Anyone skiing or snowshoeing this season? I go through different stages in my life for my activities seeing I have way too many of them and so many projects. Days are too short for me.

I'm really looking forward going skiing but Back country style climbing with skins and down downhill style. Got all my gear ready but need to look into new AT bindings and @ $400 plus thats a killer on the pocket.

Snowshoeing for me.

I began to do some long runs on the "Orleans Island" in 2008-2009 winter season.

I really enjoyed it but my gear isn't up to the task. The shoes and boots are top notch but the North Face parka is WAY too hot (i unzip it, even at night with temperature below -20C°).

Too bad that i paid over 400$ bucks for it. It's barely comfortable except for very low temp.
Of course, i do some photography and/or rimfire shooting so i stay long time in place and the hot parka have it's utility but not that much.

I have to buy another one...

I love to walk at night in the fields with lots of wind and nothing in sight but infinity of pitch black... the shoes crunching in the occasional hard packed snow... with some 'yotes barking in the distance...

Life is worth it, i think.

I didn't do much last year but I have it in me to go do some AT skiing. I know what you mean being alone out there with just the wind and crunching of boots. I'm usually good to -30-35c myself and have a good system for the jacket. Last time I was in Switzerland I picked up a nice shell jacket with fleece zippered liner. The underarms can open up 12" to vent, built in hood in the collar that actually is well designed, extension to go over my butt and best of all it's 100% waterproof as in throw a bucket of water on me and I stay dry. I used it in North Van on a barge over in Howe sound while it was pouring rain and not one drop of water got in, not even the seams.

My pants are MistyMountain and great except their one size too big for me, I'm going to take the pants apart at the seams and take them in a bit with the sewing machine myself. Yes I know, John can sew.

When I go skiing high up well it's AT skiing so I have Dynafit boots but not the warmest when I have the buckles tightened. I usually keep them slack on the ascend then buckle down for the downhill part. I even bring snowshoes sometimes because I can get in areas that are steep as hell that it becomes more trouble on skis.

I intend to hit Tremblant a few times, I grew up with a place in the area. MSA I want to do this year along with Massif on the same trip if possible. Chic Choc mountains I haven't been and have no clue where to go park or which region is good. North Shore Vancouver is on my list for winter 2011 but both Chi Choc & North Shore mountains might be wise for me to take a back country avalanche course. They teach more then just the avalanche awareness like back country techniques and survival skills.

Soory for going on so much, I just love the outdoors in an adventure sense.

Cheers

i'm in for a backcoutry ride,

i snowshooe a loti ussually go down snowshooing or with a crazy carpey but i also have a snowboard to go down if we need..i'm setup for pretty much any temparature!

we just need to setup a date!

Cool.

Mont-Tremblant Park had hut to hut backcountry and I think they still do. But yeah getting a small groop that has the ability to ski or snowboard downhill in steep descents would be great. But I do carry emergency gear with me just in case because I do go in remote area's.

To set a date we might have to see who's interested first, I know theirs no snow on the ground yet and it's nice out still but you guys know how fast that can change.

I'm thinking of chamging my AT bindings for the "Fritschi Freeride Plus AT", need something newer but we'll see with the budget. These go for $515 plus tax here but I found some brand new for $325 USD in the states and $20 or shipping, it's a hell of a difference even with the currency exchange.

Now to wait for them snow flakes.

Went up past Grennville, Que. today to drop off furniture at a clients cottage and wow what a difference with snow. That region is very nice too for XC skiing or snow shoeing since alot of the roads are closed for winter and full of small lakes. My daughters don't have snowshoes and I want to try them out so my client was nice enough to lend 2 pairs so we can see if they like it before I spend money on them.

Next weekend I just might go in that area to snowshoe or go up to my old place by the Papineau-Labelle Provincial park. Bring some food, something to drink and a small stove for hot chocolate and voila. Gona be a family thing.