Mont Ste Anne - Friend Day

I made a new friend on the trail today. This is Lise. She has skied here for over 50 years and was so happy to say that today is the "best conditions of the year". New snow. Beautiful and plentiful. 

I first saw Lise off trail and thought she was snow shoeing but no, she popped out and joined the groomed trail and we skied along together. We stopped for a snack and a drink and she told me all about the area and some of the good old trails - apparently there is a trail from the peak of 36 (Hilaire) all the way down and across to the peak of Ferreol. But alas, they have "given" it to the snowmobilers now. That is the trail she had been doing but then the sound of the snowmobiles prompted her to return to the ski trails. Smart. At 83, she has good sense. 

We chatted. She told me of places to see nearby like Cap-Rouge, where Jacques Cartier first landed. That would be cool to see, as we explored where he left Brittany, France, back in June. Apparently we are crossing paths with Jacques Cartier these days, 😋

Lise comes from Saguenay, and she also explained that the Valley of Ghosts is a wonderful to see.  She goes every year in February. Here's what it looks like (from Google):

So many places to explore. 

And then off Lise went, off trail, up a mountain bike trail, you go girl!  

Lise was lovely. She was definitely a character from a Richard Osman book. I just finished "The Man Who Died Twice". Perhaps Lise will be in the next book ❤️ 

It was a winter wonderland today. Of course. After all that snow.  The branches weighted down with the snow, the wee trees trying to keep their heads above the deepening base. 

I definitely couldn't help but take more photos. 

All the different tress look beautiful in the fresh snow, but the pines are brilliant. 

The trails were busy. So happy for everyone to have a great weekend of skiing after a tough start to the season here. 

Marc did a lesson today, with the same coach we had last year.  He just gets better and better. And faster and faster. 

Needless to say, after 8 straight days of skiing, we are both happy that the football playoffs are on, and even happier that our little air BNB has a recliner couch 🏈

To make the day super special, Nadia has arrived! She has come to Saint Ferreol Les Neiges to ski with us this week. We are helping her celebrate her birthday month. 

We are ready to face the cold temperatures tomorrow.