Thursday, December 31, 2009

Laurentian Vacation!


Beadraich and Woodsy - Three days of taller hills, steeper pitches and vastly different culinary experiences quickly describes our time in Saint-Sauveur, QC. Our first night in La Belle Province was spent in downtown Montreal where we enjoy the experience of Rue Ste. Catherine on Boxing day. It was incredible, and completed by a visit to the Icebreaker corporate store where we were delighted to find some boxing days sales. Woodsy's research included dining of course, and we were delighted to find that La Queue de Cheval was located across the street from our hotel. WOW... it's the only thing that comes to mind after dining there.

Our whirlwind tour of Montreal included an icy drive through Old Montreal, and a trip to the Olympic Park. After le petit dejeuner at Chez Cora's, we embarked on our journey north to find ourselves in the Laurentians.

With some time to explore and our usual zest for filling every moment, we ventured north, past Saint-Sauveur to explore Tremblant and grab lunch. The Fairmont seemed a perfect place for a light lunch and a drink. Now, what would a Quebec lunch be without a wonderful plate of Quebec cheeses, and a relaxed view of the mountain? It is definately worth the visit, if you ever find yourself in Tremblant.

On to the destination of choice. We arrived at our hotel in Saint-Sauveur only a few minutes before the friends we were meeting, and quickly unpacked and ventured out to Mont-Habitants for a quick round of night sking. Now the conditions were a mix of challenging wet snow mixing into harder packed and ice after the rain, ice storm, cold weather mix. Tired and satisfied with our first day out, we needed food.

Italian it was, in a little place whose name we never did learn, but when our waiter told us they didn't have wine or beer, we thought he was joking. Upon learning that he was serious, we picked our chins up and decided so be it. Bolognaise sauce to die for, and some other great meals, we were done, and retired to the hotel to explore some more tomorrow.


The Photo above was taken along Rue Prinicpale in Saint-Sauveur during one of Beadraich's morning drives looking for java and some photos.

Morin-Height's Ski area beckoned us for our first full day of sking and any ski area located on Rue Bennett has to be a good place to visit. Conditions were ice, and clumps of ice that were formed when temperatures dropped overnight after the groomers set up the runs. It was a challenging morning that left both of us with tired legs by shortly after lunch. Tired legs and a empty stomach's lead us back to Saint-Sauveur where we enjoyed Sandwiches at a great little coffee shop called Brulerie de Monts which is located right beside the beautiful church in town.

What would a trip to Quebec be without an indulgence at a Creperie? There are at least 3 creperies along Rue Principale and we chose the one that seemed most recommended for dinner that evening and were not disappointed. The menu had pages of Crepes, Raclette's, Fondue's and generally anything else that would make for a happy, yet bursting tummy. Woodsy had a colleague from the area join us for dinner, and she was most helpful in understanding things like the importance of having Bechamel sauce on a crepe. (She was right, it was incredible).

On to sking Mont Saint-Sauveur and Mont-Avila. These two ski hills are joined and you can ski both with one lift ticket, so we started out in the -20C temperatures. Conditions were just awesome, fast, exciting, and great sking on everything they had to offer, except the terrain park. From black diamonds that made you want to race down them to the "Red Bird" which made you just want to enjoy the sking, friendships and views from the top.

By far our favourite day of sking was followed by another local recommendation that we try a little place called Cafe Citrus in Ste. Adele just up the road for the "Best Soup and Sandwich ever" we were not disappointed as we both fumbled our way through the french only menu, and our waitress who barely spoke english was very helpful in working with us to understand. It was tres-bien and lived up to the recommendation!

Our last dinner in La Belle Province was a little disappointing, so I won't bore you with the details, but will say that after a 9 hour drive through such places as Arnprior, Renfrew, Bancroft and Haliburton we are now back in Collingwood looking out the window watching a snow squall.

Bonne Annee everyone!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!!

Woodsy - Merry Christmas to all friends and family who follow our blog. I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas. We have already celebrated 2 family Christmas'...heading to church, then my brother's house tonight. Tomorrow we will be in Toronto. As usual it is a whirlwind around Christmas, just the way I love it.
We will be hitting the road on Sunday. Beadraich and I are spending a night in Montreal. Beadraich hasn't been there since he was little. It will be a fun night, just the two of us. On Monday, we will be in St. Sauveur skiing with friends! Can't wait!!
Hopeful Santa finds everyone tonight!!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Ski Season is here!

Beadraich - As Woodsy mentioned yesterday, we enjoyed first tracks at Osler Bluff Ski Club yesterday thanks to some friends who signed us in. It was AWESOME! Yesterday's definition of a lift lineup was when two groups of skiers would arrive at the chair at the same time.

With -15 plus windchill, yesterday was the perfect chance to see how my new Icebreaker base layer would perform. And perform it did. I was warm all day except for some exposed skin between my goggles and beard.

The skiing? Woodsy was her usual metronome self with smooth rythmic turns, even as she was adjusting as her feet and new boots were introduced for the first time. (Carrie was right, by the end of the day her feet were getting happier and the boots were feeling better) Now, for me, I felt like a duck out of water, but after a few runs and a few pointers, I was doing better. Carrie will say it's entirely in the great Preseason tuneup from Kenmark that allowed me to even stay on my feet ;o). My legs, can't say the same this morning as they are not happy with me. Hot Tub at the gym, here I come.

