Camp Fortune - March 8, 2024

This winter has been anything but ordinary. It started off promising with some decent snowfall, then a green Christmas, followed by some much needed snowstorms end of January/start of February. We are now nearly mid-March and the natural snow has been quite absent for many weeks. An unseasonably warm period has persisted for what seems like nearly a month's time. Looking at my own yard and that of the neighbors, the grass has been visible for quite some time, yet the skiing continues on the mountains.

I arrived at 9am at Camp Fortune and as you would expect there was a noticeable lack of snow everywhere but on the ski trails, where the snow coverage was perfect, full width and with no bare or icy spots to mention. If this year taught anything, is that the machine made snow was not a nicety but a necessity.

A quick look while riding the Pineault Quad up the mountain and the contrast from areas covered with natural snow to those with machine made snow could not have been more black and white.

Camp Fortune dazzled with their snowmaking this season in impressive ways. The mountain was able to open all of its trails, and for a short period, even some glades. With their skillful snowmaking and grooming teams hard at work, the results speak for themselves on a day like today. Perfect coverage, great snow, and the old famous adage of this time of year "The Grass is Greener at the Neighbors".

All the trails in the Valley were open, as was Skyline (with the notable exception of Swan Dive). Meech was closed, with a hopeful reopening on the weekend. It is the Quebec March Break yet the mountain was quite empty on this bluebird day. Too bad, those that didn't come out, missed out on some great skiing. Lift lines were direct ski-on all morning at all lifts. Everyone was in a chatty mood, marveling at the great skiing to be had.

The standout trails today for ski surface and conditions were without a doubt Slalom and Clifford. The grooming was perfect, nice and firm base that somehow did not ski out with the passage of skiers.

Saturday morning should present some great conditions again before the weather changes in the afternoon. The big question now is, how much rain will come (and seemingly a slight chance of snow?)... Regardless, Camp Fortune is well positioned to weather the storm. The trails are in excellent shape, and hopefully the poor weather will have a limited effect on the trails. Of course, if you are not the gambling type, best to get out tomorrow morning... because it really is great spring skiing.

Be sure to check out the new Bar/Pub in the chalet (I took my pics before it opened for the day but looks like quite a nice spot to relax).