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Latest Trip Report(s) - Visit Trip Reports for more  

XC Trip repoort - Lac Philippe to Lusk Lake Sun Jan 22,12 

On Sunday afternoon, eighteen club members embarked on the ever popular ski trip from P19 to Lusk Lake Cabin. The main parking lot was full and the overflow lot also had quite a few cars, but still enough room. The snow was hard pack and in great condition. There was virtually no evidence of the rain that we have had recently. It was sunny and about -10 degrees Celsius; brisk but not bitterly cold. There has been a big washout on the hill going up to Lusk Cabin. The detour is just below the steepest part of the hill. Fortunately, it is far enough below that it is not difficult to come to a stop before entering the detour.

When we got to the cabin, we had to open the windows because it was sweltering inside. We did not linger, and the trip back always seems faster than the trip out. No doubt the long down hill between Lusk Cabin and Renaud Cabin hastens the journey. Afterwards we went to le Pot au Feu in Wakefield.

Tom Wiley, Trip leader

XC Trip Report P7 to Huron Thu Jan 19,12 

After a short refreshment stop, we headed back to Shilly Shally to pick up the rest of our group. The return trip was fast although an iPhone app that tracked our progress confirmed what one skier suspected (and the leader doubted) - that there is actually more uphill than downhill on the run from Shilly Shally to the parking lot.

A great lunch at le Resto in Chlesea finished off a very enjoyable ski outing. Thanks to everyone who participated

Trip Leader: Jane Rau

Trip Report - DH Meet'n'Ski to Cascades,  Wed Jan 18,12 

I know that we, the big WE, are all concerned about global warming and climate change and all that, but I didn't know that going to a Meet n' Ski day was akin to Noah loading his Ark. Probably because it was freezing cold and very windy, only two skiers showed up at the RA Centre for today's MnS to Mont Cascades. Then two more members showed up at the hill. Then two more members showed up at the hill. That is not a misprint. They kept coming two by two, just like loading the Ark. Eventually there were seven of us. Hmm, there's something fishy goin' on in the Ark. Anyway, moving right along, the seven of us plus a handful of others had the run of the hills which were in excellent shape and the sun was shining bright all day. Still, we were glad to go into the lodge for lunch and managed to scoff a table right by the window where we could warm up like daffodils in a greenhouse. Scoffing was easy as we were the only ones in the lodge. All this good life doesn't come without its' risks and we had no idea of what was yet to come. Suddenly from above came this incredibly loud roar and, startled, we all looked up to see this huge avalanche decending upon us at life threatening speed. Talk about terror. Can you imagine it, thinking that the last meal you were ever going to have on this good earth was a peanut butter sandwich? I didn't know that beads of sweat could form so fast. And then, just as fast as it started, it came to a halt not ten feet from our very position. Oh thank you, Thank You. We had to bless our lucky stars that we were safe where we were, and not outside on the deck under the eave when the snow slid off the tin roof. Whew!
As Walter Cronkite used to say, "And that's the way it was".

Photos are on the web at www.flickr.com/photos/raski/sets/72157602559214706/show/

Trip leader, Roger

XC Trip report - P7 to Huron,  Sat Jan 14,12 

Sat Jan 14. As many skiers were at Val David and the weather was very cold (windchill ~ -25), only 3 really hardy skiers showed up for the trip to Huron. Due to the wind chill we decided to start at P7 so that we would be more protected from the wind. Despite the cold, the ski was absolutely wonderful with the tops of the trees covered in ice and frost and a full sun. The trip was along trail 31 to trail 1 all the way to Huron cabin for a light snack and then back for a round trip total of 12 Km.

The freezing rain did not seem to reach into the Gatineau’s or the temperature was colder higher up, so the trail conditions were very good (green wax).

The après ski was at the Café Soup'Herbe for a bowl of soup.
Trip Leader: Jim Forbes

Trip Report - Val David XC/DH Weekend,  Fri Jan 13,12 

January 13-15, 2012 at L’Auberge du vieux Foyer

This year 31 skiers, both cross-country and downhill, registered for the combined trip at L’Auberge du Vieux Foyer. The cross country skiers skied the Parc régional Dufresne, while the downhillers skied at Chantecler Saturday, and Mont Blanc Sunday.

