Sitting on the frozen lake, I’m perched on an upside-down bucket topped with a small foam cushion. I’ll spend a good part of the day there, facing someone I love who is just as uncomfortably seated, but equally full of smiles.
Between us, a hole drilled into the ice that morning lets out the breath of the water moving underneath. A hopeless romantic at heart, I can’t help but see in this still scene we form, fishing in the cold winter wind, a metaphor for life.
“That must have been written before,” he says softly when I tell him that the moment has inspired me to write this article.
“I know,” I reply. “But never by me.”
It might sound arrogant, but it really isn’t. What I mean is that if other people have already felt what I am feeling right now, with both feet in the slush of a lake that is otherwise completely frozen, then perhaps I am not the only one inspired by it.
And the way I write about it will still be unique, because it will be mine.
“Start with the personal and move toward the universal,” a friend’s professor once said.
Exactly.
On this frozen lake, in the heart of Yamaska National Park, sheltered from the strong wind by a large tent, we are learning the basics of ice fishing.
For me, it is mostly an excuse to get outside, try something new, and give myself the feeling that I am travelling.
It is one of those January mornings during the pandemic when simply getting out of the house feels intoxicating enough to make me forget about the cold.
The fresh air, the vast frozen lake covered in a thick layer of freshly fallen snow, and the surrounding boreal forest are already doing me a world of good.
As someone who thrives on adventure, I had grown tired of not being able to regularly board a plane and discover the world.
As we walked through the wet snow and then across the frozen reservoir toward our shelter, I couldn’t help imagining myself back in the Arctic—the place that changed my life—braving the cold on the other side of the world.
That morning, Quebec reassured me.
It reminded me that there would once again be journeys far away, just as there would be other adventures here at home, far enough from everyday life to warm my heart.
My eyes fixed on the opening in the ice, I feel almost hypnotized, much like I do when watching a crackling campfire in summer. As always when I am outdoors, my thoughts begin to wander. Sentences write themselves in my head. Inspiration takes over to the point where I almost forget to reel in my line.
For me, this is what being outdoors is all about: the freedom that comes when the mind empties itself of worries and doubts and fills instead with fresh air, new words, and thoughts that feel lighter and more positive. I am sitting still, yet strangely content, even though I am usually someone who has trouble staying in one place. I am normally walking, skiing, cycling, or simply moving.
Winter calms me.
The cold keeps me occupied, freezing away the uncertainty of the previous months and demanding my full attention.
Motionless and quiet, I imagine the water and its currents moving beneath the frozen surface.
I am calm.
I am patient.
I wait.
My companion, meanwhile, can hardly sit still.
He keeps himself busy attaching bait to the hooks, preparing hot mate to warm us up, and trying to fish with two rods at once.
His inspiration comes through conversation. He tells me stories, shares surprising bits of knowledge, makes me laugh with his jokes, and makes me smile with his urban fisherman style.
Strangely enough, our differences bring us closer together, just as our shared enjoyment of the moment takes us away from everyday life.
“This represents us pretty well,” I tell him, slowly lifting my head toward him.
“I take the time to contemplate, calm and silent, patiently waiting to reach my goal, while you’re active, playful, scattered, and in a hurry to accomplish everything we came here to do all at once.”
I exaggerate a little, I know.
In everyday life, I rarely sit still either.
Still, I feel that this moment captures our respective personalities rather well.
It occurs to me that since the pandemic, my tendency to make analogies and see metaphors or signs in ordinary situations has become even stronger than before.
It usually happens when I am outdoors, and I know that is anything but a coincidence.
When hiking, the challenges of the climbs, reaching summits, and rushing descents seem to perfectly reflect the ups and downs of our new lives.
On a bike, the speed, endless pedal strokes, adrenaline rushes, and sense of freedom give me the invaluable gift of seeing everyday life from a different perspective.
When cross-country skiing, my enthusiasm makes up for the technique I have yet to master. It reminds me that sometimes we simply have to move forward despite the unknown.
There will be long, straight stretches requiring more effort, climbs, gentle slopes, and steeper descents where we simply let ourselves go, our bodies sometimes unstable, but still smiling, our eyes narrowed against the wind.
Moments like this one on the frozen lake keep me away from the despair that our difficult new reality could otherwise bring.
By taking life one day at a time, accepting things as they are, and appreciating the small pleasures of life and the untouched beauty of Quebec in winter, I remain the same empathetic and deeply human person who still manages to find beauty—and gentle metaphors for people and life—in the smallest things.
As Albert Camus wrote, “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”
Do you also feel like enjoying the outdoors while discovering your own life metaphors in the Eastern Townships?
There is no shortage of cottage rentals and winter activities to discover, including:
Yamaska National Park
Yamaska National Park (Sépaq) offers several winter activities, including ice-fishing packages.
On the frozen Choinière Reservoir, sheltered from the wind inside a tent, visitors can discover winter fishing for species such as yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and perhaps even walleye.
Learn more about Yamaska National Park
Round Top trail in Sutton
The Round Top trail at the Sutton Natural Environment Park offers inspiring and simply magical winter landscapes.
Discover Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton
Plein air Sutton
At Plein air Sutton, you can explore well-maintained trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Equipment rentals are also available.
Mont-Orford National Park
Mont-Orford National Park is also a wonderful destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and alpine skiing.
Discover Mont-Orford National Park
FAQ – Enjoying the outdoors in the Eastern Townships
What winter activities can you enjoy in the Eastern Townships?
The Eastern Townships offer a wide variety of winter activities, including ice fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing. The region is ideal for travellers who want to combine outdoor adventure, snowy landscapes, and a cottage getaway.
Where can you go ice fishing in the Eastern Townships?
Yamaska National Park offers ice-fishing experiences on Choinière Reservoir. It is a great way to discover winter fishing in a natural setting while enjoying Quebec’s winter season.
What are some beautiful places for winter hiking in the Eastern Townships?
The Round Top trail in the Sutton Natural Environment Park is a great option for enjoying beautiful winter scenery. Mont-Orford National Park also offers several opportunities for winter hiking.
Can you go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Sutton?
Yes. Plein air Sutton offers maintained trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. It is an excellent area for spending an active day outdoors during a stay in the Eastern Townships.
Is Mont-Orford National Park worth visiting in winter?
Yes. Mont-Orford National Park is a popular destination for cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and several other outdoor activities. Its scenery and extensive trail network make it an excellent choice for a nature getaway.
Why choose a cottage in the Eastern Townships for a winter getaway?
A cottage allows you to enjoy outdoor activities during the day and return to a warm and comfortable space in the evening. It is a great way to combine adventure, relaxation, and discovering the region.
Are the Eastern Townships suitable for couples and families in winter?
Yes. The variety of activities makes it easy to adapt a stay for couples, families, or groups of friends. Some travellers may prefer more active adventures, while others can simply enjoy the scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
How can you find a cottage rental in the Eastern Townships?
Chalet à Rabais lets you discover cottages for rent throughout the Eastern Townships, including near destinations such as Magog, Orford, Bromont, Sutton, and many other outdoor recreation areas. This makes it easier to organize a getaway close to the activities you want to enjoy.