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Published on Jan 21, 2022
Just as for my sweetheart and myself, several of our friends, and a great number of Quebecers of all ages, alpine touring has captured the hearts of many over the past few years. You’ll understand why when you’ve read the following lines.
By Yvan Martineau
More and more popular throughout Québec, alpine touring, or uphill skiing, is becoming a favourite for anyone who’s tried it. In the Eastern Townships, Mounts Orford, Owl’s Head, Sutton and Bromont, montagne d’expériences ski resorts greatly contribute to the rise in popularity of this sport.
Imagine a happy pairing of cross-country and downhill skiing. You head up through well-marked forest trails using equipment resembling what you’d use for downhill skiing; But in fact, it’s quite different with these synthetic skins (or sealskins) you place under your skis, and which you remove when you reach the summit to head down the slopes of your chosen resort. Most people will adopt a leisurely approach—it still offers quite a cardio workout—while others, more into a high performance training, will choose ultra-light products.
For myself, this new activity adds more variety to all the sports I already practise during the winter. In fact, I promised myself that sometime in the upcoming months I would head out on an epic adventure: Mount Hereford, 875 metres, and its two mountain slopes reserved for backcountry skiing.
As the famous film producer Warren Miller would say, “A pair of skis are the ultimate transformation to freedom.” It’s even more so when it comes to alpine touring, which makes you feel as if you’re truly off the grid. And the ride down, after a sustained effort, will be much more satisfying, I can assure you.
Sutton citizen, and ex-federal representative, Lyne Bessette owns three types of equipment: ultra-light skis for competing, a second one for training and the third one, heavier and more stable, for touring with her friends. “I prefer to go out around 3:00 p.m. when the sun starts going down … the light is exquisite,” she says.
Outdoor enthusiast Jeff Rivest loves both downhill skiing and cardio sports, and believes he’s found the best combination of the two in this sport. “Alpine touring exposes us to these beautiful and peaceful nature landscapes,” he says.
Photograph and outdoor enthusiast, Sofie Lacoste feels that “the more technical aspect provides us with some true adrenaline rushes, which I don’t mind at all. And there’s also the reward at the end, as we head down the slopes.”
This year, Bromont, montagne d’expériences has added four new alpine touring trails to its already generous offer on three of its hillsides. At Mont SUTTON, after a few snowfalls, the decor is breathtaking in the two alpine trails available, whereas at Mont-Orford, where you’ll discover three new trails, you can access three summits, mount Giroux (630 m), mount Alfred-Desrochers (635 m) and mount Orford (850 m). As for Owl’s Head, you’ll find an easy trail inside the mountain’s family zone and a second one that will take you to the top.
So, are you ready to fall in love?
The sport requires you to carry a backpack in which you’ll place a warm puffy jacket for when you ski down the mountain, a ski mask, a tuque, snacks, water, an energy drink or a thermos with some warm soup. You can also put your skins in your pack once you’ve reached the top. Make sure not to dress too warmly for your ascent since it’s a very cardio activity, even if you’re climbing at a more contemplative pace.
The trails are well marked, but they’re not groomed nor are they patrolled. It’s important to note, the ski hill patrollers’ phone number before you head out in case of an emergency. You could be charged for requesting assistance outside of operating hours and beyond the designated trails.
To see two of my amateur videos:
Taste the Townships
Losing Yourself to Rediscover Who You Are
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
The Most Beautiful Hikes in the Eastern Townships