We drove to the Auberge in a snow storm on Friday. About half the network of trails was open Friday. During the night between Friday and Saturday, the trails were tracked and when we got up on Saturday, all but two trails were open in the network. The snow came right on time. This was a big improvement from last year. The weekend was fairly cold in temperature. When we got up Saturday morning, it was -30 C, and -32 C Sunday morning. People left to go skiing at different times on both mornings in accordance to their resistance to the cold. The ski conditions were very good on both days.

For those of us who remembered to bring our bathing suits, we had a chance to enjoy the outside hot tub and the sauna. The hot tub temperature was around 100°F. That was well appreciated by the group.

Where the participants were most pleased is at the dinner table on Friday and Saturday night. The dinner was well appreciated as always. Although we had a similar menu on both nights, there were more than enough choices to satisfy the most difficult participant. It was a four service meal and we had to choose one entrée out of eight choices, one soup out of three different one. As for the main dish, we had to choose one among nine meat dishes and four fish dishes. Finally, we had to choose one out of seven deserts.

Everybody had a good time and I did not get any complaints.

A few photos are on the web at http://www.flickr.com/photos/raski/sets/72157603447956975/detail/ If anyone else has photos they want to share, please send them to publicity_2012raski.ca.

See you all next year,
Jean-François Mélançon, Trip Leader

Trip Report - DH Meet'n'Ski to Camp Fortune Tue Jan 10,12 

Six skiers met at the RA Centre and drove out to Camp Fortune on a cloudy day that threatened snow or possibly rain, with temperatures hovering around 0C. Two other hearty souls met us at the chalet and the eight of us headed out for a morning of surprisingly excellent skiing on a number of the hills. By the time we had finished lunch, the temperature had dropped a few degrees and out we went for about two more hours of skiing pleasure, grateful for the good conditions and pleasant skiing companionship. Two other RA skiers were spotted, also enjoying the day.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that Roger skied exceptionally well in his new red ski jacket!

Photos are on the web at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/raski/sets/72157602559214706/detail/

Trip Leader: Andrea Conway

XC Trip Report - Pine Road to Herridge, Sun Jan 08,12 

On this sunny Sunday, eleven participants started out from the RA Center, joined by one person at P16. At the trailhead we met three other club members, one of whom joined us, the other two had just finished a trip with a rival ski club. After the long climb up the big hill at the beginning of the route, the group quickly spread out along the trail, among the dozens of families, seniors, and youth enjoying the very good conditions. At Herridge we rested and snacked for a bit, joined by 2 more club members, and then made the quick, mostly downhill, return trip. The big hill that is the last thing between you and a nice warm car at the end of a long day on tired legs can be a bit nerve-wracking but we all managed it. Afterward, eleven people took in local artwork on the walls of le Resto in Chelsea, while enjoying a great meal of fish and chips, smoked salmon quiche, or seafood chowder. Those who stayed for dessert helped one club member celebrate her birthday with a candle-topped piece of carrot cake and then we adjourned for the drive back to Ottawa.

Photos are on the web at www.flickr.com/photos/raski/sets/72157603447956975/show/

Trip report by Cheryl Nakamura

Trip Report - DH Meet'n'Ski to Calabogie,  Sat Jan 07,12 

In answer to a request to schedule more skiing events on weekends for the working members of our ski club, Saturday Jan 7th at Calabogie Peaks was added to the Downhill program. Of course the morning weather looked lousy and the forecast backed it up, grey skies and rain later in the day. Nonetheless 5 participants arrived at the Kanata meeting point at the appointed time and off we went. Although the sun tried to poke through the heavy sky, rain drops reigned supreme. Corny or what. Anyway, when we got to the hill things were looking up, no pun intended, and we all got ready. Those of us who remembered to do so got $7.00 off the price of the ski pass by bringing our RASki membership card and benefitting from the senior rate.

Being the last weekend of the school Christmas break made for a fairly crowded hill, but not distressingly so as almost all runs were open and there was plenty of room to ski. Skiing conditions were very good verging on excellent. Lineups ranged from nothing to seven or eight minutes, virtually a non issue. The biggest delay was the speed, or I should say, the s..p..e....e...d... of the chair lifts. I think they need to be oiled with Gatorade or something. Stopping for lunch allowed us to find two more members who had driven up a little later than the early crew. They reported having driven through pouring rain to get there but persevered nonetheless. Good thing too, because it didn't rain at the ski hill all day except for an annoying 15 minute shower around 3 O' Clock. And then the sun came out with a clear blue sky for a chaser. Prior to that, we met up with another member who had driven up alone. So, a total of 8 members on a Saturday. Something to keep in mind.

