Ocean Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Hiking season has begun! As Saint-Sauveur's lift serviced operations came to a close on Sunday afternoon, I had grand confidence that the hush-hush whisperings of a surprise June 8th opening would materialize. Never before in recent years had the 70 Ouest and Nordique (top) been open together for the final day of the season. Surely the base would hold another week and maybe even several! To my surprise, I arrived late this afternoon to the mountain to see that most of the bottom of 70 Ouest was just gone! There had been a few patchy spots on Sunday, sure, but it seemed to me the base was much thicker than to melt so quickly away. I guess they got a lot more rain than I thought! As I arrived, I ran into another late skison enthusiast who had just rode down the 70 Ouest who assured me the snow, although crusty, was holding up on the rest of the hill. Usually in the spring I hike up with my board but having arrived later in the day and not being too skilled on air-chilled crust, I decided to suffer through a hike in my ski boots instead, for a worthy reward. The 70 Ouest bottom was still looking pretty wet and muddy, so I decided to hike straight up the Nordique which had already been dry for nearly a week. Once I got to the top of the pitch, I was pleasantly surprised to see the snow park features still installed - with a little digging, the features are still rideable for sure. At the top of the park I crossed over to the other side of the glacier so I could hike up under the lift instead of the last steep pitch of the Nordique top. Suddenly, I realized I wasn't alone! A giant deer stood frozen straight in front of me just a few towers away. We stood there, eyeing one another, for quite some time, before the deer bounced away. Finally, I made it to the top, just in time to catch the tail end of sunset and a few panos while enjoying some delicious carbohydrates. As the last light was leaving the sky, I started my descent - Sunday's mush had become SUPER icy and crusty, but nothing a sharpened edge can't handle. The 70 Ouest is still almost fully covered except for a small mudpatch in the first section and of course the brown sugar bottom pitch. In a couple of days when the temps rise, the crust will become soft in the sun and it'll make for some perfect turns! Looking up from the bottom of Nordique. The ascent begins! View from the top of the final pitch. Park life in effect! The shadows grow long. These little guys are gonna grow up to be so delicious! Spotted: Coors Light in the wild. Looking up L'Etoile, I spotted a little friend! He stare. Finally I arrive at the top of 70 Ouest. Just in time for sunset. Pano from the top of L'Etoile. Santé! Getting stoked for the ride down! Rose tinted descent. Pano from the bottom pitch of 70 Ouest. More is the motto. The flag insists! Paul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 It’s not over yet! One more ski day tomorrow from 10-1 and then water park! Killer hike though Ocean. The snow is really holding up this year. Which way did you go up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 @Shane that day I went straight up the Nordique, and then crossed to 70 under L'Etoile. The next time I did it (trip report forthcoming), I parked at the top of La Plagne, hiked over the top to 70, went down, and then called a cab to get back to my car (spoiler warning: this one is a crazy story). Third time, I also parked at La Plagne but only went halfway down the 70 with my snowboard (because of the fence), hiked back up to my car. Last night, same deal and tonight probably the same also. Of course I was also there on the 8th ? More to come! (no time for typing when there's turns to be had!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Also: the 8th went from 10AM to 4PM!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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