Well, all the snow from the storm last Tuesday/Wednesday has held up great at Camp Fortune. The conditions are killer with nicely groomed snow, perfect for high angle carving at high speed.  We arrived in time to get a bunch of runs on Heggtviet and Duffy before the sun went down just before 6.  The bumps and cliff drops on Duffy were super fun. Hegg you could just rail on.  Swan Dive was a little more of a technical ski as the bumps were huge and rather unforgiving. Pretty much all the other groomed trails were in excellent shape with the exception Bud Clark which was getting a little scrapped down to the base at the top section.  Overall another great night of skiing with a full moon adding to the ambiance.  Oh and the Boreale IPA du Nord-Est at the bar is super tasty. Swan Dive. Duffy in the sun.

Welcome to the white room. 35cms of fresh light powder had fallen over night and it was still snowing when we arrived at Mont Ste Marie.  Only a single run was groomed everything else was left as virgin powder.  Total nirvana.  The temperatures were mild at around -5c and hardly anyone had made the hour drive up from Ottawa. In fact the lifts started a little late because there was so much snow to shovel out from the entrances and exits of the quads.  The new glades are killer and add so much to the terrain. Deep Purple and Vertigo fall through a steep pine forest before exiting at the bottom of Crescendo.  You enter the three runs (also the old Klotz trail) from the left of Formidable. I'll let the photos tell the rest of the tale. My legs were jello by last chair.  The best day of the year so...

We rolled into Mont Ste Marie just before 10 after a long drive that included being stuck behind plows, big trucks and driving in a white out.  Well the drive was worth it.  MSM with 1200ft vertical across two mountains was 100% open. The resort had about 10cms of fresh light powder and snow would continue to fall on and off all day.  In the morning the snow fell heavy and it was rather windy. So windy that the Cheval Blanc quad was restricted to two a chair. This caused a pretty long line up but by noon the wind died down and we were back to normal.  The conditions were pretty much perfect with consistent light powder covering all the runs.  New features this year included a new racing building at the top of Dustin Cook.  We also checked out the new glades off Carroussel.  This steep section includes some...

Boom! I woke to 15cm and it was still coming down hard.  Yes it was cold (-20c) but when it snows its a good day.  I managed to make it up to Fortune around 10am. Late maybe but I was hungover and got stuck behind a fleet of snow plows.  There was still lots of powder to go around.  First stop was Heggtveit.  After some fun on Skyline including Swan Dive I went over to the valley. The T-bar was running so I gave McDonald and Alexander a try.  If you wanted pristine powder in the valley, then those were the runs.  By noon we had topped 20cm! The wind was a little fierce and lots of snow was drifting or getting blown into the woods but still what a killer morning.  More snow is on the way later in the week and temperatures will rise.  So get it while its good! Swan Dive McDonald...

I rolled into the valley at Camp Fortune around 3pm. The parking lot was pretty full. I guess even though it was around -15c the sun and low wind had brought everyone out.  Bluebird days help a lot and everyone was enjoying the wintery Saturday on the hill. The conditions were a mix of packed snow on the valley side to hard packed base on Skyline. The mogul run on Clifford was hard ice though and my edges were not sharp enough for it....or skills.  Of note, Heggtveit is now open. I found it a little icy probably because of high traffic during the day and the fact that it had just opened on Wednesday. Hegg is not lit but it stayed open till around 5pm which shows that our sun is coming back.  Also in the valley Fortune was blowing snow onto McDonald and Alexander! This is great news as last year the runs...

A storm rolled in Monday night. I was night skiing at Camp Fortune and it hit hard around 8pm. By Tuesday morning, Tremblant was saying it had 17cm of fresh on the mountain.  We hit the road taking the 2 hour drive northeast. With over 2000ft vertical Tremblant is a leg burner when your used to smaller resorts in the Ottawa area.  Today would be a killer.  Loads of fresh lines, warm temperatures (-3c) and no crowds. In fact you could ski onto most lifts.  We parked at Soleil then double backed to the gondola. Our first run from the top was C.B.C and the new Taiga tree run.  After that we moved over to the Edge side and hit up the expanded glades off Reaction and Extension.  The conditions were amazing, so much fresh snow and so much terrain.  We checked out the new Lowell Thomas lift and the redone Le Grand Maniton while hopscotching around...

