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Headed Nord last weekend to put some smiles on. We experienced low traffic and heavy grooming, lucky considering the location and time of the year.

Arrived at RDL this afternoon and had time for a 20 mile spin to check out the trails. Just enough snow the first couple miles and more snow out of town. Great going and the trails were groomed and smooth. Most trails showing closed or yellow so not sure how the big loops will go. Came up through Jackman, Maine this morning. Once crossing the border I saw groomed trails here and there and people out riding. Looks to be enough snow until I got near the St. Lawrence. Very thin from below QC to 2/3 the way to RDL and then it go better. Tons of sleds at the RDL clubhouse. Will know more as the days progress. Mike

Rain definitely did some damage , seems mother nature is working on repairs 170 miles today, fun times

Highlights included seeing Mario “MCSTAR” and his wife for the first time since we last met at the summer gathering in Maine many years ago. We met “Bluegrass” and his misses for the first time. We introduced ourselves to Brad and his group that are from our neck of the woods. Good times. A little rough headed back into town on Sunday, the joys of being a weekend warrior 😂. No blue bird says, so the pics are a little dull, but at least there is something to look at.

Made it down to Moose Valley today. Trails were simply superb the entire 260 mile way 10 out of 10 day highly recommend the ride!

I’m back and outta here HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone and their families !!!!!!!

Day 2 ... Chenail du Nord loop . Mostly rain overnight then switch to colder .. slight dusting of snow luckily. Decent cover over 1000' elevation as the pics show 👌

Very good to EXCELLENT conditions in most spots. You are going to click a few rocks connecting the nice areas together, but it’s not a big deal. They sell new carbides every day. GOUIN has 24+ inches easily, north of there you are on 3+ feet of snow. 83 over to Parant has been groomed multiple times. SMDS up to the 83 also has been groomed multiple times. Feedback on the WoodRunner trails is also excellent. Like Randy has said the trail from REPO over to Kanawata no longer goes by Château Vert. It is back on the trail from 5-6 years ago. It was logged a few years back and is a much wider trail now. Probably cuts 15 miles at least off the trip. Kanawata is so much more pleasant now without Celine there. Mario is just a hired hand and the new staff is AWESOME!. They are no longer logging from Kanawata up to Chibougamau, so the road from REPO to Kanawata is only lightly plowed and you can certainly use it if there’s fresh snow. Trailblazers Kanawata Express. Camp de Casey is closed this season. They really did a piss poor execution on opening for the winter so it is no wonder they are closed for the winter. They do have the solar panels and STARLINK up and running, even though nobody’s there. If you have the password from last year, you can easily call home. 2456 miles so far this year, hope to get in a few more before the snow melts.

Today's pics

1/04/25 Off to Pourvoirie Itouk for a few nights, great host ! Lots of snow in areas for sure. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/Screenshot_20250104_192308_Maps.thumb.jpg.18837e3c55f951a687b74e19b2ab432f.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_181717.thumb.jpg.3ed07fb41df39d687a8373df9b7de731.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_174309.thumb.jpg.a1d2e32a38570776b5b941ee4d963deb.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_172605.thumb.jpg.d70103791cd995de99e532d0f1121e9b.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_122202.thumb.jpg.9c1837a9086d237f8051acd675074507.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_113439.thumb.jpg.2fc83ae32b02d7900d393e8eca29c8b8.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_105723.thumb.jpg.1a1248b5f8079e5b58f4de1b0fce32cf.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_102558.thumb.jpg.8631ae3e41ca5124247e6e983c03a42d.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2025_01/20250104_100359.thumb.jpg.8645b7ac56f1fed60b5eba13737742bd.jpg

Riviere st maurice between Two Bridges in grand mere tested and 12-14 inches of ice. river has been staked and also Direction St Tite. TQ23 crossing Trail up river not verified as yet. Club message is need one good storm to fill the ditches and cover rocks in places. good news is most signage is already in place and when the snow arrives its gonna be quicker to open trails.

220 miles today over to Tourville and Saint Pamphile great riding if you’re not up here, you’re missing out!

As Mike said great day of riding out towards Rimouski here a some pictures for proof, enjoy!

