It's Not The Elevation That Matters, But How You Use it

[@Ptremp]

I'm the guy with the green Ilabb shirt. You and Hailey are the nicest persons, honestly, so cool to meet you! I might upload on my channel my POV of what it looks like for an average mountain biker trying to follow you, haha. Cheers !

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Thanks for stopping and chatting about GoPros for a while, I really enjoy getting a chance to talk with people out in the trails.

[@celestial1989]

Would love to see your PoV @Ptremp I've always been curious to see how it compares to the average person

[@lachevre_mtb]

I think it allstarted in 2020 or 2019. My first ride there was in 2020 and I was blown by the quality of the trails and how easy it is to climb ! In just 4-5 years this place has become a must in Québec. I absolutely like this place. Nice to see you there.

[@ianobrien3730]

I'm subbed explicitly for the climbing sections

[@davidcampos8795]

spent an hour climbing on my mtb this morning, spends another hour watching climbing videos on youtube

[@steven7650]

Found the road rider! lol

[@AltGrendel]

7:36 Bravo Haley! I like how Phil knows her skill set and encourages her to stretch out a little bit.

[@ICastle36]

LIke for Haley overcoming the rock roll! Looks like a rad place to ride bikes.

[@jeffsaraiva7099]

It is really impressive how Phil can take trails with drops, jumps, and gaps, blind like that. Amazing!

[@fredmotokx]

Mont SM is such a beautiful location, and I consider myself fortunate to live only ten minutes away. The Gulyvair, pousse pas ta luck, Sauterie and Santa Banana Pro line muddy blinds were extremely interesting; they are not a joke and are quite large. The GoPro effect certainly does not do justice in this case.

[@jamesleatherwood5125]

Good Job Haley! Way to go! Thats Courage right there! Having the fear but trusting in your hubby's evaluation of your skill and going for it anyway! Much respect, girl! ♥♥

[@yashara2283]

Phil, please do a video riding a DH bike just for the hell of it. Would love to see you send it on a longer travel bike

[@alistairj4851]

I was having a very 'MEH!' sort of day until 7:47 when you here Haily's giggle of joy after doing the rock roll. These two always find a way to cheer me up.

[@Alexbeaudet]

Really cool that you came visit our ant hill and loved it! We cherish this place so much it's nice to see people from all over having the same reaction. New School is definitely the sickest trail this side of Gullyvair 🤘 Nice meeting you with Guillaume up top, take care and keep us entertained 😉

[@wpf312]

That blind nose bonk at 28:38 though! 🔥🤘

[@Heath.rides.bikes.]

Great job Haily!!! Proud of you for that roller!!

[@MTBChuckQC]

Oh man, you just made my day so brighter by uploading this! Thanks Phil, I'm so glad to witness you riding there!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

There's a lot to love about this place, it seems like they are doing a good job getting new people into the sport while have some challenging terrain to work up to. Also the community vibe there was extremely positive, it was really great talking with all the folks i ran into.

[@MTBChuckQC]

@@SkillsWithPhil Oh yes, I fell under the charm the first time I went, just like you did! And I think this is the easiest and enjoyable climb you can have in the whole province.

[@person849]

Loving the Quebec videos!!! Keep em coming!

[@almost40mtber]

Mont-SM used to be a ski hill that my uncle partially owned about 30 or so years ago. I have limited memories of it as I was young. But now that I’ve gotten into mountain biking I think it’s time for a return. It’s been on my list!

[@dolmen21]

Great footage and commentary as usual Phil! FYI what Guillaume was referring to when saying 'dénivelé' in French is actually 'vertical drop' or 'elevation' in English. Professional translator, can't help it. Sorry :)

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I appreciate it when people jump in and share their expertise (especially when done politely) :)

[@Smettli]

"...though they do have vacations like every 2 seconds." Best comment of the day, hahaha :D

[@kushstreams4260]

7:46 Dope rock roll Hailey!!!

[@JTFoote]

"If you need to just crash into me" that's true love ❤

[@FreerideQuebec]

That place is a gem, great vid Phil..I still need to clear that Gulivair trail aha

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Gulivair is a really cool! I wish I had more energy as I would have loved to have done a few of those trails multiple times.