Pulled into Fortune Valley around 4 for my first night ski of the season.  The hill had gotten about 4cm over night and it was still lightly snowing.  The conditions in the valley were great with a soft layer over a hard base.  You could carve railroad tracks with ease.  Skyline on the other hand was a little crusty.  First there had been a NorAm Men's Slalom event during the day and Canadian/Chute were closed off. This left Sparks and Bud Clark open.  The conditions on Sparks were good but Bud had been well skied all day and was down to crusty base in spots.  Around 5ish the light snow started to turn into light freezing drizzle which stuck to your googles.  We went into the lodge in the valley to dry off and eat.  The bar has new beers on tap, gone are the marco brews and they now have Beau's and some...

Happy New Year! and 2019 comes in with a roar. While Ottawa got a mix of snow (maybe 4cms), freezing rain and rain Camp Fortune got about 10-15cms! Anyway the best way to kill a hangover is to ski. I arrived around 9:30 with my sister in tow and almost got stuck in the Skyline parking lot which had not been plowed.  The place was a bit of a ghost town.  The temperature was a little below zero with some wind. The conditions were perfect with the new wet snow gluing to the hard pack which made for a great base for carving fast.  The ice was gone and we even ducked into some gladed areas which had just enough coverage to hide the rocks and logs.  All the main trails on Skyline were open with the exception of Heggtveit.  Hegg should open in a day or so though as it's covered in machine made snow mounds.  We caught the ribbon drop for...

Hit the valley around 9:30 after passing a closed Skyline covered in whales of snow gun snow.  I'm sure it will open next weekend or sooner. Regardless it was a beautiful day with temperatures hovering around zero. The entire valley is now open with the exception of the T-bar runs.  Conditions were very decent for early season skiing with a good base of machine made snow. You could get a good carve on and zip down Slalom. The best snow was on Slalom, Pineault and Clifford.   Marshall had just opened and was a little rough with balls of groomer made crude. Clifford has a new line of moguls for those into that.  Overall a great day of skiing. 

Mont Chilly is located just north of Fort-Coulonge, in the Pontiac region of Western Quebec. The drive along Highway 148 from downtown Ottawa/Gatineau takes about 1.5 hours. Another option is to drive on the Ontario side and cross the Ottawa River at Portage-du-Fort. Mont Chilly calls itself a "Micro Resort". The vertical drop is 430ft (130meters) with seven runs that have a consistent fall line. The runs include three glade trails and a steep double black bump run. Think of it as a mini Mad River Glen. The hill is serviced by a single T-bar hand-built by Larry Hernberger. The lift pulls you 800ft up in under 8 minutes. The Hernberger family has owned Mont Chilly since its opening in 1966-67. This is truly a family-run endeavour with three generations of the Hernberger family involved at Mont Chilly, from Larry to his son Rick, and his son Kurtis. They alone operate the hill with the occasional volunteer and a single ski patroller.  The Mountain and the Ski Trails The mountain fea...

About an hour north of Ottawa is a virtually unknown hiking trail near the town on Denholm. Parc des Chutes de Denholm is located on the Paugan road which connects Denholm with Low, Quebec. I drove in from the Denholm side as I was staying at a cottage near by. From the Low side you would have to cross the Paugan dam. The hike consists of a 4km loop plus several smaller side trails. The hike starts at a small falls and climbs quickly and steeply before leveling out. One interesting aspect to the trail is commissioned public art that pops up along the walk. The hike is well marked with a single picnic table near the falls at the bottom and at the first lookout. There is also two rustic outhouses near the small parking lot. If you want to get away from it all this hike is for you. We didn't see a single person for the 2 hours it took us to take in all the trails. The main loop travels mainly through dense hardwoods crossing a creek at the half way point then connecting briefly with a gra...

This year's Victoria Day weekend canoe trip was at the northern end of Algonquin Park. The access point was Kioshkokwi (Kiosk) lake about a 3.5 hour drive from Ottawa along highway 17. Take the 17 up to Mattawa then west along the Trans Canada until to see the turn off for 630 south into the park. Please watch out for speed traps along the 17 especially near Petawawa. There is an outfitter on the corner of 17 and 630 that you can rent canoes from (Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitters). There is also a ski hill 8km north of Mattawa called Antoine Mountain but I didn't have time to check it out. This year's trip would be 4 days, 3 nights in the park doing a loop from Kiosk lake south into Waterclear lake for a night, then Erables and Maple. With the final day paddling down the Maple River. We had very good weather for May with one day of rain on Saturday. The best thing though was no bugs! Like zero black flies or mosquitoes. The fact that the ice had just come off most of the lakes bet...