Looking like a pretty nice arrival the next few days for many regions. 30-40 cm if so then game on many places full open

Someone asked. Here it is. We loved Bernard. What a character. https://youtu.be/G8zgCEGMB7M?si=GJLBYGg1A2jNOgzL

24 December -9c snow yesterday and overnight 4-5” getting there but need more to see action here

And here……heading towards LSJ on the same morning December 26th 2003 staying here years ago alone in the bunkhouse was not something I would have thought would ever happen again…..but here I am again. And I have to say it’s been damn awesome. Wish my normal partner Jeff could have come but it didn’t work out. Having this place all to yourself is quite a surreal experience and the snow, trails, weather, my sled and the people here have all been FAN FU&Ci*G tastic. Plan on doing another 60-70 miles right after breakfast and heading back home. If I’m lucky I’ll be home by 11 pm thanks for following along and hope to see some fellow QR’s this season

Well we're riding. Left Sainte Anne du Lac yesterday. Ran up the centre club trail (233 I think). It started out really good. Caught up to the groomer 40 kms in. Got rough once we passed him. Stayed that way till we got to TQ33 which was better. From 100 lac du suds to fer a cheval was immaculate. 9.5 out of 10. We ate like kings last night at Fer a cheval. This morning we headed south on TQ13. Was disappointed to see the groomer hadn't moved last night and the 40 kms south from fer a cheval was rough. It got better at the Piteman club boundary. Not perfect but better. Fueled up at Notawassi and headed out to club Gatineau for lunch. What a fun trail. It was in good shape and we made good time. After lunch rode back to Notawassi and then headed back into town. This was where the terrible part started. Rough, rough and rougher on this section of TQ13. Corners and hilltops spun bare. Back in town now and it looks like the groomer has been out locally. So maybe tomorrow will be better. From what we've seen the area got hit hard on the weekend traffic wise and a lot of it hasn't been fixed yet. Maybe tonights the night. A couple inches of new snow so far this week. I'd say there's 2 feet on the ground in the north. Closer to a foot at Sainte Anne du lac and less at Mont Laurier (based on what we saw driving in). Trails are busy, but not stupid. Maybe saw 30 sleds all day. I'm sure the weekend was worse. Seen some rocks and branches, but not bad. Haven't ran across a single washout that i would have to get my skis wet in. If you're looking to ride it's definitely winter here. Mixed bag based purely on traffic and grooming schedules. They have the snow and it's getting colder. My apologies, but didn't stop for any pics. Maybe tomorrow.

Ended up coming up Thursday night. 319 miles today, left Valinouet and did a loop to Forestville and back. Dinner at the Chapelle, met the groomer on the way back all in all a 8/10 Quebec day! Tomorrow heading west staying north of the lake, could be 200 miles could be 300, we'll see

Was riding with Mike today in RDL here are some pictures i took, Very good riding here if you have any questions as to if you should come the answer is yes!

Slim snow in places , but mostly pretty good ! Get out n ride 🙂

We did a loop up around the reservoir by land to Opiciwan village , then returned to Barrage Gouin by the ice . Awesome loop.!

Friggin awesome Moose Valley run. Thanks Padragon for taking the pictures. Great happy hour with Eastmark and Lisa. Club houses seem to have cut back on hours and days. St. Pamphile club club looks closed for the winter At Swuatec, in town gas station pumps are closed.. Go 35 east and watch for signs for other gas station.

The misses said she wanted to go for a ride, so we hit the road ASAP. Wednesday we toured the Mitchi via the Horseshoe and Cent lacs. Today we went over to Club Gatineau. Kevin is really putting in the work at Gatineau. Hats off to him. Highlights of the trip were meeting up with old friends Guy and Natalie, and getting to meet another fellow QR for the first time, Gaf and his crew from western NY. We enjoyed some good laughs that night. 🍻

Happy New Year to all Quebec Riders.

So…like I was saying the only other time I drove to Relais 22 was almost 21 years ago to the day. It was Christmas night December 25th and the owner at the time “Robert” knew I was coming. My family excused me after noon time Christmas lunch and I jumped right in a Chevy Venture van ain’t a two place trailer and bolted out. Got here at 11 pm. It was raining in LaTuque and all the way up here and the road had turned to ice. How I got that van into here is something I’m still pondering. I had a brand new (first to me Rev 800) and was determined to try it out. The rain was concerning and the next morning conditions were doable but not ideal and I remember thinking what have I done. Well….after pulling out of the 22 on the morning of the 26th literally with in miles I noticed the snow was getting deeper and deeper. I made it to Roberval and spent the night. Back to the 22 the next day and drove all the way back to NY. here….the sled on the trailer in the parking lot

Return to SMDS today , few inches of fresh heading out of Gouin. Warm for January, 20°f Snowing pretty decent all the way to Kanawata.. splash of 2.90 a quart go juice and off across the lake i a full blind snow squall 😀 Pass by Repo , not stop ... One person's option but I'd classify as a zoo ! Finish by lakes mostly , some Tq33 . Really thin in town and 32°f Enjoyable trip with a great group !

