Twice a year, Tremblant Ski Resort allows night-time ski touring. This special permission is granted to fifteen or so 24h Tremblant teams and to more than one hundred participants in the Traversée Nocturne. For this last group, the climb takes place at sunset, and the descent, under the first stars. The mountain adventure, which includes a festive apres-ski experience at the North Side, is closely monitored by kindly guides, devoted patrollers and understanding groomers.

An annual meet-up

On February 24, 2024, the Traversée Nocturne will mark its tenth birthday. A survivor of the Festival Rando Alpine, the unique activity fills up fast as soon as the tourers discover that registration is open. Event partners such as The North Face spoil the participants with numerous draws, drinks and dance music. The dinner is all-you-can-eat, with an alpine-inspired menu of fondues and good wines. After this hearty meal, a shuttle takes participants back to the South Side, happily concluding a well-organized evening of enjoyment.

Kindly guides

As night falls, the departures occur in small groups, each one led by two certified guides and some enthusiastic companions. Mario Gingras, head guide for the 2023 event, recruits guides trained in wilderness and remote first aid and in adventure tourism to ensure a safe framework. When he guides, Mario likes to add pauses to admire the view, regain strength and get discussions started. The volunteer companions selected by Tremblant contribute to having everything go smoothly thanks to their knowledge of the mountain and their touring experience.

According to Chantal Ruel, who guides regularly with the Chèvres de Montagne, a guide’s primary objective is the safety of the group. She pays particular attention to the specific needs of each person, and doesn’t hesitate to adapt the speed and check the equipment. Her secondary objective: to make sure it’s fun so that every participant wants to do it again!

Some excellent advice

Participants experiencing the Traversée Nocturne for the first time are invited to:

• Become familiar with the equipment before the event;
• Become informed so as to dress in multiple layers;
• Direct all their questions to the guides and the companions;
• Change their clothes in the warmth of the Manitou, open for the occasion;
• Bring a change of mittens for the descent;
• Wear their headlamp at heart level to see better in a storm;
• Take advantage of the boots delivery to be able to party comfortably.

Several opportunities to explore

February appears to give confidence to alpine touring event organizers looking for natural snow. While the Red Bull Raid on February 10 is for free-skiing enthusiasts, several clubs are organizing outings more adapted to beginners and intermediates.

At Ski Garceau, the Défi Alpine invites all those who enjoy ski touring to a fundraiser topped off by a festive evening on Saturday, February 17. On its Facebook page, Aventure Sans Fin offers several guided outings on Thursday evenings, with the goal of having participants discover off-trail zones at an affordable price. T

hose who prefer women-only outdoor activities will be happy to join the Chèvres de Montagne who guide stress-free excursions pretty much throughout Quebec, including Wednesday evenings at Mont-Avalanche and February 10 at Montagne-Noire. Fans who would like to perfect their alpine techniques and knowledge can follow technical training sessions with Laliberté Nord-Sud or Attitude Montagne, both based in the Laurentians.

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