Clothing Lists

OUTFIT LIST FOR ALL SKI TRIPS

Read this list after you think you have packed everything

BACKPACK OR DUFFEL BAG: Where your gear is transported by snowmobile bring a sports bag, duffel bag or backpack to carry all your personal gear. Oversized sports bags or duffel bags that are only half filled are not acceptable. Please see note 2 below. For Mont Tremblant Park and the Uapashke or where you intend to carry all your gear on your back you need a properly fitted internal frame backpack in good repair with a capacity of about 50 – 60 litres (3,000 – 3,700 cu. in.) with room in it to carry some food and supplies and your pack could weigh as much as 25 kg (55 lbs). External frame packs are not acceptable.

DAYPACK: A small daypack is required where your overnight gear will be moved by snowmobile as in the Réserve Mastigouche, Papineau-Labelle, Traversée de Charlevoix, Ski-with-the-Cree, Chic-Chocs and Kenauk. It should be large enough to carry some extra clothing, lunch, repair kit, ski waxes and flashlight. In cold weather it should be large enough to carry your warm-up pants and a down parka. In warm weather it should carry your rain gear. Not needed in Mont Tremblant Park. Useful in the Uapashke. External frame packs are not acceptable.

SLEEPING BAG: For all trips except Ski-with-the-Cree and the Uapashke you will need a three-season bag rated for comfort to at least 0°C (32°F), it should be light and compact 1.4 - 3.2 kg (3-7 lbs). Synthetic bags of Polarguard or Hollofill are bulkier than bags filled with down. Down is lighter, more expensive, warmer and more compact. Whatever kind you have make sure it is in good condition, of good quality, long enough and warm enough and has its own stuff sack. In really cold weather on cabin-to-cabin trips you may want a bag rated to -10°C (14°F), but if you get cold in the night you can always put more wood in the stove. For the Ski-with-the-Cree and the Uapashke trips no heat is provided after bedtime so a winter sleeping bag rated to at least -30°C (-22°F) is the minimum requirement and we have a few such bags available for rent at CAN $100.00 (US $70.00) plus tax for each trip.

MATTRESS: A mattress is not required in Réserve Papineau-Labelle, Réserve Mastigouche, Kenauk or the Chic-Chocs. A mattress is required in Mont Tremblant Park, the Traversée de Charlevoix, the Uapashke and the Ski-with-the-Cree. A standard full length Thermarest packed in its own stuff sac, or a full length Airolite closed cell blue foam mattress rolled up and held with straps. Airolite is warm, reliable, lightweight, less expensive, but not as cushy. Open cell foam and air mattresses are not permitted. Both a full length Thermarest and a full length Airolite foam pad to put underneath it are required for the Ski-with-the-Cree and the Uapashke.

CHAIR: For the Ski-with-the-Cree and the Uapashke a Thermarest or Crazy Creek chair is very useful to improve comfort. Thermarest have a kit that fits over your Thermarest mattress and is light and space-saving. Not essential.

SLEEPWEAR: To each his/her own. For the Ski-with-the-Cree and the Uapashke you could want to sleep wearing your parka and warm-up pants even with a -30°C (-22°F) sleeping bag.

SKI BOOTS: A good pair of light cross-country ski boots. New ski boots or rentals must be broken in by wearing them for a few days before the trip. If they cause blisters, put in for a new pair. Heavy backcountry ski boots seem to cause a lot of blisters. Your ski boots are your most important item of gear.

SKI BOOT COVERS: Ski boot covers are strongly recommended for very cold and wet weather. They fit over your ski boot and contribute a great deal towards keeping your feet warm. An old pair of wool socks pulled over your ski boots with holes cut in them for your ski binding also work well in cold temperatures. Waterproof ones also help to keep your feet dry in warm or wet weather and slushy conditions. SKIS: For all our trips light touring skis are best. Backcountry and telemark skis are heavy and slow but acceptable. Very light racing skis for tracks are too fragile and are not permitted. Waxless skis work great in temperatures around the freezing point. Generally, waxable skis are a lot more fun. Your choice! Automatic clip-in ski bindings (ones that you release by pushing down with your ski pole) often freeze up and are not recommended. Steel edged skis are usually not necessary.

SKI POLES: Don't bring cheap easy-to-break poles. Telescoping poles are good in deep snow conditions often found in the Chic-Chocs, Traversée de Charlevoix and Uapashke, but are definitely not essential. I prefer strong, long poles with sharp points and small baskets even though they sink out-of-sight in deep snow conditions. They work exceptionally well on packed snow, ice, track set trails and snowmobile tracks.

SKI SKINS: In the Chic-Chocs, Traversée de Charlevoix and Uapashke ski skins for climbing and descending steep (sometimes icy) slopes may be useful, but are not essential. If you have them, bring them. They are seldom needed on other trips.

AFTER-SKI FOOTWEAR: For all trips except the Ski-with-the-Cree a pair of lightweight low-rise running shoes, slippers, or lined booties are recommended for the cabins. For the Ski-with-the-Cree a pair of heavily lined snowmobile boots is essential instead of the above while working outside, putting up a tepee or sitting outside by a fire. Most felt lined Sorel boots meet this requirement. SOCKS: 2 sets of warm socks (wool/nylon blend). Most trippers wear two layers of socks: Light inner ones and thicker outer ones. Your choice. Both Thorlo and Smartwool are among the best.

