Bluebird skies and some of the deepest, driest pow in the history of deep, dry pow—this is how we kick off the next day at Ski Chic Chocs. Our guide and the owner of the cat operation, Stephane, is stoked to show us around his backyard. And rightly so. He's essentially pioneered backcountry cat access this side of the Rockies and he's got a lot of impressive terrain that's never seen the likes of a motley crew like us. We hop in Stephane's BV 206 (Google BV 206 right now) and start patrolling potential zones to get into.

Now that the skies have cleared and it's finally quit snowing (like that's some kind of nuisance), we're able to see the full expanse of the terrain here. Wide open alpine, tight shots, cliff bands—you name it, it's here. And it goes on and on from one bowl to the next. Even the most hardworking ripper would be hardpressed to thrash everything here in weeks.

Jeremy and Anto scope out a potential jumping spot and get to work building a step-down into a deep landing. Frank, Jason and I decide we can't get enough of the bottomless blower so, after Stephane gives the thumbs up that the snowpack is stable, proceed to shred lap after lap after lap with no end in sight to the pow available.

With bangers in the bag, stoked high fives and a few "c'est bonnes" flying around, it's safe to say the day wrapped up on a good note. We head back to Saint-Anne-des-Monts where we're staying at Chateau Lamontagne. As with any backcountry mission, days are long and spent working diligently to make the magic happen. Evenings are mellow, everyone pores over the day's photos on laptops while Jason sleeps. Seriously, he's been crashing right after dinner, all tuckered out from a tough day of 1080s.

Lucky for us, Chateau Lamontagne has been nothing short of absolute luxury during our stay. Right on the water, the views here are unbelievable from the patio of the recently renovated chateau that dates back to the mid-1800s. The food has been top-notch and we've capped off each day wondering how it could possibly be better the next. If you plan a trip to the Chic Chocs, do yourself a favour and book into this spot. You certainly won't regret it.

This isn't the Interior, it's La Belle Province. Seguin photo

Will and Oli setting up the money shot. Seguin photo

Frank and Jason calling dibs on lines. Seguin photo

Anto ripping through a canopy of deciduous trees. Croteau photo

Oli loving life in the Swedish-built BV 206, aka "The Tank." Seguin photo

Anto pauses for a moment on the ridge before dropping in. Seguin photo

Angry Bird's eye view of a sampling of Ski Chic Chocs tenure. Seguin photo

Yours truly. You didn't think I was here just for the words, did you? Croteau photo

The aftermath. Seguin photo

Our days have ended at Chateau Lamontagne with this...

...and this. Seguin photos