Day: January 25, 2016

2016 01 24 Mont St Bruno : 24 Enjoyed an Excellent Day at Mont St Bruno

Tom V

Since our ski season finally started this season with the snowstorm on Dec 29, there have only been a couple of wet days where we could not ski.  The skiing has been fine, but most days have been gray and overcast.  This weekend the sun finally came out in all its glory and the skiing was all the more delightful!
When the two dozen Beaver Tail members met at 9:30 am at Mont St Bruno, it was -15 C.  But there was little wind and the temperature was expected to rise quickly over the next few hours.  We got our ski and gear organized and then 2016 01 24 St Bruno TV 06started leaving in smaller groups.  Mickey and Glen C, our two members who are training for this year’s Canadian Ski Marathon (Feb 20-21) were looking to do a lot of mileage so they, along with David I, left first.  Our lone snow-shoer also set out.  We had a couple of skiers who decided to stick to green trails.  Then it was the rest of us who went out to tackle the blue trails at various speeds.

When I talked to some people at the ski clinic the day before, they had expressed skepticism as to how good the conditions could be at Mont St Bruno, especially given how the trails at the local on-island parks were beginning to look a bit tired.  But Mont St Bruno had retained a lot of their snow and since it is a Parc 2016 01 24 St Bruno TV 08national, it has the good grooming equipment to make the most of it.  All the trails had well-formed tracks and there was plenty of snow to control the descents.  One member said she was was quite surprised at how good the trail conditions were.  She added that it was the best skiing she had had at Mont St Bruno in years!

The largest group of us followed the #1 blue trail, which is the largest continuous loop around the park.  It starts off with a lot of steady climbing in the first 3 km, then settles in to a nice mix of ups and downs, followed by flat sections that follow the edge of a lake.  As we headed back towards main chalet, we turned off onto the #3 and then #7 trails, and then looped back onto the northern part of of the #1.  Most of us were back at the chalet by just before 12 pm.  By then the temperature had already warmed up to -8 C.  We ran into our ski marathon guys — they had just switched from green to blue wax and were setting out for their next loop!
We had a few newer members out on Sunday who were skiing at Mont St Bruno for the first time.  They all remarked on how a pleasant place it was to ski.  I’m sure that all the members of our group skiing and snowshoeing there on this day were in agreement!

27 BTers at the Morin Heights Ski Clinc

Tom V

The weather conditions for this year’s ski clinic were the best we have had in years!   It was a cool -15 C in the morning, but by the time we started the clinic at 1 pm it was -9 C.  When you were in the sun and sheltered from the slight breeze, it was exceptionally comfortable, even during the parts when you were standing around to listen to the ski instructors.
But first, some news regarding the facilities at Morin Heights.  It turns out they have made a big improvement to their ski centre on Lac Echo Rd.  Until last year, they had one small building beside the trail along the aerobic corridor, plus a long trailer in the parking lot up the hill on the other side of the road.  During the summer, the city of Morin Heights bought an existing two-storey building and has made it the principal chalet d’accueil.  The Chalet Bellevue is just 100 metres 2016 01 23 ski ClinicTV 06south of the aerobic corridor on Bellevue Road, but it is tucked behind some trees so it is likely you have never noticed it.  It’s a large building that was originally a hotel and more recently a senior citizen’s residence.  It has a large common area with lots of table and chairs.  They have plans to add a waxing room, lockers, and even showers.  It will also act as a base for mountain bikers.  It

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will definitely add to the appeal of skiing at Morin Heights!

There were five of us who arrived at 10 am for a morning ski.  The Triangle trail was our first choice.  It was open, but was described as being slick and fast.  We opted instead to do an out-and-back on the Aerobic corridor.  It’s a gentle uphill most of the way north.  (It’s an old train line, so it can’t be too steep!)  But that does make for a faster return trip.  On the way back, we passed a few other members who arrived later and went out for a shorter pre-clinic ski.
We gathered in the Chalet Bellevue at 12:30 pm and Glenn Kyte, our ski clinic organizer, took attendance.  We then walked over to the parking lot at the top of the hill.  It’s where we used to meet in the large trailer, but now there is only a small trailer that acts as a secondary ticket booth.  Our four instructors this year were Rick, Gary, Anne and Arnie.  We split up into our groups (beginner, intermediate, advanced and skating) and started our lessons at 1 pm.
2016 01 23 ski Clinic GK 05As I mentioned as the outset, the conditions were ideal for a ski lesson.  Each of the four groups did a number of different exercises and drills during the next 1.5 hours.  It was entirely pleasant!  Afterward, someone of us met back in the Chalet Bellevue and chatted.  Everyone reported having a great afternoon of improving their skiing abilities.
Many thanks to Glenn for once again organizing a successful and well-appreciated ski clinic!  He went up to Morin Heights and coordinated the groups even though he could not ski himself due to an early season injury.