The Quebec Blog

The Ski Season in Photos #13

Posted on by NYSkiBlog
Chic Chocs Basecamp • Early April 2012

After the lift-served season ended across New York and the Northeast, the most enterprising skiers were left to their travels.  One such adventurer, ml242, pursued a long-held dream to ski the Chic Chocs at the northernmost end of the Appalachian Chain, on the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec.

Against the advice of one of the most respected guide services in the region Matt and his group insisted on visiting the region, in one of the lowest snow years the region had seen in decades.  As luck had it, some new snow did fall as they were travel north, and the conditions they found were quite nice, thank you.

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Tagged: Backcountry, Friday Fantasy Photo, QuebecLeave a comment

The Mountains Less Traveled: Chic Chocs, QC

Posted on by ml242

This year I’ve taken a relaxed approach to the end of ski season. I’ve put storage wax on but left my the skis by the door. To some extent I’ve been right and wrong. Local hills have long since abandoned attempts to stay open and the lucky few who skied the recent dump in the Greens surely know that the curtain is lowering on winter.

My unhurried approach this spring is the result of a secret card I’ve had up my sleeve, a trip booked months ago to the far reaches of the Northeast, the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec. The area is home to the Chic Choc mountains, a backcountry paradise of huts and deep snow at the tip of the Appalachian range. What follows is my first taste of adventure in this exceptional place, although I am sure that this could easily become a yearly installment.

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Tagged: Magazine, Quebec

Sugar Shack at Mont Blanc, QC

Posted on by James Michaud

As you drive northwest from Montreal through the Laurentians, there are a number of family ski areas right alongside Autoroute 15. While these smaller hills can’t compare with the region’s big destination area, Tremblant, in vertical, skiable trail acreage, or base village amenities, they offer great access, no-frills ambiance, and affordable rates for families on a budget.

Mont Blanc is a prototype Laurentians area. With a reported 1,000 vertical feet, it has the same general footprint as Greek Peak, but a more consistent pitch. With easily edgeable hardpack on the menu, the skiing was fast and fun, so we worked our way across the hill, skiing every trail and dropping into a few glades to mix things up.

There were a few busloads of junior-high students out enjoying a day on the snow and since Tuesday was Ladies Day, all members of the fairer sex skied for $20. Men get the same deal on Wednesdays.

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