After a big dump yesterday I was chomping at the bit to get up to the Gatineau Hills to get my first ski of the season. I dutifully got my core weights in this morning and rounded up Jamie and Johnny and headed to P10 for a ski session this afternoon. The fresh snow was still soft which made it a bit of a slow ski, but compared to the asphalt of two days before the parkways were perfect! We had a great rip up to the top of Champlain Lookout and just enjoyed getting back out in the beautiful park. As is usual when we start at P10, we raced down the final big hill at fortune lake. I am proud to tell you that Johnny has finally scored a win for the whitewater column with a convincing downhill effort. John and I were neck and neck going into the last big corner, but John got and held the inside, leaving me no choice but to attempt a difficult skate around his flying poles. His power was too daunting and the soft snow no help and I took a big spill, leaving Johnny the cruise to victory. Well done Hastings, rematch tomorrow on Penguin.