We made it up to Mont Ste Marie just after 9am to find beautiful mind-winter conditions in April! The temperature was around -2C and there was little or no wind and the sun was out. The skiing was so good that we stayed till last chair. The runs were nicely groomed fresh snow with no ice, that gave you the confidence to really rip.  Pretty much everything was open with the best runs of the day being Dustin Cook, Formidable and Tornade Bas. I can't think of a year with conditions this good at MSM this late in the season. Usually by now only the Vanier side is open the conditions are slush. Hopefully they will stay open another weekend. Yes its been a cold April but make the best of it people, ski ski ski.... no golf yet.                                                                      Where is everyone? My buddy has some weird skis.  This lunch might slow me down. Where the Klotz are we!...

Made it up to Camp Fortune for a few hours after a fairly long absence. The spring skiing conditions are great. Loads of coverage, fast soft snow and almost all the runs are still open on both the Valley and Skyline. Justin Trudeau was even snowboarding for a few hours in the morning! Ignore the fact the most of the snow is gone in the city, up in the Gatineau hills there is still lots of snow. People are still even cross country skiing.  Get up here and enjoy the warm weather and great snow. 

Well I did it. I managed to check out every ski hill in the Ottawa/Gatineau area at least once this season. Some a lot more then once (Fortune, MSM). Anyway this afternoon Vorlage was serene with maybe a dozen people on the entire resort, perfect coverage, 17 of 18 runs open and a blue bird day with the temperature just above zero.  The place had the three main double chairs running, no t-bars.  The day felt mellow so I took it easy cruising the blues and blacks for a couple hours.  Only Headwall was closed which was a bummer but hey if I wanted a day of double diamonds I wouldn't have gone to Vorlage.  The town of Wakefield has a great vibe and Vorlage is a bit of a throwback to the days when skiing was about skiing and being with the family. Where is everyone?  Get out skiing people this weekend will be great.  ...

I haven't got in a lot of snowshoeing this year, so this morning I checked out the snowshoe trails near Camp Fortune. What was going to be a quick trip of a few short loops turned into a Snowshoe/Ski adventure around the entire Camp Fortune ski area. I was using snowshoe skis. Short fat skis with telemark bindings and a built skin under the foot for climbing.  First the crude trail map: I started with the loop that that goes up and round the Alexander and McDonald. The start of the trail just behind the Ski Club building.  After going through the woods I skinned up the ski hill. The snow was crusty out of the woods.  An old skin trail Nice view of the valley Now to ski down through the crust!  The crust sucked so I went back in the woods. Near the bottom a jump is being created, plus an...

With such killer weather and conditions I had to keep skiing, so a quick jaunt to Camp Fortune was in order.  Being a little sore from a powderfest yesterday I didn't roll into the parking lot at Skyline till 10am.  The sun was out and the place didn't look busy at all.  The trails still had a lot of perfectly groomed corduroy. I think Camp Fortune does some of the best grooming in Quebec, I just wish they would keep a couple more runs natural.  Anyway the conditions were fantastic, the snow was soft but not wet at all and having some sun was nice after a rather gloomy 2018. After almost 36cms of fresh now in the week the conditions are now mid-winter and Fortune should be well setup to get us into the middle of April.  Get out people this could be the best skiing of the season.  Skyline on March break The Skyline...

With a good 10cms of fresh snow on the ground and steady snow falling, we decided a trip to Calabogie Peaks was in order.  I usually get up there at least once a season but every time I’ve gone it’s been firm hardpack conditions and a little icy.  Today was the opposite.  Soft groomers, stashes of powder, glade action and lots a nice off trail features.  For the first time we could play in the Lake Glades which had lots of nice natural features to jump off.  Exhibition was also totally skiable and filled with untracked powder.  In fact, if you were willing to go a little off the main trails lots of stashes could be had. The temperature was around -1c, it was a little windy near the top and the snow would fall heavy all day.  Free refills and no lift lines. One bonus of the slow quads is no one is ever on the hill with you....

The plan was Mont Chilly. This time we drove on the Ontario side most of the way crossing some dams on the Ottawa river to link back to the 148 in the Pontiac. The trip took just over an hour and half. Mont Chilly is a micro retro resort with a single t-bar. The place is like a mini Mad River Glenn with no snow making, steep fall lines and glades. The day started off grey at about -4 but the sun came out mid day and we got to about 1 or 2c.  Great skiing was had and considering the terrible February I was surprised by how much snow was on the runs.  The surface started off a little firm and crusty in spots but soon warmed up. Some powder could still be found in the #5 glade from the storm on Wednesday-Thursday.  Of note the lift ticket prices went up to $25 this year and remember the place...