One of the nice things about being a nice sized group is having the opportunity keep our crashes within the group, which we did. Person Smith wiped out person Jones and aches and pains will reveal themselves tomorrow upon waking I'm sure. And just to complete a great day, there was a wedding performed in the afternoon at the top of the mountain. That's about the only thing no RASki members were involved in all day. But we had fun.

Roger

XC Trip Report P9 to Huron Wed Jan 04,12 

With the thermometer reading -19 without the wind chill and Environment Canada reporting a temperature of -26 with the wind chill, there were still seven hardy souls who set out from the RA to ski in the Gatineau. We started at parking lot #9 and headed up the Fortune Lake Pkwy. There were not many skiers despite the fact that many people were still on holiday. Two of the group opted to head to Huron via trail #3 and the rest proceeded to #1. Conditions were good on the parkway and not too bad on trail #1 although we could use some more snow. Trail #3 was very hard and, in a few spots, icy. Along the Ridge Road trail (#1),we saw some fresh deer tracks that appeared to be heading away from Huron.

We arrived at Huron feeling quite chilled and, although there was a fire, the cabin was not very warm. Needless to say, we did not linger long.

We returned via the Champlain and Fortune Lake Parkways. It was fast and very cold. One of our group very kindly skied ahead and drove to P10 to meet a couple of skiers while the rest of us skied/walked back to P9.

Shivering, we all convened at La Soup’Herbe for hot drinks and some delicious vegetarian fare. It was warm and cozy and the conversation, the company and food were great. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Photos are on the web at http://www.flickr.com/photos/raski/sets/72157603447956975/show/

Trip Leader: Jane Rau

Trip Report - DH Meet'n'Ski to Vorlage,  Mon Jan 02,12 

We finally got enough snow for a mid-week ski day. The weather was perfect (-1 to -3C).

The snow was well groomed although it did start to get skied off by about 2:00. We had nine very excited skiers meet at the RA including two new to the club. We car pooled up to Vorlage in four vehicles, arriving shortly before 10:00. We had to ski the first 40 minutes on the green beginner hill until they got lift to the top of the main hill running. We stopped for lunch at 12:00 and most of us went out for several more hours of skiing.

A photo is on the web at http://www.flickr.com/photos/raski/6622913541/in/set-72157602559214706

Bill Danson

XC Trip Report - Asticou to Pink Lake,  Sun Jan 01,12 

On this first day of the year, I was joined by three other skiers to ski in spring like conditions. The temperature hovered at around the freezing point and there was some freezing rain in the forecast. We changed the route as the planed one; P11 O’Brien to Herridge was neither a recommend trail nor a starting point. The ski was not that bad despite the chronic lack of snow on the trails and it ended up being worth the drive to Asticou. As tradition oblige, we all went to one of the club’s favourite for a bite to eat, La Station on St-Joseph Blvd in Hull. The freezing rain never came while we were in the park but it was raining on the way back from the restaurant.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raski/sets/72157603447956975/show/

Jean-François Mélançon, Trip leader

XC Trip Report P16 to Healey Fri Dec 30,11 

Finally, some pretty awesome skiing! With only a few minor snow falls since Christmas Eve, trail #50 was in excellent shape with great snow coverage and some good grooming.

Nine of us started out from parking lot#16 on Pine Road and skied into Healey Cabin. It was a cool but gorgeous day with beautiful snow laden trees and an overcast sky. As expected with a larger group, we were soon spread out over the trail with the keeners soon lost to sight and the more relaxed crowd taking up the rear and oohing! and aahing! at the scenery. At Healey, we were fortunate to find a fire already lit although the cabin was not yet warm enough to want to linger too long. With lots of large windows, Healey affords some great views and we enjoyed watching some large jays and smaller birds that were identified as juncos vying for space at the feeder.

Conditions were as good as they get on the trail with very little of the gravel that can often be found on the last few hills leading into the parking lot. A credit to Demsis.

All of us convened at Restaurant La Vallee on Hwy 105, a short drive from the trailhead, for some hearty food and good conversation. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped to make it a very enjoyable outing.

Trip Leader: Jane Rau