Because nothing grows in the comfort zone, I put snowshoeing on my agenda. For someone whose past winters resemble those of a hibernating black bear… this is progress.

I chose a day that was glorious. Winter sunshine warmed the air. A heavy snowfall the night before had left shimmering powder blanketing every surface. My plan was to find a nice flat path, and follow it.

Change of plan

That was the plan before I asked Trihard Team coach Gilbert Ayoub to recommend his favorite snowshoe trail. Instead of telling me, he said he’d show me. So, I layered on my winter woolies and went off to meet Gilbert and his crew.

A flat path was not what Gilbert had in mind. His plan was to traverse and scale Montagne Verte. I stuck to the trails on the way up. My short-term goal was to make it to the top without breaking a limb. It took a bit of effort – and my dear friend Jacynthe Martin coaching me on foot placement in some of the steeper areas – but up the mountain I went.

As I crested the top, it was not the exertion that took my breath away, it was the absolute beauty of snow-drenched nature as far as the eye could see. The view was worth the climb. Outside the zone is exhilarating.

Going off trail

Having made it to the top without mishap, it was coming down the mountain that I learned the term bushwhacking. That’s when the fun really set in. Going off trail and exploring the mountain in hip deep fresh powder was a blast. I highly recommend it.

While there is still time this season, strap on your snowshoes and make some tracks in our beautiful Tremblant playground.  And if you really want to have some fun… bushwhack your way down a mountain.

By the same author: Dance like no one is watching (Click the image below)