SWEATER: Patagonia synchilla pile, or Polartec 300 fleece, or wool sweater for cold mornings. You may want to sleep in it on very cold nights. Emergency wear in your daypack.

PARKA: Lightweight parka (a down lining is preferred) for emergency use on the trail (pack it in your day pack) and for visiting the outhouse. You may want to sleep in it in very cold weather. For the Ski-with-the-Cree and the Uapashke it should be rated for -35°C (-30°F).

UNLINED SKI PANTS: 1 pair lightweight nylon or nylon/cotton blend overpants or cross-country ski pants for skiing on all trips. They should cut the wind and be breathable. Blue jeans or Dungarees or anything made of pure cotton is not permitted. You will freeze to death while they are drying if they ever dry.

SWEATPANTS: For mornings and evenings and as emergency gear in your daypack in very cold weather. Sweat pants can be worn under your unlined breathable ski pants (above) in really cold weather. For cabin-to-cabin ski trips only.

LINED PANTS: A pair of lined overpants are needed for the Ski-with-the-Cree and Uapashke trips. These will provide warmth while working and during outdoor activities around the camp. They should be designed to put on without removing your boots.

RAIN GEAR: For all trips you must bring a lightweight rain jacket and rain pants to put over your ski jacket or sweater. We never know. Breathable Gore-tex is recommended.

GAITERS: Lightweight. They will keep the snow out of your boots. They should hook onto your bootlaces and have a strap or rope around the bottom of your boot at the instep. You may not need gaiters if your pants cover the top of your boots and your boots extend above the ankles. Recommended for all trips.

TUQUE, MITTENS AND BALACLAVA: A tuque or warm hat that provides good coverage of your ears in cold weather. 2 pairs of mittens in two layers (a fleece or wool liner and a nylon outer shell) are best. Gloves are not recommended. A balaclava (facial wind protection) is necessary for the Ski-with-the-Cree, Uapashke and other trips in cold weather.

UNDERWEAR: At least one change.

LONG UNDERWEAR: 1 pair of your choice. LIFA and ODLO polypropylene are popular. Lightweight or middleweight or what ever you are used to. Much depends on how much you sweat. Try not to sweat by taking clothes off. Turtle neck uppers are useful.. If you ski a lot you will know what is best for you.

STUFF SACS AND PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS: 3 - 4 nylon stuff sacs and garbage bags for organising your gear. You will likely need a few extra garbage bags on longer trips. Glad are the strongest. Your clothes, slippers, and sleeping bag go into 3 separate garbage bags, the air is squeezed out and a knot is tied in the top. This is quite waterproof. The garbage bags are placed in the stuff sacs, which prevent the garbage bags from being abraded or torn. The sacs go into your backpack or duffel bag. If you want us to show you how to pack your stuff just ask us. It does rain occasionally in winter and things get wet when transported by snowmobile.

CUP, BOWL, PLATE, KNIFE, FORK AND SPOON: Must be lightweight and unbreakable. Plastic, Lexan or Duraware are best. Put your initials on everything with an indelible felt marking pen. Not required on the Traversée de Charlevoix. For Mont Tremblant Park and the Uapashke a cup, bowl, spoon and pocketknife will suffice to keep the weight and volume down.

TOILET KIT: Deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste and small towel in a ziplock bag. Toilet paper in a ziplock bag.

PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT: Sunglasses. Small lightweight flashlight or headlamp. Chapstick. Facial cream (Vaseline) to prevent frostbite, Sunscreen, Blister first aid (Compeed, Moleskin and antibiotic cream). Space blanket. Chemical hand warmers (Hot Shots), Whistle. Pocketknife. Water bottle(s) and/or Thermos. Repair parts (extra bail for bindings, ski tip, epoxy resin, etc.). Pain killers, prescription drugs, etc. Water filter if you prefer to drink filtered water (not needed on the Traversée de Charlevoix). Due to a limited fuel supply it is not possible to boil all drinking water in Mont Tremblant Park or the Chic-Chocs.

SKI WAXES: Ski waxes and wax remover as required for waxable skis. Don't forget klister waxes. You must be prepared for sudden changes in temperature. We do not provide waxes nor wax remover but will provide advice and help with waxing if you ask for it.

SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS: Extra boot laces, playing cards, compact games, camera & film in a plastic bag. Shorts – yes, we do ski in shorts when the weather is favourable and wear them in the often-overheated cabins. A short-sleeved T-shirt for hot cabins and spring skiing. Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. Paperback book for reading on shorter ski days. Teddy bear?

FOR USE BEFORE AND AFTER THE TRIP: A change of clothes that you can leave in your car or our minibus so that you can change before the drive home. Sorry, no showers except at the end of the Chic-Chocs and Ski-with-the-Cree. For the Ski-with-the-Cree they should be packed in a plastic garbage bag inside a nylon stuff-sac.

NOTES:

Trips offered

Choose from one of the links below to find a trip in the category of your interest.

> Backpacking

> Canoeing

> Cross-country skiing

> Hiking with daypack

> Canoeing and hiking

Scheduled trips

To view a list of upcoming trips click on the season of your choice below.

> Spring

> Summer

> Autumn

> Winter

If the trip you are interested in is not listed in this year's calendar you can request a trip. We will design trips around the requirements and dates that you prefer.

Trips Locations
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