Cyclist Louis-Joseph Couturier faced extreme conditions during his winter journey across Canada, spending nearly 10 hours in a makeshift snow shelter in Alberta amid a fierce storm. Battling -25°C temperatures, he used innovative methods to survive, including digging a snow cave and utilizing his gear effectively. With 1500 kilometers remaining, he is raising awareness for cyclist safety and funds for a related educational initiative, dedicating his expedition to a lost friend.
Winter Survival Challenge for Cyclist Louis-Joseph Couturier
In a gripping winter adventure across Canada, cyclist Louis-Joseph Couturier recently faced a daunting situation in Alberta, where he had to sleep in a makeshift snow shelter. Battling extreme temperatures plummeting to -25°C, the unexpected snow accumulation—an uncommon sight in the Prairies—played a crucial role in preserving his life. Caught in a fierce storm while traversing an isolated gravel road, the 34-year-old athlete resorted to digging a hole with his pot as a last-ditch effort. “There’s a stretch of 67 kilometers with only four houses. There’s absolutely no shelter available. I had hoped to find a barn, but it was futile,” recounts the adventurer, who was in the village of Foremost sharing his harrowing experience in the blizzard.
Clever Solutions Amidst Adversity
In an area humorously noted for its vast emptiness—where a lost dog can be seen running for three days—Louis-Joseph’s quick thinking came into play as he sought alternative shelter. His Plan B involved looking for pipes beneath the road: “With the ground frozen, I could shield myself from the wind on both sides. The snowfall was relentless, and I lost phone reception. Everything turned white, and I was losing my bearings, so I had to rethink my strategy and ultimately decided to stop,” he explained. Fortunately, despite the usual snow clearing, the ditch held enough snow to ensure his survival. He narrowly escaped tragedy with the help of a sleeping pad and an extreme weather sleeping bag. “I started digging, recalling a shelter concept shaped like a tomb. I positioned my bike parallel to the hole, laid a survival blanket down, and piled snow around it, creating an effective windbreak that resembled a winter tent! It could have ended badly, but I managed to get some sleep.”
Confined in his snow shelter, Louis-Joseph estimates he spent nearly 10 hours there. “I was fortunate to have my gear ready. Although I felt scared, I was prepared for such an eventuality. In contrast, someone stuck in their car relying solely on gasoline for warmth faces a much graver danger.” He also addressed those who criticize his endeavors as unnecessary suffering: “It’s a challenge. It’s about testing your limits. Why do people climb Everest? Some lose their lives in the pursuit. It’s a similar driving force.”
As he continues his journey, Louis-Joseph has around 1500 kilometers left to reach his goal of crossing Canada. After the loss of a friend, he dedicated this expedition to raising awareness about cyclist safety. His journey, which was interrupted by the pandemic, began on January 10, 2025, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with the aim of arriving in Vancouver by March. Additionally, he is raising funds for the Road Safety Education Park of Accès transports viables, further highlighting his commitment to cyclist safety.