TR: Chic Choc full of fun

Had an exceptional week at the Madeline Mines Hut with the Canadian mags MTLRipper and The Rudeness, as well as some non mag buddies. If you don't know, this spot is on the far eastern portion of the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec and holds radical terrain. We nailed the weather luckily which is tough when you have to book a year in advance. A string of stable cold snow blue bird days, followed by a few days of storm skiing. Couldn't be more stoked on what we are able to get done while leaving plenty for future trips, its booked again for next year.

First day was a 15km skin in to the hut
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But we managed a few laps in the bowls right out the back door
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Always amazed how relaxed the summit dwelling caribou are up there around people
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Checking some of the terrain fore next few days
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Next day the Vermont crew set out to hit a face we had been eyeing on the way in
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Met back up with the canadians for some afternoon laps that didn't disappoint
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After a night of enjoying several different craft kegs that the canadians brought in we set out to put some tracks in this zone

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Long climb for an zesty ski
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The top was interesting conditions
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Dropping in
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Played some mini golf
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Then got into a nice protected area in the same zone
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Snows came in and powder frenzy popped, we all split up and got after it for a couple days in this zone
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Last night of hut life, kicking the kegs and having an igloo party and catching an awesome glow

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There was a full igloo too thanks to the canucky crew, these canadians put the Americans to bed every night. And still got up and slayed it every day
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Fresh snow overnight so we finished it off with a few laps in back door bowls before the slog back out.
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Kick ass trip, thanks to the Rudeness for putting it all together :you rock: Cant wait until the next time.

Je ne sais pas que Quebec avait les montagnes. I didn't know Quebec had mountains like that, radical indeed. Love the photos, esp the action shots and the alpenglow photo. Looks like there could be some good ice climbing up there as well. Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

Also, didn't you blow your knee out few years back? Looks like you recovered nicely?? GJDM!

That was one of the most enjoyable TRs of the season. Well done!

Sick TR! Great photos.

This makes the powder article from last year look like a 4 at best. For such a low snow year on the EC the cold air really did the trick. Wish every year could as consistently soft and amazing even with the lack of deep days. Thanks for the reminder to get back up that way sometime.

I approve this trip report.

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Originally Posted by thin cover

Always amazed how relaxed the summit dwelling caribou are up there around people
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whoa. wasn't aware those are a real thing you can meet skiing!

great TR!

Nice report TC - you certainly have a nose for good conditions.

Nice work fellas! Really gotta get my ass out there ASAP.

Incredible photos - the mines is the real deal and hut life looks pretty effing sweet! Nicely done!

The sickness!!

FKNA dude..... SICK!!!!!!! I will come some year..

awesome pics as always TC! glad you guys made it. I'll try to contribute some pics here soon!

Wow. Jealous. Great pics. A trip like that can make a whole year.

Way to bring it again TC. Great photos, spicey lines, very cool locale. Cheers buddy!

Giddee up!

Sick TR!! but I can only see half of it. Lots of dead links :(

beauty! digging the chic choc stoke. thanks for that

Fantastic ski photojournalism as always. Look at all that blue, blue sky. Been in to the mines twice in February and it has delivered each time. Lots going on up in them thar hills.

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Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA

Sick TR!! but I can only see half of it. Lots of dead links :(

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Same here, bummer. The rest looked pretty rad!

Great sounding trip, TC!

Thanks All! And I think I fixed the link issue.

So sick!

... loks like you had a great trip....aweseom TR as usual

Well done men

Rad TR way to bring some ice coast stoke! Nice 'bou shots

Eh, too steep and not all tracked out ;).

Can't believe the blue sky in those shots. Terrain looks awesome.

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...Cant wait until the next time.

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Mines has that effect. Looks like your only regret was leaving.

Looking forward to the day when I can get my family up, maybe see the grandkids shredding Petite Mont Ste Anne.

Very cool. I been saying all year that with the low snowpack in BC, I should take a ski trip East. I was joking but I'm not sure I am anymore.

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Originally Posted by robrox

Mines has that effect. Looks like your only regret was leaving.

Looking forward to the day when I can get my family up, maybe see the grandkids shredding Petite Mont Ste Anne.

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Plan is to bring them up there this summer., my wife hears me talk about it enough. Last time I was in the mines it was snowing too hard to ski anything interesting so this was sweet.

looks like a heck of a time! thumbs up!

Impressive stuff! Thanks for sharing the stoke!

Awesome Stoke!!

Great photos as usual TC. Was a really fun trip, and extended multinational crew vibe was very cool, can't wait til next year!

Was the cat ski operation in evidence while you were there? I am wondering how sharing the area with motorized transport will change things.

very nice

The cat ski has been around for a while. On the weekends they can deliver a couple of groups up there. The two times I have been there, the groups seem to stick to the terrain near the hut, but staying in the hut gives you both before and after for the close stuff and you can wander further afield to avoid the groups if you choose.

So awesome

Awesome pics and TR

This looks like a blast.