There are only 169 days!

Date of the activity

From January 30 to February 8, 2026

Registration Deadline

15 November 2025

Description

Are you interested in nature- and adventure-based therapy? Want to help change the lives of young people with cancer? Cross Lac St-Jean on skis or snowshoes to raise funds for therapeutic adventure. A transformative three-day experience that blends introspection, adrenaline, adventure, and pushing your limits!

Registration is closed until the announcement of the 2026 edition.

—–

Registration

Registration Fee: $375, payable upon online registration

Fundraising Goal: $1,500 in donations
The fundraising must be 100% completed by the expedition departure day. The full amount goes directly to the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation to help fulfill its mission.

Starting Point: Pointe-Taillon

End Point: Roberval (location to be confirmed)

Notes:

  • Each participant must complete their own registration form.

  • Policy for changes or cancellations can be found [here].

  • Team Registration: The first person must register by creating a team. The second and subsequent participants must register by selecting the existing team to join it. The individual fundraising goals of $1,500/person are combined to create a team goal (e.g., $4,500 for a team of 3 people). Donors can contribute either to an individual or to a team; both personal and collective goals will be updated accordingly.
    IMPORTANT: If you select the option Create a team, make sure to check I want to join the team with my own personal campaign so that you will have both an individual and a team campaign.


Steps After Completing Online Registration

  1. You will receive two emails: 1st: Email with receipt for registration fee | 2nd: Email confirming your registration
  2. Activate your account from the second email
  3. Carefully read the confirmation message
  4. Download the preparation documents: participant guide, support letter, and equipment list
  5. Attend the two mandatory prep meetings in mid-December and mid-January. The meeting dates will be shared via email at a later time.

Who are the two Marios?

Mario Bilodeau (left) is co-founder of the Baccalauréat en plein air of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and co-founder of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. An expert in outdoor leadership training and adventure intervention, he is regularly invited for his expertise as an international speaker. Passionate about nature and expeditions, Mario has travelled the planet to climb the highest peaks including mounts McKinley and Everest. In 2009, he received the prestigious Lifelong Contribution to Adventure Therapy in Canada Award at the very first Canadian Adventure Therapy Symposium (CATS).

Mario Cantin (right) is the Vice-President, Sales and Distribution, National Bank Insurance. Originally from the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region, he is passionate about adventure expeditions. He has climbed several peaks, including the highest mountain, Everest, but also several peaks in North America, South America and Africa. Mario has also been involved with the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation, since 2008 with the Double Challenge, but was also Honorary President for Marie-Hélène Côté Shave-O-Thon and a member of the Board of Directors.

The two Marios warmly invite you to register or to support the fundraising of the participants of the Double Challenge!

What is the winter crossing of Lac St-Jean on the Double Challenge of the Two Marios?

Each participant registered for a crossing will travel the 32 km separating the 2 shores of Lac St-Jean. You will leave from the reception at Pointe-Taillon Park to go to the Village sur glaces of Roberval. Your journey is fully supported by the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. You must therefore provide your personal material and carry out your personal campaign, the Foundation team will take care of the rest. During your crossing, you will be accommodated in an expedition tent, you will feast on delicious meals and will be able to benefit from a loan of certain specialized equipment necessary to fully appreciate your winter camping experience. More details on how to prepare for your adventure will be communicated to you once you have registered.

Each day, expect to cover an approximate distance of 10 to 12 kilometres, on your own skis or snowshoes. Throughout the course, you will pull your personal equipment behind you. Of course, you will experience a physical challenge during these 3 days, but it is above all a second, more interior challenge that will leave its mark on you. The secondary goal of the Double Challenge of the Two Marios, which is as important as it is instructive, is to allow participants to have a truly unique outdoor experience, reserved for those ready to surpass themselves and willing to compete with themselves during a 3-day expedition in genuine arctic territory.

More infos here!

How is the personal campaign going?

Register now! Then, ask colleagues, relatives and friends, inviting them to contribute to your fundraising campaign by taking advantage of the tips included in the participant’s workbook. All your donations will be going directly to the Foundation and will be used to fund the hours of intervention with young cancer patients.

Please note that throughout your campaign, the Foundation will support you in your efforts by providing you with various tools to ensure the credibility of your efforts and support you in your fundraising.

More infos, tricks and suggestions here!

Change the life of a young person affected by cancer!