Winter's Embrace: First Skis of the Season

Imagine this: it's barely December, the mercury has plummeted to a brutal -20 degrees Celsius, and the wind chill is making it feel even worse, a staggering -28. Most of us would be curled up by a fire, right? Well, not everyone. In the Ottawa-Gatineau area, a dedicated bunch of winter enthusiasts decided this was the perfect day to hit the slopes.

That's exactly what happened at Mont Cascades on Saturday, as the ski hill officially kicked off its season. And what a kickoff it was! Despite the icy grip of the weather, Mother Nature had delivered a fresh blanket of about 10 to 20 centimetres of beautiful, fluffy snow overnight. It really set the stage, creating conditions that were just too tempting to resist for those eager for their first taste of winter.

You could see it in their eyes, even through all the layers and goggles – pure joy. Skiers and snowboarders, bundled head-to-toe, carved their way down the pristine runs, their breath misting in the frigid air. Marc Laviolette, who was out with his son, summed up the sentiment perfectly, saying it 'feels good to be back.' He even added, with a chuckle I imagine, that it was 'refreshing' – a bold claim for such cold, but entirely understandable when you've waited all year!

It takes a certain kind of passion, a real love for the sport, to brave temperatures that literally freeze your eyelashes. But for these folks, the crisp air, the sensation of gliding over fresh snow, and the sheer exhilaration of it all clearly outweighed any discomfort. Many echoed Laviolette's sentiment: it was absolutely 'worth it' to experience that very first run of the season. There’s just something magical about it, isn’t there?

Of course, the cold weather, while a challenge for skiers, is actually a blessing for the hills. Sylvain Berthiaume, the general manager at Mont Cascades, explained that these early-season freezing temperatures are crucial for making snow and getting the base ready for a long, successful winter. He sounded incredibly optimistic, noting that opening on December 1st is pretty standard for them, and the demand for season passes has been wonderfully strong.

So, as the season officially gets underway in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, it’s clear that a little bit of frostbite-inducing weather isn't going to deter the truly dedicated. If Saturday was any indication, this winter promises to be a vibrant one on the slopes, filled with hardy smiles and plenty of fresh tracks. Here’s to a fantastic ski season ahead – just remember to layer up!