Kaaikop, february 13th 2017
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 11:06 pm
I hesitated a long time, ok maybe not that long, but I hesitated anyway before I wrote these lines. Everyone or almost who is at the slightest fact and gestures off-piste skiing knows Kaaikop. This massive mountain, the third highest peak in the Laurentians with a summit at 830 meters above sea level, has an impressive drop of about 400 meters. Covered mainly with hardwoods, the skiing potential of this mountain is impressive. When I went to Ski the Reserve last Saturday, I was stopped by for the first time at the "base de plein air l'Interval" to inform me about the practice of off-piste skiing on the mountain. I was pleasantly surprised that this practice was known and legal on this mountain. For the modest amount of $10, you have access to all of the cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails and the sparse slopes of this majestic mountain. After a few minutes of exchange with the lady at the reception, I had enough information to give it a try.
I know that in writing this text I will probably make a few enemies who will accuse me of having unveiled a place kept secret by most of the locals. On the other hand, many will probably be delighted to discover a new place to practice their favorite sport. From my side here is how I see things. The cooperative that keeps the place tries as best they can to maintain the place with 10$ access fees ... It is a very large territory to maintain and the relative expenses to ensure the perenniality of such a place must be expensive. A little help to make the place known could surely not harm them.I'm really into off-piste skiing, and I find that the number of places to practice it legally in Quebec, especially near Montreal too restricted. Don't get me wrong, I like powder skiing and I like to ski a place several days after a storm and have something to shred. After my visit today, I am not too worried about Kaaikop ... With the all of the territory and the skiable potential of the mountain the ski lines are practically endless. Skiers with a certain level of skill can go down practically without any special arrangements.
According to the gossips, some areas have been developed in the past. We looked at these areas in vain. Being the first visitors following the Sunday night storm, there was no trace to guide us. The mountain is full of snow, the summit has an impressive base of 1m60 without forcing. Softwoods are rather rare and are found only at the top. The steepness of the area we attacked varies from medium to low. Some sections require a bit of cross-country skiing to allow us to link turns. Being on my telemark, it is a lesser evil; My friends in splitboard might have liked less. All in all, this is my nicest ski day north of the St. Lawrence river this year. The kingdom of Kaaikop makes me think strangely, both in elevation and type of forest to what is found in the Eastern Townships.
Here the video of the day:
I know that in writing this text I will probably make a few enemies who will accuse me of having unveiled a place kept secret by most of the locals. On the other hand, many will probably be delighted to discover a new place to practice their favorite sport. From my side here is how I see things. The cooperative that keeps the place tries as best they can to maintain the place with 10$ access fees ... It is a very large territory to maintain and the relative expenses to ensure the perenniality of such a place must be expensive. A little help to make the place known could surely not harm them.I'm really into off-piste skiing, and I find that the number of places to practice it legally in Quebec, especially near Montreal too restricted. Don't get me wrong, I like powder skiing and I like to ski a place several days after a storm and have something to shred. After my visit today, I am not too worried about Kaaikop ... With the all of the territory and the skiable potential of the mountain the ski lines are practically endless. Skiers with a certain level of skill can go down practically without any special arrangements.
According to the gossips, some areas have been developed in the past. We looked at these areas in vain. Being the first visitors following the Sunday night storm, there was no trace to guide us. The mountain is full of snow, the summit has an impressive base of 1m60 without forcing. Softwoods are rather rare and are found only at the top. The steepness of the area we attacked varies from medium to low. Some sections require a bit of cross-country skiing to allow us to link turns. Being on my telemark, it is a lesser evil; My friends in splitboard might have liked less. All in all, this is my nicest ski day north of the St. Lawrence river this year. The kingdom of Kaaikop makes me think strangely, both in elevation and type of forest to what is found in the Eastern Townships.
Here the video of the day:
