BACKCOUNTRY SKIING AT MOUNT HEREFORD:
An epic backcountry experience!
Mount Hereford, 875 meters high, offers two skiable mountainsides for backcountry skiing: the Trois Dames mountainside and the Piments mountainside.
You can start your ascent from the Forêt Hereford hiking trails parking lot at 557 Chemin de Coaticook.
Fédération Québécoise de la Montagne et de l’Escalade (FQME)
In order to enjoy our backcountry, it is mandatory to be a member of the Fédération Québécoise de la Montagne et de l’Escalade (FQME).
FQME membership is available on a daily or annual basis. It gives you access to the Network’s sites and includes accident and disability insurance.
Versant des Trois Dames
Accessible from the summit of Mont Herford, the Trois Dames mountainside offers 250 meters of vertical drop for intermediate-expert skiers. The 360-degree view is splendid; on a clear day, you can see Mount Orford, Mount Sutton, Mount Megantic, Jay Peak and even Mount Washington. The Trois Dames mountainside can be accessed via the Neil-Tillotson trail, also used by snowshoers. The 6-kilometer ascent is one-way for skiers and takes about 1.5 hours.
Versant des Piments
The 200-meter-high Piments mountainside is accessible from the parking lot. You’ll reach the ski area after a 30-minute ascent. You can make the descent repeatedly using the ascent trail to the east of the ski area. The beauty of this mountainside lies in its width. In fact, you can ski at different inclines in a magnificent maple grove over 600 meters wide. There are two options for getting back to the parking lot: finish on the lower trail, or head back up to the ascent trail and glide back to the parking lot.
Want more? After descending the Trois Dames mountainside, you can reach the Piments area by following the access trail over a 3-kilometer plateau. A total descent of 450 vertical meters awaits you!
The descent starts are identified by several ribbons on the same tree. There are six descents (lines of cleared backcountry) on the Piments mountainside:
- Naga (Ghost peper)
- Habenero
- Tabasco (Piments Forts sign)
- Angry Popcorn
- Cayenne
- Paprika (Piments Doux sign)
It is also possible to ski between these lines, but the terrain will be less clear.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Ski Mont Hereford offers backcountry skiing in natural, undeveloped glades;
- No trail conditions are published for skiable areas;
- A “solid” snow cover of at least 50 cm is recommended;
- Despite a snow cover of 50 cm, some ground obstacles may be present. Ski with care!
- Websites such as windy.com can help you find out about snow cover in your area;
- Each user is responsible for analyzing the weather and planning his or her activity according to ability;
- Backcountry skiing involves many risks and is for experienced, independent skiers;
- Ski areas are remote, unpatrolled and cell phone reception is unreliable;
- Ski in groups of 3, with a satellite beacon, or notify someone close to you of your whereabouts.
