Date of the activity

From January 31 to February 9, 2025

Registration Deadline

15 November 2024

Number of Participants

88 maximum

Description

A three-day adventure on the ice of Lake St-Jean, supported by a skilled and professional team meeting the highest standards... Participating in the legendary Double Challenge of the two Marios means contributing to changing the lives of young people with cancer.

Registration is now open—sign up and join us on the ice!

  • Pre-launch from October 7 to 14 for those who registered on the waiting list for the previous edition.
  • Official launch for the general public: October 15 at 8:00 AM.
  • Dates: January 31 to February 2 (first crossing) and February 7 to 9 (second crossing).

Two options are available to you!

Option 1 : Experience the arctic expedition by crossing the Lac St-Jean!

Cost: A fee of $375 will be required when you register online. This amount is used to cover administrative costs related to your registration, gives you access to promotional material, covers shipping costs and gives you access to specialized equipment for your expedition on the ice of Lac St-Jean.

Campaign: Once registered, you agree to raise $1,500 in donations in addition to the registration fee. Please note that the total amount (100%) has to be completed on the day of the start of the expedition. We remind you that the total amount will be paid directly to the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation in order to achieve its mission and offer therapeutic adventure projects to young people with cancer.

  • Please prioritize credit card donations through our platform
  • Please note that it is not possible to complete a form for anyone other than yourself. The information requested must concern the participant on the ice.

Please be sure to consult our terms and policy about cancellation and modification.

Team Formation: A first person must first register by creating a team. The second and subsequent teams must register by clicking on the team created to be part of it. Individual objectives of $1,500/person therefore combine to form a collective objective (e.g.: $4,500 for a team of 3 people). Donors can thus make a personal or collective donation to an individual or a team (both individual and collective objectives will therefore be modified). IMPORTANT : If you select the Create a team option, it is important to check the I want to join the team with my own personal campaign option in order to have an individual campaign AND a team campaign.

Option 2 : Support a participant with a donation to Double Challenge of the Two Marios!

Click here and contribute directly online to the campaign of the participant of your choice.

It is with enthusiasm that we invite you to participate in this new edition of the Double Challenge of the Two Marios for the benefit of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. 

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.

Here is how to make a success of your winter crossing of Lac St-Jean in 9 easy steps:

  1. I register before November 15th 
  2. I confirm my registration by downloading the documents sent and activating my fundraising profile
  3. I benefit from preparatory advice
  4. I do my fundraising
  5. I train and I prepare for my expedition
  6. I consult the equipment list and reserve the appropriate material
  7. I prepare my luggage and go to Lac St-Jean
  8. I cross the immensity of Lac St-Jean in an unforgettable setting from February 2 to 4 or from February 9 to 11, 2024
  9. I change the life of young people with cancer!

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!