Where last year I had to walk a full, onerous and exhausting 200 yards to get to Lac St. Louis for cross country skiing, in Tadoussac the trails go right across our property so I have a choice of walking out the front door, or the back door. One way takes me down the private road to O’Neil’s, and into the woods, and the other way takes me down the path to O’Neil’s, and into the woods. And on windy days, which are many, the woods is the best place to be.
The set trails are not long, but that’s just as well as a volunteer does the work, but can only qualify if s/he owns his/her own snowmobile to pull the track-setter. This year that has been done with great regularity even though there hasn’t been nearly as much snow as usual.
The best thing has been the tremendous views from the top of the clay cliffs (and the sand dunes if you carry on off the official ski trails through the settlement and on to snowmobile tracks.) The worst thing has been that the lack of snow and frequent high winds tend to send spruce branches down on to the trail, and clay dust near the cliffs, which makes for stickiness under foot.
At the end of another day of wood work as the house nears completion, there’s nothing like an hour’s ski to clear the sawdust from my lungs, not to mention from between my ears.
Here are some pics.
A few years ago I found that there were also trails up on top of the upper dunes and I understand there are better trails down around Les Bergeronnes but I really haven’t made time this year to check those out. There’s always more to find out about.
Alan
Awesome pictures ! I want to go to the cedar stand and see what the trees look like up close and personal. And while I’m not sure about cross country skiing with you guys, I am more than open to the idea on setting the trail with the snow machine you should buy.
That is awesome. This would of course require that you actually come to visit!!! I am getting your room ready now – we even have beer and I might even buy real Scotch if you came – might.