Becoming friends
Though they both live in Ottawa, they hadn't seen each other in fifteen years. Not that they had made an effort. They weren't really friends, more like acquaintances. Now they're friends.
Jenn and Francie, Francie and Jenn. About twenty years age they had met - both belonged to CADS Edelweiss. And both had been to a couple of the same CADS festivals back then, and had even roomed together one time at Kimberley. But, back then, they hadn't really connected. And then the common thread of skiing disappeared - Jenn got busy and quit the program; Frances stayed on.
Last December, the two young women bumped into each other at the liquor store. Not stocking up on Christmas booze but working, both for the Salvation Army kettle drive.
Frances was excited when Jenn told her she had already registered and was coming back to skiing.
The regular season went by fast. Although they saw each other in passing on Saturdays, with coming, going, getting ready and, of course skiing, somehow there only seemed to be time for momentary chats. Then ... Mont Ste Anne happened; and Frances and Jenn hung out for six day.
Three of us were going together, the two ladies ... and me, the driver, the carrier and the lunch and breakfast meal-maker. Leaving, we were on schedule, almost - we were all sitting in my SUV at 7am Sunday morning, our planned time of departure. Although neither
Frances nor Jenn said anything at the time, laughing about the trip later in the week, Jenn confessed she wondered when we would eventually leave. It took a while, but I did finally figure out how to input French abbreviations into my GPS. Once on the road, both ladies agreed that the drive-time flew by quickly and they had fun chatting and listening to music.
We planned to stop in Quebec City before heading to the hotel at the ski hill, have lunch and then go on a sight-seeing tour. The plan was changed, after a couple of time-wasting wrong turns (Grrrr ...GPS) to a bus tour and then supper.
With 5 minutes to spare I dropped the ladies off at the bus for the 1 o'clock tour, then I rushed to park and hopped on as the bus was leaving. We all enjoyed the tour - but especially the droll guide. His parting words were – “If you liked this tour, my name is Francois; if you didn't, my name is Pierre.
Getting to the SUV parked in front of the Chateau Frontenac after the tour was like a trip through an Arctic wind tunnel. It took only a few minutes, but by the time we got there, I was cold, Frances was very cold and Jenn was frigging freezing cold. Blue lips, teeth chattering.

Hungry now, with Jenn wrapped in the car blanket and the heaters blowing full blast, I set the
GPS for Om Prana , a raw vegetarian restaurant with a 5-star review that Frances had researched on-line.
By the time we got there we were very hungry; it had taken two gos of the GPS to get there (I missed putting in east the first time), but we agreed unanimously, it was worth it. In fact even though we ate some very good dinners at some very nice restaurants during the week, the ladies kept remembering that meal and the 'desserts to die for'. Jenn sampled the raw raw lasagna (squash slices instead of actual noodles), a first for her, and so did Frances while I had the raw pad Thai (made with raw zucchini noodles instead of rice noodles). Then ... we each had a different decadent dessert - cashew cheese cake for Frances, spicy chocolate brownie for Jenn, and avocado lime pie for me - and shared :)
We arrived at Chateau Mont Ste- Anne just in time for the opening ceremonies and Frances and Jenn met their instructors - Barb and Francine (both from Quebec) were to ski with Jenn while Ben and George (both from Ontario), with Frances. The business of the day accomplished, we then headed to the outdoor hot tub. What an experience getting to the tub was! Almost as cold as the frigging freezing cold experience in Quebec City. What a sight once we were in! With our bodies comfortably ensconced in hot water, it didn't take long before our heads, exposed to the cold wind and steam, started sprouting icy halos.
Jenn loved sharing the hotel room – It made the trip so much better, more affordable for one and all in all, just more memorable. “We could chat,” added Frances... “and share the chores, washing the di shes”. Jenn loved not having to cook or clean; Frances loved the slope side accommodations, being able to sleep in, not having to rush in the morning to get to the hill on time .
And the ladies both agreed
– the one big thing about the festival was they both met a lot of very nice people. That's just what CADS is made up of – a lot of very nice people. It was clear right from the get-go – kind, understanding and just plain nice people. Added to that, after the first chilly day, the weather was warm and sunny too.
As for the skiing, a beautiful hill with beautiful weather, hanging out with beautiful people, what more can one ask for? Both ladies scored in the Guestimation Race, Frances and her guys got a gold in the sit ski category , Jenn and her gals, a silver in the stand-up category.
When asked the highlight of skiing during the week – Jenn reminisced, “I'd never been in a gondola before - the view of the St. Lawrence River and Ile d'Orleans was awesome, well worth my 2 gondola rides!!!” Then she proudly announced she only fell three times during the whole week, and only once while skiing. Frances laughed as she remembered laughing a lot and “ that ginormous hill” on the last day, the one she conquered.
Now the festival at Mont Ste Anne is over; only the memories remain ... going back in Quebec
City and searching for souvenirs , salivating at the chocolate museum and only indulging in one little treat, enjoying gluten-free pizza and gelato ... Jenn got to practice her French and even learned a few new words. Frances became ' the killer snow flake' ... Jenn, ' the hockey stopper' ... A nd then there was Tim the skidoo driver, aka "The Hugger"; both ladies sure enjoyed his smiles and hugs.
But the festival did happen...the young ladies roomed together and left as friends. They've

connected now ... and not only on Face book. They're both looking forward to spending time together this summer – eating gelato, going to the beach, and just ... hanging out.
Another Festival next year? ... the ladies say probably not, but maybe in a couple of years.
Both agree that the daily instruction sure made a difference. Their recommendations for anyone wanting to go to the festival: Definitely go – it's truly a great social and ski experience. But don't go alone ... and share a room!
Photo attached: And the Winners are – Frances and Jennifer