Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • Mountain Lifer
  • On The Trail
  • Skiing

Roots and Skis on the Matawinie Trail

  • January 6, 2022
  • Mountain Life Media
Total
16
Shares
16
0
0
0
0
0
Total
16
Shares
Share 16
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

For French-language text, click here or scroll down. Words :: Sophie Lachance // photos :: Annie-Claude Roberge.

From Patagonia’s snowy slopes to Russia’s polar regions, photographer, director and producer Annie-Claude Roberge has had her share of extreme moments over the past 20 years. Sixty countries later, the adventure-fuelled woman took advantage of the pandemic to go with the flow and stay where her passion for the outdoors was born: the woods of the Lanaudière region. 

Roots and Skis on the Matawinie Trail riverbank Annie Claude Roberge
« En pleine nature, je me sens libre de suivre mon instinct, libre d’être qui je suis, sans concession. » / “In the wilderness, I feel free to follow my instincts, free to be who I am without compromising.” Photo: ANNIE-CLAUDE ROBERGE

On the Matawinie Trail, a section of the National Trail in Quebec (SNQ), Annie-Claude’s touring skis glided over the snow for 100 kilometres over five days last winter. Elevation changes of 400 to 600 metres and 180-degree views marked her journey, which she shared with her ultramarathoner friend Hélène Dumais. “Such a wild, remote place near Montreal is rare,” says the filmmaker.

Although the section in the foothills stretching over some 30 kilometres was hard, she wasn’t at all in the mindset of taking on a massive challenge, conquering a summit or beating a record. The goal was simply to peacefully reconnect with the wilds where she had grown up. 

Roots and Skis on the Matawinie Trail cabin Annie Claude Roberge

“The outdoors isn’t just about big challenges. It’s also about being in harmony with nature and respecting it.” 

The way she thinks about nature evolved after the return to her roots. In the rocks’ contours, the snow-covered treetops and the shaggy mosses spreading all over tree trunks, the small suddenly became bigger. It’s one thing to experience the often imposing, boundless wilderness found elsewhere. Experiencing nature in a familiar area is another. 

“Yes, I get out into the great outdoors when I travel. Except that here, it taught me to live slowly, day by day, in harmony with the elements that forged me. That made me the person I am today.”

Roots and Skis on the Matawinie Trail frozen lake Annie Claude Roberge

In little things experienced during that humble expedition on the Matawinie Trail, the woman from Lanaudière found her treasure. With her teammate, everything was a pretext to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. “I had just as much fun, if not more than in Alaska because I was with someone who made fetching water from a creek exciting,” she says. 

Because she still enjoys exploring her backyard, Annie-Claude will once again pack her backpack by spring to pursue a movie project in northern Quebec. Yes, she’ll be travelling, but she’ll be travelling better from now on. “I don’t want to go just anywhere and emit carbon by flying anymore. I want to do what is meaningful for me.”  

Vie en montagne Winter/Spring ’22 Issue Out Now

Des racines et des skis sur le sentier de la Matawinie

Des flancs enneigés de la Patagonie au froid polaire de la Russie, la photographe, réalisatrice et productrice Annie-Claude Roberge en a vécu des moments « extrêmes » ces vingt dernières années. Soixante pays plus tard, celle qui carbure à l’aventure a profité de la pandémie pour suivre le vent et s’arrêter là où sa passion pour le plein air est née : dans la forêt lanaudoise. 

C’est sur un tronçon du Sentier national au Québec (SNQ) – le sentier de la Matawinie – que les skis de randonnée d’Annie-Claude ont frôlé la neige sur une centaine de kilomètres, cinq jours durant, l’hiver dernier. Des dénivelés de 400 à 600 mètres et des points de vue sur 180 degrés ont ponctué le périple, partagé avec son amie l’ultramarathonienne Hélène Dumais. « Un lieu aussi sauvage et reculé près de Montréal, c’est rare », confie la cinéaste.

Roots and Skis on the Matawinie Trail river trees Annie Claude Roberge

Bien que la section des contreforts, s’étalant sur une trentaine de kilomètres, lui ait donné du fil à retordre, loin d’elle était l’idée de relever un défi titanesque, de conquérir un quelconque sommet ou de battre un record. L’objectif était plutôt de reconnecter avec la nature qui l’avait vue grandir, tranquillement, simplement. 

« Le plein air, ce n’est pas juste de gros défis. C’est aussi être en cohésion avec la nature et la respecter. » 

Une nature dont la conception a évolué dans l’esprit d’Annie-Claude, à la suite de ce retour aux sources. Relief des rochers, cimes des arbres enneigés, mousses prolifiques s’étalant de tout leur long sur les troncs : l’infiniment petit a soudainement pris de l’ampleur. Vivre la nature de l’ailleurs, souvent « imposante et démesurée », est une chose. Vivre celle d’un territoire familier en est une autre. 

