Jasmine takes her friends to explore Mount Adstock for a weekend

Mount Adstock is certainly one of my favourite mountains in Quebec. With its 712-meter summit and 335-meter vertical drop (its shape is reminiscent of a volcano!), it’s sure to impress any skier or snowboarder. I was lucky enough to spend a weekend staying on the mountainside, introducing my friends to this little hidden treasure.

A breathtaking view

In summer and winter alike, what I appreciate most about Mont Adstock (link in french) is the 360° view of the region’s three iconic lakes: Lac à la truite, Lac du huit and the impressive Grand Lac Saint-François. When we get on the chairlift, I always turn my head to admire them. And the view is even more incredible from the top of the mountain!

An off-piste sector for reckless

Ever since I put my skis on this mountain at the age of 7, I’ve dreamt of the day when other parts of the mountain would be developed. Because if you’re looking for adrenalin, you’ll certainly find it at Mont Adstock. For me, what sets the mountain apart are the pitches on certain runs like the Bossue or the Géante, which blow me away every time.

For a few years now, I’ve been finding the same adrenalin in off-piste skiing, but there are very few mountains that offer unworked terrain for ski touring enthusiasts. This is the case at Mont Adstock, which has a sector accessible only by skins. Both climbs are quite challenging, but the descent is well worth the effort. And the mixed forest interspersed with conifers is well worth a visit, it’s simply sublime.

A night under the stars

We were lucky enough to sleep in the Mont Adstock Coolboxes (link in french), which are literally on the slopes. There were five of us in this little chalet and we were super comfortable, not cramped at all. It was the perfect place to have an aperitif at sunset while watching the skiers hurtling down the slopes through the window. It was also great for being first on the slopes and enjoying the corduroy in the early morning when the chairlifts opened.

What amazed us most was the number of stars in the sky. It’s rare to feel so much a part of nature, just a few meters from the chalet.

The warmth of Mont Adstock

But for me, what is most symbolic of the mountains is the warmth of the staff. Whether it’s the Mexican chef who came to our table to present his menu, the person in charge of the chairlifts or the canteen staff, everyone welcomes us and talks to us with a smile.

It makes me proud of my little corner of the world, and to have had the chance to share this warmth with my Montreal friends is worth all the gold in the world.

Photos : Jean Balthazar