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| There are many awesome places to ski and snowshoe in Canada, the US and beyond! We know there is more demand now for long trips, but XC needs help to make more long trips happen. There are different kinds of help needed: 1. You could help us with general online research to find great new locations and/or research locations where we are thinking of going. It would be great to develop a ‘database’ of locations (and details about them). 2. You could assist in organizing specific trips. 3. You could be a trip leader. There are benefits to being a trip leader – you for sure will get on the trip (which sometimes can be hard for popular trips!) and a good portion of your trip will be paid for (it depends on the type of trip as to how much). Trip leaders should be detail-oriented, friendly, and able to roll with the punches and problem solve. Assisting on a trip is a good way to get started and learn the ropes! Email crosscountry@hpsc.ca if you are willing to help us out! |
Cross-Country Paradise!
.jpeg) HPSC recently had a fabulous trip to Quebec City (Mar. 10-15). While I’ve been skiing for over a decade, it was my first time there. I can’t wait to go back! It really is one of the best bases for XC skiing and snowshoeing in the country. We visited three locations – Mont-Ste-Anne (two days), Sentier des Caps (at Le Massif; one day), and Camp Mercier (one day). Combined you are looking at 250+km of trails! As with most trips this year, conditions were looking dire…then the area received 50cm of new snow the day before our first ski day. We were saved!!! Follow this up with four days of sun and above zero temperatures and we got some pretty magical spring skiing. Everyone keeps asking me why I am so tanned. Yes, I forgot sunscreen. My favourite day hands down was Sentier des Caps. It was solid sun all day, and the classic skiing in the trees was amazing. The system isn’t large, but it made up for that in views of the St. Lawrence – including a magnificent one off the Abbatis hut (made the tough climb out worth it!). But all our ski days were fantastic – and Jean-Emile was even passed by world champion skier Alex Harvey at MSA! A great part of the trip is staying in the city – not only do you get great skiing during the day, you can wander around a beautiful city at night and eat lots of amazing food, including as many croissants as you could want. If you need a break from skiing, you can be a city tourist. It’s really the best of both worlds Huge thanks to Ephraim for his exceptional trip leading skills and hopefully we get to go again! Heather Steel Director of Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing |
Celebrate the XC season with a wine and cheese ski day in the sun!
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| While we are hoping to run more trips, the reality is that this coming weekend may be our last. It will be sunny and warm, so come celebrate the season in the slush with your ski friends. Saturday we will be at Scenic Caves and will hold our annual wine and cheese in the log cabin before we leave (departure time remains the same, we will just end our ski day a bit early). There are lessons and guided snowshoeing. The Sunday crew (if enough register) will be headed to Hardwood for one last glorious day in the sun. Register by Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6pm. March can be unpredictable and if we magically get more snow, you know we will be on it and will try to run more trips! But as much as it pains me, the forecast is just not looking favourable at the moment. So get it in while you can! Heather, Director, XC Skiing and Snowshoeing |
Last call for long trips…
Registration for Killington closes on Feb 1. Quebec City March break closes on Feb 9.
March 10-15 – stay 5 nights in Old Quebec City and Ski at Ski Mont St. Anne, Le Massif, Stoneham OR Cross-Country and Snowshoe, hot breakfast daily.
March 17-22 – stay 5 nights at the Killington Grand Hotel in either a suite (with cooking facilities) or hotel room. Enjoy the wonderful hot tubs with a view of the mountain and walking distance to the hill. Discount provided for Ikon pass holders.
Sign Up for these trips before Registration closes!!
Questions?
You may find the answer to your questions under the FAQ section under both the Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding and the Cross-Country and Snowshoeing tabs on the website. As we are a volunteer run club, this is often the fastest way to find out answers to your questions, such as bus pick-up locations and departure times and the deadlines to register and cancel for day trips.
New members can also reach out to their assigned Club Ambassadors for assistance but remember that they are also volunteers. Please allow time for refunds as they are also handled by volunteers.
The website also provides email addresses for specific areas. Please send cancellation requests to cancellations@hpsc.ca, not to info@hpsc.ca as this is only a general information email.
We have faced many challenges this year with a late start to the season and unpredictable weather issues. Always check the Day Trips Status page on the website for up-to-date information regarding day trips and any last minute changes such as the addition of a second bus.
Spend Spring Break in Quebec City!
