ORFORD, QC — A 91-year-old man crossed an unusual experience off his bucket list on Saturday, and received a $1,000 fine, when he set out to climb a Mount Orford ski slope in his convertible.
Officers of the Memphremagog Police Board received calls at around 1:15 p.m. on Saturday notifying them that an elderly man behind the wheel of a 2009 Chrysler Sebring Convertible was trying to reach the summit of Mount Orford by way of the ski slope.
The man, who police say was from Valleyfield, Quebec, was accompanied by his wife and another passenger who exited the vehicle at the base of the slope, and raised the chain barrier to allow his vehicle to pass.
Several hikers in the area attempted to wave the man back down, but he continued on his way. He eventually reached the summit.
After achieving his goal, he came back down the mountain on the same path, where he was greeted by police.
He told police that he had trouble walking, and wanted to reach the summit of Mount Orford before he died.
Police say that they ticketed him $1,000 for reckless driving, given the presence of hikers on the trail, and the danger of the stunt.
“The penalty did not seem to bother him too much,” said Lieutenant Sylvain Guay of the Memphremagog Police Board.
Mount Orford is a mountain and ski resort located in the Mont-Orford National Park in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec.