« Faire du plein air, partir en expédition, en rando, ce n’est pas juste une question de lieu : ce sont les gens avec qui tu es, et la bulle que tu crées avec ces personnes-là, qui importent ! »

« Oui, je côtoie la grande nature quand je voyage. Sauf qu’ici, elle m’a réappris à vivre lentement, au jour le jour, en harmonie avec les éléments qui m’ont forgée. Qui m’ont permis d’être l’être humain que je suis aujourd’hui. »

Roots and Skis on the Matawinie Trail map Annie Claude Roberge

C’est donc dans les petites choses de cette humble expédition sur le sentier de la Matawinie que la Lanaudoise a trouvé son trésor. Avec sa coéquipière, toutes les raisons étaient bonnes pour rendre le banal extraordinaire. « J’ai eu autant de fun, sinon plus, qu’en Alaska, parce j’étais avec quelqu’un avec qui aller chercher de l’eau dans un ruisseau devenait excitant », résume-t-elle. 

Comme elle se plaît toujours à explorer sa cour arrière, Annie-Claude préparera de nouveau son sac à dos d’ici le printemps afin de réaliser un projet de film dans le nord du Québec, qu’elle chérit tant. Voyager, oui, mais mieux, dorénavant. « Je ne veux plus aller n’importe où et prendre l’avion pour émettre du carbone. Je veux faire ce qui a du sens pour moi. »  

Vie en montagne Winter/Spring ’22 Issue Out Now

Total
16
Shares
Share 16
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Lanaudière region
  • Matawinie Trail
  • Quebec
  • VeM
  • Vie en Montagne
Mountain Life Media

Previous Article
Northern-Escape-Heli-Carbon-Neutral-heli-taking-off-NEHSDay2
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play
  • Travel

How to Go Heli-Skiing and Not Be a Climate-Changing Jerk

  • January 4, 2022
  • Mountain Life Media
View Post
Next Article
Simcoe-County-Tourism-winter-Ontario-snowshoe-women
  • Mountain Biking
  • On The Trail
  • Ontario
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play

Five Reasons to Visit Simcoe County this Winter

  • January 6, 2022
  • Mountain Life Media
View Post
You May Also Like
Mountain-Life-Coast-Mountains-Winter-2023
View Post
  • Photography
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Surfing
  • Trips & Expeditions

ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now

  • Mountain Life Media
  • February 3, 2023
CHOK-Images-RAB-Avril-2022
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Travel
  • Trips & Expeditions

Chic-Chocs: True Eastern Alpine

  • Editor
  • February 2, 2023
Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike
View Post
  • Mountain Biking
  • On The Trail

New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists

  • Editor
  • January 30, 2023
L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play

L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing

  • Editor
  • January 27, 2023
Wachs_Fairly-Mellow
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: “Fairly Mellow” at Fairy Meadow Hut

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 20, 2023
knorthphotography.Beverly-Glenn Copeland-crop
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer

Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Finding the Universal Broadcast

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 17, 2023
Season-Pass-Skis-and-Splitboard-both
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • THE GEAR SHED
  • WINTER GEAR

Gear Shed: New Season Pass Skis + Splitboard Exclusive to evo

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 15, 2023
Vincent-Colliart-Caroline-Cote-antarctica-sunset
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Trips & Expeditions
  • Women

Canadian Explorer Caroline Côté Reaches South Pole in Record 34 Days

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 13, 2023
Featured Posts
  • Mountain-Life-Coast-Mountains-Winter-2023 1
    ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now
    • February 3, 2023
  • Saint-Lawrence-ice-canoe-Jean-Anderson 2
    Jean Anderson: 40 Years of Ice Canoeing
    • January 31, 2023
  • CHOK-Images-RAB-Avril-2022 3
    Chic-Chocs: True Eastern Alpine
    • February 2, 2023
  • Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike 4
    New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists
    • January 30, 2023
  • Fjallraven-Nuuk-Parka-daniel-blom-photo_jacket 5
    Gear Shed: Multisport Winter Roundup
    • January 26, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec
    L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing
    • January 27, 2023
  • Brian-Hockenstein-surfing-Iceland-water-and-ice-ML
    In the Land of Water & Ice
    • January 24, 2023
  • Marie-Pier-Desharnais-A-Womans-Experience-on-K2-flag-crop
    Marie-Pier Desharnais: A Woman’s Experience on K2
    • January 23, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
Live It Up EP 22 is OUT NOW!
NEW ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue is OUT NOW! 🙌
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Live It Up EP 22 is OUT NOW!
NEW ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue is OUT NOW! 🙌
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.