Maxi: Once the tough stuff was done, I made my way over to the Alfred Desrochers Quad. This is my favourite sector of the mountain especially...

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Mont Bellevue - January 21, 2023

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Back at Bellevue with the kids! They had been wanting to go again, and asking multiple times this past week so off we went. I had booked another 2-hour block online last night along with rentals for my son. We had gone last night to a shop in Sherbrooke that I get my skis done, and they were having a moving sale so we went to check it out. We walked with a new pair of skis, and boots for my daughter. She was pretty happy, and couldn't wait to try out her new stuff.  We arrived at the hill for 8:30 to mainly cloudy skies with the sun trying to poke through. It was fairly mild, just at about -5 degrees. What a difference a couple of weeks make! We did get some snow throughout the week and a bit but not the dump we desperately need. 5 of the...

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Mont Bellevue - January 7, 2023

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Today's visit was to Mont Bellevue, our local ski hill in the heart of the city of Sherbrooke. The weather has been absolutely horrible as of late with very little snow, and what snow that has fallen, has since melted with warm temperatures and rain. We are in desperate need of a good old fashioned dump of snow. 4 of the 10 trails at Bellevue were opened with the Magic Carpet, and the Quad. The Poma has been closed for the season, and won't be operating. I haven't heard the reason why for the closure. Today was a family day for skiing as my daughter, and son were asking to go. So Bellevue was it. It is a great hill for beginners to "cut their skis" on as most of the terrain here is easy.  We arrived at 8:45 to get the kids set up for their rental skis, and boots....

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Mont Gleason - December 28, 2022

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After looking at the long range forecast for New Year's weekend being wet, or supposed to be wet, I took the chance in heading off to Mont Gleason today. Last night was clear with the stars out. This morning I woke up to flurries and about 5 centimetres on the car. I had booked my lift ticket online via the maneige.com site using my Passe Partout discount card last night. The drive wasn't great, however once skis touched down coming off the lift, it was a different story. I arrived at the mountain just before 9am to flurries and temperature of about -7 degrees. 9 of the 20 trails were advertised as open. The Mylene Laroche Quad was open.  Conditions were an unexpected surprise. Groomed man made snow, and packed powder with about 5-7 centimetres of what fell overnight was the menu of the day. I didn't run into any ice...

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Mont Orford - December 15, 2022

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The 2022-23 season has finally begun. I arrived just before 8:30, and the temperature was already just above 0 degrees with a mostly cloudy sky. Four trails were available today, along the Giroux North quad, and the Magic Carpet. The Familliale, Magog, Jean d'Avignon, Mitaine were the choice of runs. Mother Nature hasn't been great to us to start off the season, but that will probably change for tomorrow. It's supposed to snow....finally. What we skied today was mostly machine made snow. The mountain ops team has done a great job to get what was open! Coverage was really good for the start of the season.  The first run of the year was down the Famillale, a nice easy Green run. Coverage was great, and no ice or obstacles to avoid. At the top of Giroux it was a touch foggy, but not socked in. The fog had burned off by...

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Mont Orford - April 6, 2022


For what would most likely be my last day of the 2021-22 ski season, I felt that it was appropriate to end it at my home mountain. With the forecast for the next few days of rain and warm temperatures, it was time to take advantage and not wait. I arrived at the mountain early at 8 under a beautiful blue sky and temps already above 0. First ride was up the Alfred Desrochers Quad for a warm up lap on the Toussiski and then over to the bottom of the Super under the Hybride Chair. The coverage was still pretty good since it has been warm and sunny Monday and Tuesday. In the shade the snow was still a bit firm, but once out in the sun it was soft. The brooks were running which made for a nice soothing ride on the chair.  The Toussiski, and a view looking up the Maxi and Mont Orford. I caught up with my ski buddy Christian for a run up the Hybride for the 4KM trail. Again coverage was pretty good and was also groomed. Not all trails were groomed so we stayed on those trails. The s...

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Mont Orford - March 16, 2022


With the long range forecast anouncing warm, and wet weather for the next few days I made it out to Orford today before it gets messy. I arrived at the mountain for 8:15 and the parking lot was filling up fast. The temperature was mild already at just about freezing under partly cloudy skies. Booted up at the car, headed off to the Hybride for first runs until I saw a crowd already waiting. I turned my attention to the Alfred Desrochers Quad and headed that way. I made third chair up for first runs! I ended up making 3 laps here. The conditions were sweet with groomed loose granular over a firm base that was softening up quickly. Warm up run on the Toussiski over to the bottom of the Super then back up the new Quad for the Grande Allee.  The Toussiski and Grande Allee: From here it was over to the Giroux North Quad for a run down the Magnum. I then headed over to the Giroux East Quad via the Passe Montagne trail which I have never skied before in all the years skiing at Orfor...

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Mont Orford - February 16, 2022


Today with the day off I got out to Mont Orford for visit number 2 of the season. I arrived at the mountain at 8:15 and the parking lot P2 was filling up quickly! On a Wednesday! I still managed to get a decent spot so the walk wasn't too bad. It was a fresh -14 degrees under a cloudy sky. While I was booting up at the car, you could hear the wind blowing around the mountain. The wind wasn't bad at the base. The Hybride, The Giroux  North & East Quads, and the Alfred Desrochers Quad were in operation today.  Normally I would have taken the first run up the Hybride to warm up, but this time I did something different. I rode the new Alfred Desrochers Quad for first run. The ride is quite nice on this new lift compared to the old Double Chair. The first run was down the Tousisski. The wind was blowing a bit up near the top of the ride. The conditions were of groomed packed powder over a firm base. Coverage was really nice. From there I crossed over to the Hybride f...

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Mont Bellevue - February 2, 2022


It had been awhile since the last ski day so I booked a 2 hour block ticket for Mont Bellevue online late last night. I booked in for the 5pm to 7pm slot. It cost all of $12 being a resident of the city. I arrived at Bellevue just before 5 to boot up and get ready. It was a nice mild day today in Sherbrooke compared to the last few weeks of bitter cold, so I took advantage of the time. The temperature was +4 degrees. The Poma, Magic Carpet, and Quad chair were in operation. It had been awhile since I skied here last. The last time here was pre-pandemic times during the 2018-19 season. I missed out on the last couple of seasons.  The conditions were really nice this evening, being groomed packed powder over a firm but forgiving base. No ice anywhere to be found. With the mild temperature today, I thought the snow would be a little springlike, but much to my surprise it wasn't. The mountain was fully open with all 10 trails, well groomed with the e...

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