Winter House, Laurentians

The Montreal Section Ski House is reinventing itself as the “Winter House”. Although the house has been predominantly used in the past as a base for cross country and telemark skiers we intend to become more inclusive by changing the name to reflect the house’s use as a base for skiing as well as ice climbing and snowshoeing.

As for the last years we will continue to hold Saturday night dinners, which serve the dual purpose of getting everyone together for a group meal and raises a few dollars to pay the bills. We will also continue to send out email alerts each Thursday detailing the current snow and trail conditions and a weather forecast for the weekend. We also hope to include ice conditions as well. Generally, there is much more snow up North, so don’t be put off by bare streets in Montreal.

There is plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities in the neighborhood of the house. Groomed ski trails are literally out the door and there are many backcountry ski trails in close vicinity. Telemark trails and abandoned ski hills are close by at Ste-Adele and Val David. Ice climbing sites are plentiful as well. During January-March there are ski trips planned for most weekends and if there’s not there is sure to be an ad-hoc group leaving the house on Sunday morning.

We have kept the house we rented for the last 5 seasons which contains six bedrooms and plenty of floor space for the foamies provided. There is plenty of room for cooking and the two floors allow some solitude for those who desire it. The basement/laundry (the third floor) is ideal for waxing skis etc. The house is a five-minute walk to the grocery store, movie theatre, and the SAQ.

Ski Trails: The Municipality of Ste Adele offers a network of free well-maintained and groomed cross country ski trails. The trailhead is a 5 min walk from the house. A trail leading to Le petit train du nord is 200 m away at the end of the road by the small downhill ski area.

Custodians: We will have a host/custodian each high season weekend. This person will spend Friday and Saturday nights at the house. They welcome people, collect the fees, act as a general resource person and organize a final clean-up on Sunday afternoon. The person is not expected to remain at the house during the day, just to be there early mornings and evenings. The host/custodian will be rewarded by free accommodation (or if you have a pass, a free meal). Volunteers can contact the ski house commettee skihouse@accmontreal.ca

Saturday night meals: Again, we will organize group meals on Saturday night. The meals are organized to avoid a potential crush of people cooking their own food at dinner time. If you do not want to partake in the meal, your meal should be prepared either before or after the group meal. Meal prices are generally $12 to 15$ per person. This is a great deal, but you should be prepared to help out in the preparation in some small way.

Last year there were some times when the house felt rather full. On those mid-winter Saturday nights it is in everyone’s interest that the sleeping spaces be as optimized as possible. The custodian will be overseeing this to make sure everyone gets a good night’s rest. If anyone is bringing a large group (4 or more people) they must contact the Winter house reservations member at least 5 days in advance at skihousereservations@accmontreal.ca. The address is a misnomer as there are no reservations, but it allows the Custodian some forewarning of what to expect that particular weekend.

The address is 1261 Emile Cauchand, Ste-Adele. From Montreal take the Laurentian Autoroute (hwy 15) north to exit 67 (Ste-Adele) and continue north on hwy 117. Immediately after the Banque Nationale turn left on Morin St. Follow Morin St. for 300 meters and turn right on rue Emile Cauchand and continue for 200 meters. The house is on your right, set back from the street.

By bus

Take the bus at the Terminus Voyageur (Berri-UQAM) to Ste Adele. At the stop in Ste Adele walk north toward the IGA for 20 m and turn left at Henri-Dumond and go up the hill for about 150m until reaching the second intersection at Emile-Cauchand. Turn right and go about 30 m to the house at 1261.

The ski house will normally be locked, especially if you arrive early Friday or arrive during the week. Before your first trip to the ski house this year be sure to call any member of the ski house committee for information on the key system.

• What do I need to bring?
  Sleeping bag. Pillow. Food (see food faq below)
• Do I need to bring food?
  Group meals are usually provided on Saturday nights. See Saturday night meals for more info. Basic breakfast supplies (bread, oatmeal, milk, jam, tea, coffee) and beer are available for a small fee (honor system). You're on your own for lunches.
• Can I make a reservation?
  In general the answer is no. Only if you are a group of 5 or more are you required to make a reservation (see contacts). The ski house operates on a first come first served basis on the weekend and during holidays. However if you would like to bring a group to the ski house during the week we can make special arrangements (for example reserving beds).
• Will there be enough space?
  Yes. We never turn anyone away. There are enough beds for 22 people. There are foamies and plenty of floor space for overflow. On very busy weekends it would be wise to bring a sleeping pad just in case all foamies are used.
• Will I have my own room?
  Maybe. The ski house is an informal and communal facility. There are no private rooms. It is possible that you could have your own room but there is no guarantee.
• How do I pay the house fees?
  Please sign the register. The fees are indicated on the front of the register and are posted near the front door. Usually there will be a member of the ski house committee present - please pay that person. Otherwise leave your fees in the coffee can in the living room.
• Is the ski house a cabin like at Keene?
  The ski house is a real house like a cottage, not like Keene. There are washroom facilities, electric heating, a fridge, running water, etc.

• please REGISTER with the custodian and/or sign the logbook. Please volunteer payment and otherwise facilitate the volunteer custodian's job.
• REMOVE boots upon entering the house
• KEEP your things together and clean up after yourself.
• REMEMBER the house belongs to all of us. Treat it as you would your own home.
• ALL users of the house are expected to participate in keeping the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas clean and tidy. Participants of group meal are to assist with the food preparation/cleanup.
• RESPECT other members.
• THERMOSTAT should be kept at 15° maximum when house is occupied and not more as the upstairs gets too warm. Temperature should be lowered when the house is vacant.
• QUIET TIME and lights out between 11:00pm and 7:00am.
• NO SMOKING in the house or anywhere on the property.
• GARBAGE should be bagged and tied and placed in box at street. Pickup is Monday a.m.
• RECYCLING should be placed in blue bin which is put curbside on the last Friday night of every month. Pickup is the last Saturday of every month.
• TAKE all perishable food with you when you leave.(If left it usually rots in the fridge!!!!!!). .
• REPORT any damages, complaints or suggestions to the custodian or contact a member of the ski house committee.
• LEAVE the house in better condition than you found it.
• WAX and store your skis in the basement laundry room, furnace room or outside.
• SATURDAY's ski house supper has exclusive use of kitchen and during meal preparation and cleanup.

The side of the street opposite from the House is available for parking Friday and Saturday night. During the holiday period starting the 23rd of December 2004 and ending the 6th of January 2005 you may park there all of the week. Do not obstruct driveways and walkways. There is also parking available all of the week all of the year at the 40 / 80 Ski Hill Cafeteria Building down at the end of the street. Do not park there during a snowstorm to allow snow removal.