January 18 - 24, 2009
Although the Cree won't likely be skiing, they will provide all the support on this trip. Besides the Station Inn in Cochrane on our way to and from Cree country, we will be staying at a base camp in wood stove heated framed prospector tents on the shore of Negobau Lake south west of Moose Factory, Ontario. There will also be a tipi where you can sleep on spruce boughs. Some may also want to build a quinchee or snow hut to sleep in or sleep out under the stars to see the northern lights. Food will be both traditional Cree and regular white man. Expect any of goose, rabbit, beaver, otter, caribou, moose, lake trout, sturgeon or graying with bannock bread. Not a great place for vegetarians.
The trail is packed by snowmobile (parts may be track set) and is partly through woods and across muskeg, and partly on the Moose and other rivers. We will ski no more than 28 km (18 miles) per day with day packs for 5 days in Cree wilderness. The Cree will spend time explaining their history, culture, traditions, hunting and fishing methods, and will also transport our gear (maximum 18 kg or 40 lbs per person) so we only have to carry day packs on the trail with our down parkas, over pants, ski waxes and lunch.
The skiing is on relatively easy, mostly flat terrain, the distances not overly long, and the interaction with the fun-loving Cree is tops. The daytime temperature should be around -5°C to -20°C (23°F to -8°F) while at night it could go down to -35°C (-28°F) or lower (Keep the stoves going!). This is a real cultural/cross-country ski experience that you will remember for a long time. Philip Sutherland, our Cree cook, Clarence Trapper and their families will entertain us in the evenings with stories, legends, traditions, history and culture. They are a real fun people to be with. Everyone will enjoy the cultural exchange.
For those who opt to travel with us from Ste-Agathe-des-Monts we will stop for a couple of hours of skiing on some beautiful track set trails at the Val d'Or Ski Club on day 1. The trip also includes rides on the Polar Bear Express train from Cochrane to Moose Factory and return. We will spend the last day skiing to the Moose Factory Eco lodge where we will have a shower and a special luncheon and then visit the Cree Cultural Interpretive Center. Time permitting we may take a short, but inspiring, tour of the second oldest community in Ontario, Moose Factory.
You will need light touring skis, boots and bindings. You will also need an arctic parka and sleeping bag rated for temperatures to at least -30°C (-22°F) or colder. A complete list of clothing and equipment will be furnished. Skiers should be in good physical condition and have some winter camping experience. For those who want to arrive the night before trip departure and/or stay overnight after the trip we have limited bed and breakfast accommodation in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts for CAD $35.00 per person per night.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All trips are payable in Canadian dollars. The U.S. price is approximate only and will depend on the exchange rate.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Quebec
Outdoor: Mountain Ranger
Skiing & Snowboarding
Cultural Journey
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