Mont Ste Anne. Day 10. Nadia!

Yes it was as cold as predicted. -16 when we hit the trail. But the upside of -16 is that no one else comes to ski 😉. We were first on the freshly groomed trail 11, strategically starting with a good climb and a hello to the dogs. 

The sky was blue and there was very little wind, so we didn't mind the reported temperature. Once you a climb a hill or two, you are warm from the core and that's all that counts. 

Crunch crunch crunch we went as the snow was so fresh and the air so cold. The trail was mostly in shadow but the sun on the trees was stunning. 

We literally had the trail to ourselves...

Until we didn't...

But we didn't mind sharing. 

We took 11 to 12. And 12 down to 13 and skied out along the stream to discover that even trail 14 is open today, but not groomed for classic skiing so we didn't venture too far along 14 before turning back.

 

On the run into the Chalet a couple was stopped ahead on the trail so I slowed. And they jumped a little and then pointed as a cute little white animal scampered across the trail. She was far too fast and too small to get a photo but she was clearly a cute little mink. This is what she looked like, all white with a little brown tip in her tail.  (Photo from Google). 

As the morning progressed into midday, the wind picked up a bit and the pretty trees 

Turned into snow flurry makers. Not a cloud in the sky but there were some white outs of the trails as the snow was shaken from the heavily laden tree branches. 

Blue sky and fresh snow and it is hard to put the camera away, even when your fingers are freezing. 

Ten days in a row of skiing. Feeling so lucky to be here enjoying this great sport and this beautiful place. 

We hosted a party tonight. Yes, with all the people we know in Saint Ferreol Les Neiges. Well, technically with BOTH the people we know 😀

We invited Andre and Carole over for drinks and snacks, and along with Nadia we had a real little air BNB party happening, complete with awkward mismatched bowls and glassware. It was nice to catch up with them and hear about their trip with their 11 year old twin grand children to Ottawa. They explored 6 different museums. Impressive. 

It was a nice way to end the day and share some laughter, share ski stories and get some local Intel. 

The thermometer at our door is currently reading -23 so we are thinking we don't need to be first on the trails tomorrow, hoping the temperature will rise with the sun.