A few spots are still available for both downhill and cross-country skiers on the Quebec City trip! March 10-15 – 5 nights’ accommodation at Hotel Manoir Victoria, in heart of Old Quebec City, close to great dining and shopping! Enjoy magnificent Downhill OR XC/snowshoeing at renowned Quebec areas!
Downhill: Mont Ste Anne – 2 days, Stoneham – 1 day, Le Massif – 1 day
Cross-Country/Snowshoe: Mont Ste Anne – 2 days, Camp Mercier – 1 day, Sentier de Caps – 1 day
For a full description of the above trip and to sign up, go to the website. Book your spot before they are all gone!
Cross-Country finally has snow!
It was a long, frustrating wait, but we are back in business! Many of our ski areas got walloped with snow this past Sunday. It really does take just one good day of snow squalls. We ran our first trip to the snow globe that was Scenic Caves last Sunday and we are preparing for many more.
January 20 we are headed to Highlands Nordic and January 21 we are headed to Hardwood Ski and Bike. Both should have great conditions as it’s supposed to be a cold week.
Register for trips here: https://hpsc.ca/Cross-Country-Day-Trips-Registration. We are still opening trips on a week by week basis, be we should be able to move to our normal two-week registration window at some point soon.
If trips are full (people are keen to ski!), put your name on the waitlist. If enough people want to go, we can check with the resorts to see if we can bring two buses. Or, if there are cancellations, you could get moved on the trip. As I have mentioned, we know people like to ski Saturdays, but we can’t accommodate everyone who prefers that. Sunday often doesn’t fill up as quickly.
Let’s get out and enjoy winter!!!
Ski Beautiful Quebec with either our Quebec City based trip or Club Med Charlevoix!
Both trips feature Skiing, Dining and Exploring!
March 10-15 – Stay in Old Quebec City and Ski at Ski Mont St. Anne, Le Massif, Stoneham OR Cross-Country and Snowshoe
March 24-28 – Stay 4 nights at the luxurious new Club Med in Charlevoix with lifts and all meals, drinks, beverages included. Skiing is at Le Massif and you will enjoy guided skiing with the Club Med guides. The fifth night is spent with a stay in old Quebec City, where you can enjoy marvelous Quebec City dining. The dinner is not included in Quebec City but you can wander the town with your new ski buddies and choose from the many options available.
March 17-22 – Killington, Vermont – A few spots still available to stay at the Killington Grand with its wonderful outdoor hot tubs with a view of the mountain and walking distance to the lifts.
Sign up for these trips before Registration closes!!
Reminder: Cross-Country is not permitting drive ups
Another reminder that cross-country is not permitting drive ups for lessons this year. We simply do not have the instructor capacity to accommodate it. This likely will be the case for the next few years, as it takes time to find and train new instructors.
If you signed up specifically to drive up for XC lessons, please email membership@hpsc.ca and we can refund your membership. You may still drive up for alpine lessons (and need to be a member for that). Thanks for your understanding.
Cross-Country Ski School special programming is back
New to cross-country skiing? Our classic beginners series might be for you. Join instructor Vera (or Liora, depending on demand) for three consecutive weeks of beginner classes designed for new skiers. You will have the same instructor and classmates and learn to get moving on your skis. You must be available all three dates (January 7, 14, 21) and email crosscountry@hpsc.ca to register. If you can’t join the series, you can participate in our regular beginner lessons.
We are also offering special hill clinics that will give you more practice time than in a regular lesson. Our beginner hill clinic on January 20 will teach you to get up and down hills safely. For more advanced skiers who want to play around going faster (step turns anyone?), we are offering an intermediate/advanced hill clinic on February 4 (TBD as to whether it’s classic or skate). Sign up online during trip registration.
Also for more intermediate/advanced skiers, we are offering a classic trail handling clinic on February 24. Learn how to transition between techniques on the trail to ski smarter and faster. You will need some facility with all the main techniques – diagonal stride, double poling, one step double pole in particular. Sign up online during trip registration.
And for those who just want to get tips for a specific technique, we are offering two dates of skate and classic tips and tricks (February 10 & 24). Book 15-20 minutes with an instructor to work something specific – whatever you want! Sign up online during trip registration.
Please note that on the days we offer intermediate + clinics, we will not be offering any other intermediate/advanced lessons. We may schedule more clinics for later in the season as we assess how its going. If there is something in particular you would like a clinic on, let us know at crosscountry@hpsc.ca.