[@alexdesjardinsmtb5409]

Yesss Phil🤘🏼. One of my favorite places to ride in Quebec👌🏼🔥

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

I was there once but yeah it was a bit too hot, I really need to go back but it was part of a trip it's about 3 hrs away. The will to bike in all sorts of places is bigger than the time I have to do stuff so yeah I need to make some sacrifices 😅 People like you help manage time efficiently, thanks for your public service Phil 😜🤘

[@ktvlm3987]

another sick spot! Nice job on the rock roll Hailey!

[@mtbjourney8209]

Trails looked really cool. Great POV as always

[@Gavin_ryan]

You should go to granite gorge bike park next year when they reopen! Great tech trails for the size of the mountain!

[@sebmour]

It used to be a ski hill. It’s now an MTB only hill. Mont SM is a gem in Qc. Even the blue trails are a blast

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Ah that explains it. I didn't see any lifts remaining, and the trails seemed too overgrown to be used in the winter for skiing.

[@sebmour]

@@SkillsWithPhil yeah I wish they would groom for fatbiking! It’s really cool to see you ride trails that I have ridden 30 times or more. Btw, next time, 3rd slab in black slabbath has an option in the middle between your line and hailey’s line. I also think new school is the best trail there. Just pure fun

[@LamSanga]

Saw you that day! Told my friends to look out for your video of Mont SM. Hope you had fun! Love your riding 🤘 didn't want to stop you for a quick chat though 😂 Mont Blanc has great flowy trails, then if you go 10 mins further, Mont Tremblant has deer mountain with nice lines also.

[@jamesleatherwood5125]

The fact that you can actually see some of these inclines on camera... musta been like a roller coaster!

[@zaydynbarth8914]

Love your videos you got me into mountain biking

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

They keep me in 😂

[@wpf312]

Black Slabbath…one of the best trail names ever lol!!!

[@Sequelthebest]

Holy shit you were there on monday right? Knew I recognized you out there on the trails. Cheers!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yup, thats when i was there!

[@marcelknop1]

Nice vid as usual Phil. That water vapour spot on your lens might be because you are blowing into your camera to try to clean out dust from the SD card or battery compartment. Blowing with your mouth introduces vapour to the camera. Better off using a machine blower. Or it might just be water ingress, I'm no expert.

[@encaps_3974]

am I the only one who had to laugh at minute 7:00 in the video? Phill successfully showing Hailey that there is good traction for her to go slow all the way down just for Phill to slip going down on foot 😭 lol

[@InMy6Fo]

Awesome Hayley

[@WilliamLevesqueineX]

Mont SM is a fun place for sure ! Parc Récréoforestier St-Mathieu-du-Parc only like 15min north is also fantastic, but they did have a hard time this year with conditions and I've not been yet. But when I went it was definitely in my top destinations, it's like a mini-BC. Same builders as Mont SM but its all natural techy trails, almost all double blacks. It's awesome.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Several people brought that place up. I've added it to my list :)

[@1067148]

​@SkillsWithPhil I am not sure the Parc Récréoforestier will reopen this year after the record braking rain we had 3 weeks ago. This place is very fragile to rain. They lost a lot of trail to it. I work 5min from Mont SM. It's such a nice place to ride.

[@WilliamLevesqueineX]

@@1067148 Yeah thats kinda what I heard, very unfortunate. Rode there two years ago end of season (was injured most of last season) and it was epic. Steep, loamy, super fun slabs and features.

[@alexandreparadis9815]

If you go to to mont-blanc you should really go to mont tremblant, there a few double black whit a mixture of tech and jump, also there's bunch of secret trail whit good features

[@hugotaggert5105]

Sometime you should try the Deerfield ridge trails at eagle brook. They are very fun and would be a good visit.

[@ElProfeMoto]

I wish we had a place like that in FL 😕

[@rexwhite6883]

Proud of Haley!!

[@JTFoote]

Ah I like the climbing content and chit chat 😂🍻

[@justinmarineau6951]

Probably my favourite place in quebec

[@Thatskiracer]

Phil you need to check out Highland this season

[@QcPamplemousse]

A couple hours further west (near Ottawa) is Camp Fortune for downhill! Place is gnarly

[@SkillsWithPhil]

That and a few others in that area are on my radar.

[@pascalbeaulieu4780]

​@@SkillsWithPhilif you come to the area, check out Domaine Kanawe. Their new DH Juice line (jumpline) is sick.

[@morcL18]

Further east (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) has some good riding, not quite Quebec tier but something new for you to possibly check out @@SkillsWithPhil

[@jolbeaulieu]

@@SkillsWithPhil If you're in the Ottawa area, take some time to head out to Domaine Kanawe. It is around 20 mins north of downtown Ottawa. DK is very similar to Mont SM. You'll certainly like it.

