Probabilities

The probability that every major snow storm would gently sidle past us this winter seemed unlikely. Yet, as we moved into March, it seemed like that would be the case this year as we’ve had only small dustings of snow. Quite a few small dustings leaving enough to ski mind you, but never big “whomping” gobs of snow. Sadly, Monday had an ugly forecast – to a skier – with a storm moving inexorably towards us with +13C and rain called for. I was seriously beginning to wonder if the season was coming to an early close, but as Monday drew nearer the forecast started to change. A little cooler, maybe some freezing rain instead of rain (not much better)… and then a little cooler still. Late Sunday night Bryan dropped me a text knowing I was off and suggested we do “something” on Monday. "What?" I asked. "Dunno, what’s the weather gonna be like". We held off till Monday morning and – with rain at his house in Barrhaven we weren’t sure what to make of it. Take a shot? Why not, the probability that it rains all day should be slim. His kids were off for a “snow day” – which seemed odd since it was raining - but he left them at home as we had no idea what we were up against. No point the whole family should “perish” in this outing ;) Skis? Bring ‘em. Snowshoes? Put ‘em in the car. Canoe… could be useful. Raingear…without a doubt!


Healey Hut before the storm

Healey Hut during the storm
But then the odds started to play into my favour. As I crossed the river in town the rain turned to snow…then a lot of snow… then whacks of snow. Series of texts with Bryan (how does he do that while driving? What’s that – he does it at the red lights? Hmmm…) and we met up at P15 to snowshoe up to Healey hut. I had skied by the hut the day before but the snowshoe trail is quite different so it should be good. Wedged the cars in a snowbank in the unplowed parking lot, strapped on the “shoes” and in a raging snowstorm pushed across the fields for the tree line. The hike up to Healey hut was slow going in deep unbroken snow but once inside the hut we got a good fire going. Relaxed over lunch, watched the snow pound down outside and counted dozens (and dozens) of Blue Jays at the feeder – a real fight for the food outside! - and then strolled back to the cars as the snow let up. Twenty cms of snow in all. A good storm. But then again, Bryan – a StatsCan employee (poster boy for the division if I believe the newspaper pictures ;) - should have been able to tell me the probability was good that a big storm would hit us before March arrived.


Bryan breaking out of the bush as the snowstorm rages
Tuesday I took the wide boards up to P7 and skied the backcountry trails in the fresh powder. Storm clouds had moved on leaving bluebird skies and a blanket of white behind. Didn’t get an early enough start and most of the trails had already been broken out but there was still some fresh snow to be had here and there… and even the “slightly used” snow was still a treat. Skied some of the classic trails and took a few of the big drops in very forgiving snow. The focus of the day was to return on the “Highland Fling” – a classic trail with a couple of monster drops. While it may not seem like a Ukrainian boy should know anything about the Highland Fling… after too many years to count…I’m finally getting the hang of it and no longer is it a desperate, “hang on for dear life”, blast down a sinewy chute. The trail builders of years past knew what they were doing and finally some of that is becoming apparent to me. Where was the “Yoda” of the wide boards when I needed him. Ah well, think I’ve got it figured now. It only took a few hundred tries. The probability was good I’d get it eventually.

Fresh snow in the quiet woods