A ramble on snowy trails on a snowy day - romantic visions of a bygone era of skiing. My intent was to use trackset trails from P17 for commuting to #56 and then enjoy bygone era skiing to get to the lookout on top of #56 and, possibly telemark back down. Well - Demsis delivered the bygone era right to the threshold of P17 so that for most of the day I was skiing skier-trackset trails. I gave up on #56 due to time - my route was: P17 => #53 => #51 => #50 => #55 => Lac Renaud => #55 => #50 => #52 => P17. No tracksetting was apparent on #51, #53 , & #52 ; but, rather, the tracks were skier packed from the previous tracksetting with 5 - 10 cm of new snow. #55 was listed as having been done before 8:00 AM today - it appeared to be in the same state as #51. #50 was also listed as “before 8:00 AM today”: one side had been recently trackset with one classic track and 3/4 of a skating track ; the other side was “bygone era” - I left #50 at 1:00 PM and had not yet seen any tracksetter doing the other side. I met two skaters on #50 who weren’t having any trouble; however, they were young, fit, and quite proficient in their technique. Another skater who was less proficient was having trouble and had to stop for oxygen breaks.

I had a pleasant day but it was different and slower experience than I had anticipated. Rather than being a snarly vieux bonhomme I should be flexible and adapt and enjoy what comes my way. #51, #52, & #53 are always beautiful trails to do regardless of the snow conditions. It is possible, however, that I have lost my faith in Demsis.

#51, #52, & #53 are primary trails - the requirements Section 5.3 Annex 1 stipulate that without new snow primary trails are to be renovated, groomed, and trackset twice during the week and on Saturday& Sunday mornings. With an accumulation of 5 cm the primary trails are to be done within 12 elapsed hours.