Conditions Report
Report for Sunday, March 15, 2026
This past week was a blur. Life gets like that. My oldest is wrapping up her second year of film school, while my youngest is navigating the high school finish line while anxiously waiting for art school acceptances. It’s been hectic. The weather here followed suit: a sporadic mix of warm snaps, rain, and an ice storm that shut the city down, a day too soon. But then the weekend arrived. Beira—the Celtic goddess of winter and, fittingly, the name of our new kitten—blessed Southern Quebec with five inches of fresh powder. By Friday, I was spent. I was also desperate to ride.
Sunday was the window: fresh snow Saturday night, cold temps to keep the roads dry for the commute from Brossard, and rising mercury just ahead of the rain forecast for the evening. I’d originally weighed the trek to Owl’s Head, another Eastern Townships gem. I haven’t made it there yet this season, but I want to say that for a clear sky day when I can truly soak in the view of Jay Peak across Lake Memphremagog. Ultimately, time made the call for me. The drive south on the 10, 97.7 FM on the dial, to exit 68 was stress-free. Pulling off in Granby is not the most efficient route, but I am allergic to the 10. As I pulled into Sutton around 9:00 AM, the clouds parted for a moment of full, brilliant sun. That pure shot of vitamin D was all the motivation I needed.
I wanted to maximize laps. I’m a creature of habit and tend to save the hero stuff for when I ride with Véronique. Today was a meditation. With three decades of riding under my belt, the need to look ‘correct’ has evaporated, replaced by a certain freedom. Shielded by my favorite tunes and a full charge on my phone and Cardo, I spent the morning practicing switch riding and butters on the gentler terrain; mindful play. I found soft snow, short lines, and terrain that rewarded intention.
The morning also offered a reality check. I was riding the chair with a senior member of the ski patrol who tried to recruit me. “You should consider joining,” he said, “you ski for free.” I told him I have massive admiration for what they do, but I’ll stick to writing stories. We had a laugh. Mid-sentence, his attention shifted. Someone had fallen in the sous-bois, and before we even reached the off-load, he was coordinated and ready to manage the rescue. It was a sharp reminder of the work happening while the rest of us are playing.
I didn’t take a single break. That’s another unspoken rule of solo days I think, maximize time, or ‘in and out, no one get’s hurt.’ I rode straight through until I walked back to the parking lot, satiated. The transition to spring was already visible; I passed a dad setting up an impressive tailgate for his kids, the smell of the grill starting to replace the scent of the frozen evergreen.
As we move through March into April, the vibe shifts. We’re heading into the season of long, sunny afternoons and softening snow. Sutton has the Défi Skions Ensemble on March 21, and the legendary Snow on the Beach pond skimming coming up on April 4. Spring season is just getting started in southern Quebec, and I’m here for it. Just spoke to Véro. We’re are hitting Owl’s Head this weekend. Snow is falling and its forecasted in the Townships through to Sunday.
À bientot.
Mont Sutton Trail Map
Environment Canada Forecast
Current Conditions