[@SecretSpots]

place looks super fun!

[@IsaacRC]

I use a hair dryer to clean the lens humidity trapped between the internal elements, the lens rear end is not water sealed.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Hmmm might give that a go, it's definitely annoying :/

[@IsaacRC]

@@SkillsWithPhil it's the gopro max lens right? Then brazing hot with the dryer to force humidity escape, hope it helps

[@nostr8ghtlinzs596]

if had the dollars, i would get a travel trailer, toy hauler, spend a month or two just driving around Quebec and riding

[@RayMartinez91]

Hey Phil! what van do you drive for your bikes?

[@nicholascucchiara7062]

I’d love to know what exact handlebars and grips your running, I just got done downhill riding and my hands are hurting .

[@HutchYT]

Phil wasn’t lying when he said he gets left hanging all the time 😂

[@methodz6308]

You got any bike recommendations for a 17y/o kid who loves trails/jumps? Bike just broke and I’m look for a new one. Anywhere up to $1,500 is the price range.

[@sebmour]

If you want a guide for Mont Ste Marie, I am going on sept 11-12.

[@watisoatmeal6427]

Are you ever going to head out to Mont Saint Marie or Camp Fortune near Ottawa?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yes eventually, but no plans as of yet

[@pt.mtb2389]

I might've missed it in the video, but how much elevation does this place have?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

This isn't official but looking at the elevation contours, i think Mont SM is maybe only about 400ft from top to bottom.

[@pt.mtb2389]

@@SkillsWithPhil Thank ya for the response!

[@JoeJacksonGT3]

Can someone clear something up for me? I'm getting back into riding (20 year gap) and I'm seeing so many people with full-face helmets. If I'm not going to be doing aggressive riding like Phil here, is a full-face necessary? I can see the benefit of it if you take a hard fall.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yeah they started becoming popular a 5ish years ago. Before that full faces were heavy and hot, and not too many companies made lighter weight versions for trail riding, Half shells are still the more common option but when the terrain is a bit more sketchy you'll see more people running them. I find more riders in Quebec have embraced the fullface trail helmet compared to other areas I've ridden. It's really up to you, i ride in a regular half shell when I'm not filming.

[@JoeJacksonGT3]

@@SkillsWithPhil Appreciate the response and feedback. I'll probably get both just in case. Keep up the great content. It seems like you're always in a few areas where I grew up in VT!

[@painterabc123]

Chainguard needed! 23:20

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I kind of hate running chain guides. They tend to cause problems then solve for general use. Remounting a chain isn't a huge problem, but unwedging a chain that somehow gets stuck on the wrong side of the guide is PITA.

[@Truly_creepzttv]

You need to go to wild side pigeon forge

[@jay-effmichaud]

Got a feeling that there will be a little asterix next to this place so you'll come back again

[@pierotez]

Wooow!!

[@adamweb]

Lmao at Canada "having vacations every 2 seconds" 😂

[@Oper8or]

So they give you a lift ticket for a non lift park? That is confusing. Great vid as always. You keep me motivated but I'll never ride like you.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Well, it's an "access pass" to prove that you paid. These trails don't build themselves :)

[@Oper8or]

@@SkillsWithPhil Not saying they would build themselves. Trail builders have a rough job. Nice trails too from the look of it.

[@tyarnold4088]

I see what you did there. It's not the size that matters. Lol.

[@billyg7281]

Looks like a lot of people, but they just sit at the trailheads and do not ride???🤷‍♂️

[@SkillsWithPhil]

It's not always about the mileage, sometimes it's enjoyable to hangout and talk to people. Growing up riding skateparks and dirt jumps half the fun was just hanging out and riding in between.

[@MTBChuckQC]

some people are there to do their social 😂

[@Alexbeaudet]

There was a memorial ride on that day for a local who passed away and was big in the local bike scene. Huge turnout for him (100+) amongst everyone visiting for labour day. So yeah it was hard to keep it incognito @SkillsWithPhil 🤣

[@10k-p7q]

fiirrssttt

[@tyarnold4088]

I was 9422

[@Trinity-zn1ds]

Is Hailey his wife or daughter

[@revengeof1307]

Yoo

[@dman5703]

Well kinda lol I have 100 feet and I can make any blacks lol