Owl's Head, QC: 02/09/10

[jamesdeluxe]

After yesterday's surprise dump, it went bluebird today and Owl's Head was a great place to cruise on near-perfect packed powder while being distracted by stunning views of 24-mile-long Lake Memphrémagog, with Jay Peak and Mont Orford off in the distance. It doesn't look like much from the trail map, but Owl Head's 1,780 feet of vertical were a lot more fun and varied than I had remembered from my one visit there six years ago. Of course, it helps when you're getting shown around by a bunch of people who really love the mountain's unpretentious we're-just-here-for-the-skiing vibe. If you're looking for anything other than that, you're in the wrong place. With the exception of some high-speed lifts, very little seems to have changed there since the 1980s. Since it was $15 Tuesday, a lot of locals were rocking long boards with dangerous-looking bindings.

For the most part, it's all about high-speed cruising there.

There are also a bunch of short, but fun glades scattered throughout the mountain.

Marketing Manager Ken Rourke-Frew told us about local legend Bob Richardson, who, in addition to laying out the trails for Owl's Head, Mont Glen, and Mont Echo in the Eastern Townships, also had a big hand in the design of Blackcomb in British Colombia. If I understood correctly, he's buried right behind that rock.

After lunch, they arranged something interesting for us, a 1.5-hour group lesson with James Carrier, a guy who's only been skiing ten years -- same length of time as me, only he's a whole lot better. Looking and sounding a lot like actor Dennis Hopper, James had a really cool way of giving feedback and inspiring us to finish our turns, quiet our upper bodies, use our poles correctly, and, in my case, stop moving my shoulders like I was in a boxing ring.

Another great day in the Townships. I'll finish up tomorrow with Orford.

 

[Patrick]

Great info for people looking for a combo-trip. Where is GPaul when you need him?

told us about local legend Bob Richardson, who, in addition to laying out the trails for Owl's Head, Mont Glen, and Mont Echo in the Eastern Townships, also had a big hand in the design of Blackcomb in British Colombia. If I understood correctly, he's buried right behind that rock.

I didn't know he was buried on the mountain. One correction about Bob, I believe he had a hand in the creation of Whistler, not Blackcomb. Whistler was started before they were looking into a mountain that could received the Winter Olympics, this was back in the 60s. The last time I skied Owl's Head was in fact to meet Bob Richardson and his wife at his condo at the bottom of OH in the Winter 2000. He's part of the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, competitor, ski instructor and builder.

http://www.skimuseum.ca

Robert Claude Richardson was born on 31 December 1927 in Magog, Quebec. He lived with his grandmother until her death in 1945 when he moved to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and joined the Herman Gadner Slalom School at Gray Rocks, St Jovite, Quebec. He came to skiing relatively late at the age of 15 in 1942 after becoming involved in cutting a trail with a group of friends at Mont Orford in the Eastern Townships, Quebec, the initiative of a Dr. Marston Adams, a local dentist, who lent Bob Richardson a pair of skis. A natural athlete, he quickly took to the sport and, in his own words, "...seriously taught myself to ski, practicing right and left turns until they felt right. I absolutely loved the sport".

Encouraged by Joseph Ryan, owner of Mont Tremblant, and ski school director, the legendary John Fripp, and others, Bob Richardson learned to race. Five years later in 1950 following a number of significant victories on the Canadian skiing circuit, he was selected to join the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) team...

More info in the Canadian Hall of Fame bio:
http://www.skimuseum.ca/bios/Richardson_Bob.pdf

Another great day in the Townships. I'll finish up tomorrow with Orford.

Looking forward to read your TR. Orford has the most challenging terrain in the Townships,

 

[rfarren]

James, it looks like you are taking some time for a nice little ec ski trip. Did you drive up or fly?

 

[Patrick]

James, it looks like you are taking some time for a nice little ec ski trip. Did you drive up or fly?

He is skiing today, but he definitely drove there.

Day 1: Jay
Day 2: Smuggs
Day 3: Sutton (and some Bromont?)
Day 4: Owl's Head
Day 5: Orford.

That is very close to what was suggested to GPaul on one of his many trips inquiries. :stir: Happy that someone was listening. :wink:

 

[Harvey]

Likin' that new camera James!

So far, this week, it looks like you got better snow north of the border.

One thing about driving ... while there is no doubt that James faces a huge challenge and a long day - he will get home. If he was flying he wouldn't. Only James can say whether or not getting "stranded" would be a plus in this case.

Maybe he can add a day, and swing by Bromley on the way home. 8)

 

[Tony Crocker]

That is very close to what was suggested to GPaul on one of his many trips inquiries.

Yes, except GPaul's proposed trip was in April. James is area-hopping for a week, makes sense to drive, even from MASH for that long. Could have been me in March 2003 if I had more time. NASJA had an organized pre-trip to the Townships before the Quebec City meeting. I had 3 days, listened to advice here and used them for Stowe, MRG and Jay.

 

[Anthony]

It is hard to imagine today but there was time in the 70's when Owl's Head had great wild runs down the face . As a HS kid in the late 70's our ski bus would go to this area and we would ski the run directly in front of the old lodge /hotel . There was a two person chair with swinging safety bars . At the time the trail ( also great side trails ) in front of the hotel was narrow and steep like Chute/Lifteline ( MRG). There was also another great run on skiers right from the top under the other chair which was also wild with ledges and rocks. The lake chair was always there for the mellow skiers. The old runs are all gone now , bulldozed out and graded . Hard to believe its been 30 years since those days . Still miss those original trails . You can hike up to the top of Owl's head above the lift and look south into VT which offers great views.

 

[Patrick]

That is very close to what was suggested to GPaul on one of his many trips inquiries.

Yes, except GPaul's proposed trip was in April..

[-X

Last week of March and first of April split between NoVT/Townships in March then he would have been in Quebec City for April. At least, that what I proposed.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2358

Coverage right now is pretty low and it hasn't snow much in the Great White North. The snow drought that started last February seem to continue in this part of the World. Ottawa normal snow accumulation is 235.7cm, in the last 12 months, we have received 49% of that, 116.6cm. So far this season, we are running at 60% and less snow than Washington I believe. Trails are open and there is snow on the lawn, but base is pretty low on my yard now. Ski areas have made some snow in the past few week (they normally stop around the Holidays) to make it to the end of March in case there is a big thaw.

Could have been me in March 2003 if I had more time. NASJA had an organized pre-trip to the Townships before the Quebec City meeting. I had 3 days, listened to advice here and used them for Stowe, MRG and Jay.

March 2003, where was I? :-k Oh yeah, mostly a lukker on FTO and skiing in the Alps. \/ I agree that Stowe-MRG-Jay isn't bad in getting a sense of the East.