A week from today we'll be in Quebec, skiing some new terrain and enjoying a little break from it all. Expect some posts, and even some photos if Woodsy will approve them.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

First Tracks

Woodsy - First Tracks!!! Today was our first day out this season and we were there almost for first tracks. Surprisingly, it wasn't very busy. There weren't any lines and the conditions were amazing. I had a bit of a tough couple of first runs, as I was breaking in new boots. I perservered and the boots are much better. We had an excellent day with our friends. We are travelling to St. Sauveur for a 3 day ski trip after Christmas. I'm sure you will hear more about them in upcoming posts. I'm sure both Beadraich and I will be tired and stiff tomorrow but we both have smiles on our faces.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

It's Going to be a Party!

Beadraich - These last few days have been a whirlwind of activity for us as volunteers, with a few e-mails a day with information, and things to do. We now have to spend this weekend organizing how and when we pick up our uniforms, and accreditation.

Now, the exciting thing I have to share with everyone is a link to the party that is going to be called Whistler come February. Whistler Medals Plaza will be hosting live music each night that we will be able to experience.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Inside 2 Months

Beadraich - Yesterday marked the 2 month mark until the start of the Vancouver Olympics. It seems like almost 2 years ago that this began for Woodsy and I. If you have read this blog from the beginning you most likely understand the patience we have had in getting this far, and it's starting to sink in that it's slowly becoming a reality. With the excitement comes some learning and more research. Now really, Woodsy is the researcher, as she already has a list of places to go for dinner, things to do, and places to see when we are out there. Me, I'm lazy with stuff like that, so I called Visa Concierge and they sent me a list of dining suggestions and things to do on our off days.

Now, I'm starting to learn some interesting things about Whistler, BC. It was planned from the very beginning to be a host city for the Olympics. This planning started back in the 1960's.

Thanks to those of you who sent me some stocking stuffer ideas for Woodsy, and of course Carrie at Kenmark Snow Sports as I'm starting to think she is helping Woodsy and I with a few stocking stuffers, and keeping us straight would be a tough job.

59 Days till we fly out, and truly begin our Olympic Experience.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Snow, Snow, Stocking Stuffers and More Snow

Beadraich - With 3 days of snow under our belt, and a planned weekend in Collingwood for next weekend, I was delighted to hear the news that Blue Mountain was opening this coming weekend. With our skis still at Kenmark Snow Sports getting their preseason tuneup, and the first family Christmas function on Sunday, I'm not going to be skiing this weekend.

Speaking of Christmas, Woodsy and I have decided that with the upcoming trip to Saint Sauveur for the Holidays, and then of course the Olympics, we will forego the usual Christmas gifts and just do stockings. So... if anyone has an interesting ideas for Woodsy's stocking, feel free to leave a comment.

Now.. for more snow..... I'm off to get a hair cut, and if all goes well, take my first snow picture of the year... probably to be posted here later.... Cheers.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The hill will soon be alive with the sound of shoosh, shoosh, shoosh, shoosh!

Beadraich - Our skis are now at Kenmark Snow Sports for their pre-season tuneups. This annual ritual means that there is some white stuff about to fall from the sky and turn our favourite hills into a winter wonderland of morning corduroy and afternoon moguls. Some other sure signs that ski season is imminent are that Glen Eden was blowing snow this weekend, and I've received 5 weather updates from the Weather Network to warn of possible snow squalls in Collingwood this afternoon.
I've just checked the Blue Mountain conditions and they are making snow on two runs. Not exactly my favourite runs, but they are runs, and if all goes well, they will be able to open in a week. Woodsy and I are planning on spending the next two weekends in Collingwood should there be snow, and we can work to once again get comfortable on skis and work out the kinks of the summer.
With snow conditions soon to improve, Christmas almost upon us, and less that 70 days until we depart, it's hard not to get to excited.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Anniversary, Weather

Woodsy - December 5...it is the anniversary of our "in person interview" at Downsview last year. Hard to believe we are celebrating anniversaries of this adventure!!


There is finally snow in our long range forecast! It looks like there could be up to 10 cm of snow on Wednesday. If that is the case, we will be grabbing first tracks next Saturday! In preparation, Beadraich is getting our skiis tuned at our local ski store. Let it snow.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

71 Days - But I'm not counting!

Beadraich - I'm starting to get excited, people are subscribing to this little blog which is just a place for us to share our stories and misadventures while realizing a lifelong dream. So, thank you to everyone who is subscribing, and following us. Woodsy and I both appreciate all of the encouragement and support. It's a huge cliche, but for me that encouragement and support really makes it easier and more enjoyable each step of the way.

I have been put in touch with a fellow volunteer who is the self described "Older/Ski Bum Brother" of one of my colleagues in KW. This Ski Bum has spent his life chasing snow, and finding ways to work in the industry so he can ski for free. (Yes, I'm jealous) Sounds like a great guy who is volunteering to learn more about the Weasels, Whistler's very own group of volunteers who make each and every world cup race and now the olympics possible. I'm looking forward to grabbing a few runs with this new friend and hearing some stories of Big White and some of the other BC resorts.

Reflecting on why I want to do this, I keep coming back to the people I'm going to meet. The pints that will be drank at the volunteer pub, and the opportunity to help showcase what a great country I'm blessed to live in.