#HIBERNOT this winter

Several weeks ago a group of writers / bloggers were flown out to beautiful snow-heavy Ottawa. We were then shuttled over to Montebello, Quebec, to experience Land Rover’s #HIBERNOT itinerary – a fun-filled, snow-embracing, parka-armed few days that included off roading.

#HIBERNOT is about celebrating the Canadian winter, versus our usual hesitation to heading outdoors. Canadians are all too familiar with activities like snow shoe-ing, cross country skiing, and skating. Unpredictably, the weather didn’t co-operate and it rained, causing icy conditions and a limited number of activities we could do.

The main event featured a bevy of pristine, white Land Rovers. We drove through untouched snow, up steep hills to get to the engineered off-roading course. There were hilly paths, steep and seemingly slippery slopes (tongue twister), and daring 45 degree angles. What would otherwise be an intimidating drive in a “regular” car, was more than conquered in a Land Rover.

The fleet included iconic cars like the LR-4, Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. Alongside instructors, we explored only a small fraction of the 65,000 acres of land that the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello had to offer.

Being that it was my first experience in a Land Rover, I was decidedly impressed with the finishes, the functionality…and the lack of work I had to do to navigate trickier climates. I felt like technology (TERRAIN RESPONSE®) let me cheat the always anticipated icy, slippery hills and rugged, unplowed terrain. And I couldn’t complain.

While my day to day city / urban driving may not include some of the more treacherous conditions like our Montebello experience, my appetite for adventure was only slightly satiated.

Safe drives, out there.

Learn more about the #HIBERNOT experience on the Land Rover Website, and follow along with @landrovercanada on Twitter and Instagram.