Well after yelling “Give me back my winter” for three weeks we are rewarded. 10cm of fresh snow  with more to come over night and into Friday.  Winter is back and Camp Fotune is skiing fine!  I arrived at Skyline just past 5pm. The trees were covered in new fallen snow, everything felt fresh, light snow was falling, it was a winter wonderland.  Conditions were great with a nice soft groomed base and fresh snow on top.  I took a couple runs on Hegg before it got dark then took in the rest of Skyline before crossing over to the valley to grab a bite to eat.  The custom made burritos are pretty good.  Lots of fresh powder in the Valley, plus a nice mogul run on Clifford.  Great skiing was had, the place was empty, no lift lines, and the trails were all mine. Kick ass! Don’t miss out, get up here.  Friday should be stellar. ...

Well I think the last time I was at Mont Cascades was like in grade 9! So with a few hours to spare on Saturday morning I decided to check it out. Having totally forgotten the lay out I parked at the first lot. I arrived around 9:30 and overnight we had gotten a light dusting of wet snow, maybe 2cms.  Anyway I went into the chalet to get my lift ticket.  The girl at the small concession stand informed me that they don’t sell tickets here and I would have to drive over to the main lot.  No thanks my ski boots were already on so I just got on the lift.  I took the old triple to the top and skied over to the other side to buy a three hour ticket.  The conditions were decent considering the terrible weather we have had for almost three weeks.  All the groomed runs...

Got up to Edelweiss for some night skiing just before 3pm.  The sun was out, it was about -2c and the place was packed.  The parking lot was pretty much full and the lineup for tickets was slow. For some reason on one of the busiest weekends of the ski season they only had one ticket booth open. Anyway I finally traded in my online ticket for a real one and got on the lift.  Night skiing tickets on Sunday that are bought 24hrs in advance online are only $20.  All three quads were running. The high speed quad was the only lift with a line so I jumped on the slow Strief quad so I could ski the non-light runs while the sun was still out.  Everything was open with the exception of West Coast.  I powered down the Eastern Bowl, the twisty Shotgun and Descent Telesiege under the lift.  The snow was hard packed...

Here is a quick report on conditions at Fortune.  Today was gorgeous, sunny and a high of 4. The runs were fast hard packed snow with a little bit of icing on top. The trails are in good shape and softened a tad by midday. Camp Fortune has managed to survive the freezing rain we had on Sunday very well.  I arrived at around 9:30 and was shocked by how busy it was. I guess everyone had the same idea. The lines were fast but I have to say the older crowd were acting like stoned teenagers. They couldn't line up well, they were falling getting on the lift, or standing to close to the chair as it turned around, it was like a bunch of retires who hadn't skied in like 5 years decided to go skiing today. Anyway I survived the mayhem and checked out Meech which is always quiet and the Valley. Slalom races were being held on Slalom and Canadian/Chute.  Overall a great day...

More snow, so I had to ski.  Went for a quick 4 hour mission with my sister to Fortune. With the new RFID system you can load 4 hours or a full day from home and skip any ticket line.  The  new gates also show you how long you have until your hours run out.  We arrived at Skyline around 8:30 just as the lifts started.  10cm had dropped already and the snow would continue for the rest of the day.  We blasted down Heggtveit for the first few runs then moved across the hill.  The new snow made the conditions great for the first couple hours before the soft snow got pushed around a bunch.  Hiding under the fresh was some spots of icy hard pack that showed up on Upper Canadian and Heggtviet. Skyline started to get a little busy by around 10 but the lines moved quick.  All in all, another great day...

Wow. Lets see 20cm of fresh light snow, warm temperatures and Cheval Blanc was left ungroomed.  I think this may have been one of the best days at MSM ever. I arrived right at the opening, took in the Vanier side for a few runs, then trained over to Cheval when it opened at 9:30. Then I skied beautiful powder for a good 3hours, had lunch and skied another hour or so.   By about 11 most of the powder was chop but since it was so light you could just steam roll over it.  People should remember on big snow days not to turn to much! save the snow.  Dustin Cook was the favorite. The steeps of Formidable and Besty were also great, a nice change from the icy hard pack.  I was surprised by how much snow they got considering Ottawa only got like 5cm and Camp Fortune around 10cm.  The footnote to this great day is when there is...