trip itinerary by day
Price includes guiding, facilitation, group gear, food, first night lodging at Manoir De Sapins and Cabin stays throughout the trip. Ski rentals are not included.
Day 1, Monday, February 24
Our journey starts at Manoir De Sapins, a charming hostel in the small coastal village of Ste-élicité https://www.manoirdessapins.com/en/. Our hosts, Aurelie and Deidre, are good friends and have hosted us before and after our expeditions, for many years. Please arrive between 4 and 5:30 PM. Dinner will be served at 6 PM followed by a pre-trip meeting.
Day 2, Tuesday, February 25
After an early breakfast, we will carpool to the trailhead in the national park. We will drop off our food and kitchen gear at the transport service cabin. It will be sledded into the mountains by snow machine, while we ski with light packs. At night, we will use candles for light. Cabins have outhouses with a view. Sometimes there is a spring with running water nearby, while other times we’ll melt snow. Cabins are supplied with bunk beds, mattresses, firewood, and a large pot for melting snow. You will carry a change of clothes and a mid-weight sleeping bag (cabins are well-insulated and stay warm through the night). On this day, we will cover ten gradual uphill kilometers (1600 foot vertical gain) through the Boreal Forest reaching our first cabin, La Paruline, nestled on the shore of upland Lake Haymard.
Day 3, Wednesday, February 26
This is a layover day at La Paruline, and we can choose a more challenging all-day backcountry tour with navigation or a shorter exploration with time to relax by the fire in the afternoon.
Day 4, Thursday, February 27
Today, we will move camp to Le Pluvier, our next cabin, flanked by majestic mountains on the shore of highland Lake Cascapedia. Two routes lead to Le Pluvier: the first is 11 kilometers on a wider and generally well-traveled trail. The second, is 15 kilometers through more challenging backcountry terrain. We will make decisions based on weather, snow conditions, and the group’s performance over the two previous days.
Day 5, Friday, February 28
This is a rest day with many exciting options. The ambitious backcountry skiers can attempt a challenging ascent with sweeping views of the mountains, and those interested in Boreal ecology, navigation, and wildlife can go on a guided exploration of lakes and mountains with a map and compass in search of moose, while others, who like to relax and read by the fire, will find the cabin delightful and restful amidst a magical winter world. In the evening, we will celebrate the last night of the expedition!
Day 6, Saturday, March 1
This is the last day of our journey. After breakfast, packing and clean up, we’ll head down the mountains, carving turns on the gradual ten-kilometer descent back to the trailhead.
Is this trip right for me?
You need to enjoy skiing 10 - 15 kilometers with a 50-70 liter pack in a backcountry terrain. Trails are not groomed, and conditions are varied: sometimes we will be breaking trail through deep snow; trails may get icy, and some trails are narrow. Some ascents require skins and some descents require making turns. You don’t need to be an expert telemark skier, but at least have a strong snowplow turn, that you can perform consistently, with weight on your back. Covering 15 miles in the backcountry requires more effort than an equal distance at a Nordic ski center. Compared to the 2024 trip, this is an easier itinerary with less elevation change and an extra layover day.
Weather notes:
Ordinarily, at the end of February, you can expect winter weather with temperatures dipping down to single digits and even below zero and rising into the upper twenties. It will most likely be snowing at least half of the time and we can potentially experience a big snowstorm while out in the backcountry. Snowstorms typically deposit between one and three feet of powder. We could experience bright winter sun, or an unexpected winter rain due to the changing climate. There is no avalanche danger on this trip. While the weather is likely colder than what you are used to, it is easy and fun to live and exercise in the cold and every night we’ll have the luxury of a warm and dry cabin where we’ll rest, dry our ski boots, and clothes and cook and eat a delicious meal to replenish our strength and stamina. We have guided groups in the cold for decades and will help you stay comfortable and avoid frostbite and hypothermia while having fun!
Driving notes:
We recommend snow tires while driving in Quebec. Unlike in New England, Quebec roads don’t stop during major snowstorms. A three-foot storm is not a weather emergency, but business as usual. Snow squalls, not associated with weather systems are frequent along the coast. Their snow-removal equipment and techniques are superior and they know how to drive well during the 6.5 months of winter. In our opinion, four-wheel drive is not nearly as important as snow tires! Check the weather forecast, plan your drive accordingly, and avoid driving through snow storms at night.
After the trip:
We will say goodbye in the early afternoon, at the trailhead. If you have extra time, we highly recommend staying in Quebec longer. Here are some great options:
Head up to Gite Du Mont Albert https://www.sepaq.com/pq/gma/index.dot?language_id=1 , a few kilometers up the park road. Here, you can stay at the hotel or in one of many cozy chalets, surrounding the mountain resort. This resort is set in the center of the mountains with world-class backcountry skiing, ski-mountaineering, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities. There is a great restaurant and sauna. There are no stores, gas stations, or commercial developments of any kind at Mont Albert.
Return to Manoir De Sapins and experience the charming maritime culture, authentic cuisine and magnificent views of the frozen gulf of St Lawrence
Cross St Lawerence on an ice-breaker ferry and head down to Quebec City. Quebec City is the only fully intact fortified medieval city in North America. Much like going to Europe, without crossing the ocean! There are many authentic cultural, and adventure opportunities including some of the best Nordic skiing on the continent, great downhill skiing, museums, architecture and French cuisine.
We love Quebec, know it well, and will be happy to help you make the most out of your stay!