In a place where snowstorms are welcomed in good humour: The Coureurs de boisés cross country ski club has welcomed lovers of skiing since mid-December.
(Martin Alarie)
Snow and fresh air: the gifts of nature
You don't have to drive an hour to reach dense forest and lose yourself in the calming immensity of a world of white, the air gently punctuated with lively regularity as skis slide on snow. All you need do is to do is get over to Duvernay or Sainte-Rose.
There are places in Laval where snowstorms put people in good humour. One of these is the Philémon-Gascon Community Centre, on Boulevard Saint-Elzéar East, where volunteers and employees of the Les Coureurs de boisés Cross-country ski club have been busy since mid-December: each new centimeter of snow draws out more members and new occasional lovers of skiing.
A brief history
Some volunteers of the club have the tradition well in hand, a tradition started by a handful of neighbours and perpetuated for more than a quarter-century. "At first, we skied in the backyards of housing projects in Vimont," relates Michel Bourassa who joined the club about 15 years ago.
The club's history officially began in 1979 with the acquisition of its charter as a non-profit organization. The original trails were carved with the help of a snowmobile owned by the group of member-friends.
Settled at first in the vicinity of Cité de la Santé, the skiers were compelled to move east from year to year due to the sprawl of residential housing in the district. The ski lovers finally ended up at 2830 Boulevard Saint-Elzéar East, where the club has been firmly established for about 25 years.
"Up to five years ago, the club was managed entirely by volunteers. But as membership steadily grew, the task became larger and larger," recalls Mr. Bourassa. Since then, the trails have been managed and maintained in partnership with Éco-Nature, the organization which manages the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.
A volunteer corps of 25 continues, nonetheless, to manage, maintain and secure the trails, in the process ensuring the maintenance of rights of access with farmers through agreements renewed annually. "They're always there to meet and greet skiers along the 26 kms of trails, and always in good humour," adds Mr. Bourassa.
Skiing, snowshoeing, skating and more
There are other destinations that make getting there worthwhile for all lovers of the great outdoors. The l'Équerre woodlands in Sainte-Rose offers a dozen km of trails and places where skiers and hikers blend with nature in harmony and civility.
As soon as conditions permit, the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles will invite fresh-air lovers to its winter program of activities. On the river's edge, there will be plenty of facilities for skating, skiing, snowshoeing and walking. The toboggan slide will also be available. An added novelty this year is a little village where fishing enthusiasts can enjoy angling on the river.
Photo:Skiing 1
(Martin Alarie)
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
