Experience Québec
True story!
Snowshoeing, so cool!
Snowshoeing is an activity that’s growing by leaps and bounds both in North America and Europe. For a long time, it wasn’t popular because it made walking difficult and exhausted the snowshoer within mere hours, but traditional snowshoeing has since been reinvented. Now it’s all the rage! Snowshoes are far lighter, manageable and high-tech, so you can explore new regions with new-found freedom.
Anyone who, like me, knew what snowshoeing was like in the 1970s–Algonquin and Yukon snowshoes, and other bear paws–will be pleasantly surprised by the new sport it has become. It’s no longer a matter of starting out on your trek dressed to the gills, and then feeling frozen a short time later. Everything’s changed! Snowshoeing has entered the 21st century. I, personally, had decided the sport wasn’t for me, but meeting Roch Anctil and Lucette Voyzelle from Excursions Nouvelle-France (ENF Canada)from convinced me otherwise.Snowshoeing the modern way!
“Snowshoeing is no longer a matter of sinews and varnished wood,” Roch pointed out to me. “Faber, Québec’s largest snowshoe manufacturer, offers 23 models of snowshoes, ranging from traditional snowshoes, to modern aluminium-frame or plastic snowshoes.” There are practically just as many types of snowshoes as there are types of snowshoeing excursion, “and types of snow,” added Lucette. We’ve come a long way from the first pair of snowshoes dating back thousands of years. With the right snowshoes, proper clothing and equipped with Roch’s advice, there I was… ready for adventure!Embracing winter
My first snowshoeing excursion was to the Parc national des Grands-Jardins(in French), in the heart of the Charlevoix region, along the edge of the eponymous crater that was formed when a gigantic meteorite fell to the earth millions of years ago.
The path was wide and well groomed. Near the peaks, the landscape resembled boreal forest, with woods surrounding the trail in every direction. The total silence around us made for an unforgettable experience. After a short trek, we arrived at the shores of Lac Sainte-Anne, where we stopped for a fun and relaxing lunch. On the return trip, our guides promised us some real action.
With the fresh snow beckoning, we went off trail, heeding Roch’s snow-shoeing instructions and advice about potential dangers… A caribou? A bear? No! More like: “Watch out for tree trunks. They often hide huge pockets of air. If you get too close to a trunk, you might fall in up to your waist!”Indeed, in the woods, the snow can be up to two metres deep. With the swirling wind, snow banks form around the trees, creating empty space around the trunk. Snowshoers can fall into these and find themselves trapped in the snow. Walking sticks are therefore an essential piece of equipment! During the hike, each person takes a turn at the head of the pack, facing the challenges posed by winter’s various tricks and surprises.
In the footsteps of trappers and traders
This time, we set off for the Parc régional du Mont Grands-Fonds. With snow falling heavily around us, the outing promised to be a spectacular one. This mountain boasts a trail reserved exclusively for snowshoers. After getting to the peak by ski-tow, our plan was to trek down the mountainside. As the snowstorm picked up, all we could see was white. It was as though the mountain were cut off from the rest of the world. Once we got onto the trail, the wind died down and the snow swirled softly around us. “It looks like the perfect Christmas card scene,” said Lucette.
Going off trail was a pure delight. In the summertime, a mountain hike in dense forest can be dangerous, with the trees being major obstacles. But in the winter, there is no danger posed by the branches on the ground or steep terrain.
On two metres of snow, you feel like a giant, so it’s easier to work your way through the rows of evergreens and birch trees. And walking on snowshoes is so silent you can observe the wildlife without startling it. While our outing was a far cry from the traditional fur trader expeditions, it was nonetheless a great adventure that gave us a tremendous feeling of freedom and personal challenge. Testing your capabilities certainly allows you to get to know yourself better!Cap Tourmente under the sun
Our last excursion was to the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. This time we left our snowshoes behind and visited the park on foot. The paths were wide open, the sun was out and the wildlife was awaiting us. This reserve is home to over 300 species of birds. In the wintertime, with no leaves on the trees and thanks to the many feeders placed along the paths, the 40 or so “residents” can be spotted easily. Be sure to bring your binoculars along! You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a white-tailed deer. And starting in mid-April, the greater snow goose makes a stop at Cap Tourmente en route to the Far North. Winter in technicolor
Wintertime is virtually a way of life. Some people suffer through it, others embrace it enthusiastically. The colours of winter are incredible—not everything is white—and the season goes by a lot faster when you see it up close. | Snowshoeing 101 |
In the winter, the enjoyment of an outing depends largely on how you are dressed and on certain accessories.
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André Quenneville
2009-07-15
