Sure, winter sometimes sucks. But hey, one of the things you learn as a Montrealer is that when life hands you a snowstorm… go skiing.
We headed to Tremblant today. It was my first ski day of the season, which means that tomorrow I will probably experience my first ski-related leg muscle pains of the season. In fact, practically every time I go skiing, I wonder what masochistic impulse leads a usually rational human being to wake up at 7am, dress in layers of high-tech uncomfortable clothing, spend ninety minutes in a car driving to a ski hill, putting on still more gear including big clunky ski boots, and spending a day in the cold skiing down a mountain at breakneck speeds. That sentiment tends to linger right up until the moment I get off the chair lift and start skiing down the first run. Then it disappears.
Overall it was a fun day. A bit icy, a bit foggy, but the temperature was perfect and, while there was precious little sunshine, at least there was no wind. The big dump of snow led to some great conditions early on. And despite failing to take a warning sign about ice seriously, no major injuries were sustained. I even managed to roll my eyes in a typically Montreal fashion at a billboard ad for Caribbean beach vacations that we passed in the car on the way home. What, give up skiing for sunshine and warm weather? Me? Perish the thought!
Some may disagree. But winter rules.
I’m coming to Tremblant with the family in April. I hope it’s just a little warmer by then. How’s the spring skiing?
Depends on the year, of course, but early April is usually still pretty good for skiing. We often get a big snowstorm or two in April. The weather’s always a crapshoot, but it sounds like a pretty good bet.
As for it being warmer, it hasn’t been all that cold these past few days. Saturday was only minus 5 and no wind. Perfect skiing weather.