The locals were happy to see us 🐕

sunday 1/12/2025

I was there twenty years ago this coming week. My sled burnt to the ground on the way back in Les Escoumins. My Irish friend enjoyed a "Brownie Eruption" at Mike's Restaurant in Sept Isles.

That would indeed be a mega loop, and the stars would have to line up..... I did something similar on a motorcycle in September 2004. I left NH and made my way to Baie-Comeau via the ferry at Matane. Then up to Labrador city. Then 350 miles across the Trans Labrador Gravel way to Goose Bay. From there a 12 hour overnight ferry ride to Cartwright, Labrador. I was lucky because it was a Tuesday, and the next ferry was Saturday. I understand there is a road now. From Cartwright it was another 440 Klicks as I recall (Of More Gravel)to Blanc-Sablon, Quebec where I took the ferry across the strait to the Rock. From there I rode to Channel-Port Aux Basques and took the Ferry to North Sydney, NS and made my way back to NH. I was lucky traveling alone on those remote gravel roads with no type of satellite communication. Very fortunate to not have any flats. I was riding a heavy street bike. 2001 Honda Goldwing. I put 221,000 miles on the bike, I rode it in every state and every Canadian Province with the exceptions of Hawaii and Nunavut. I always wished they would make a snowmobile.......

Posted one hour ago from club Resurfacers in the trails since last night. They will be in action day and night to work the falling snow until Friday. The following trails are scheduled to open by Saturday morning at the latest: -TQ5 in its entirety -TQ35 from Rivière Rimouski (boundary with Club de l'Etang du Moulin) to St-Narcisse -Most local trails -578 from Montée Industrielle turret to CN viaduct For the remainder of 578, operators will assess the amount of snow received in the area and a decision will be made thereafter. The section of the TQ35 between St-Narcisse and Esprit Saint is closed for reasons you already know. A little more patience and we'll finally be able to say happy season !!!!! Here's hoping it lasts as long as possible!

1/6/25 Simple ride back to Forestville passing by Chanail du Nord again. Was -20°f again this morning at Itouk.. making ice for sure quickly. Canyon trail was groomed and around Forestville seemed all flat as well... for those that like that kinda thing 😉 Until next time, Cheers

Hello everyone, Despite the snow and cold of a few days ago, our trails unfortunately remain closed. Our surfacing team is working hard to break up the trails and freeze the marshes and streams they pass over. List of trails groomed for the first time : - Amos to St-Edmond (T93, R309) - Amos to St-Dominique (R307) - Amos to Domaine Berry (T93, R396) Trails surfaced once: - Amos to La Motte (T93, R307, R316) Please note that although the trail to La Motte has been groomed once, some sections are still difficult to walk, so it remains closed for the time being. The weather over the next few days may slow the progress of the work, but rest assured that our volunteers are doing their utmost to prepare the 314km of trails served by our club. Thank you for your understanding. Here's hoping more favourable weather conditions arrive soon!

I believe the trails dont receive the approved status on the website until they are inspected. This was due to the insurance companies insuring the FMCQ mandating the trails were inspeced. Someone sued the FMCQ two seasons ago and won a hugh settlement. The new process takes time.

and a beautiful version of "Ringy dang do" on the guitar if anyone remembers that one. It was a priceless classic !!!!

Just got back from my morning run up to Rivière Trenche and back. Another beautiful day. Was going to load her up but I think since I’m here I will head the 83 quest towards Wemo for 20 miles or so and see how the groomer is doing because that’s the way he went a couple 2,5 hrs ago hey……someone’s got to do it

Local ride out of Itouk with the owner Luc and his friend Francois some of there spots ! High of about zero°f today . Went to the top of what's said to be the highest peek in the Valin mounts. Awesome dinners here at Itouk !

In 2006 when David and I started in the quest of vacationing in the winter for 10 plus days I remember that 150 to 175 days was the best we were comfortable doing. Riding 2006 and 2005 renegades. Plus we were always off the trails by 4 to 4 30. Very tired also. Jump ahead to 2022 on brand new sleds we rode 2200 miles in 10 days and most times were still off the trails by 4 30. We weren't really that tired by days end. I guess what I'm getting at is the sleds are so much better in handling and comfortable you do ride faster and when something happens it's going to be bad. At the time we did the trip I had just turned 70. I think everyone should just think about your life and family each year we venture out on our wonderful enjoyment of our snowmobile. So please everyone be safe this year and make sure everyone makes it home to the families.

Bastards! 😀 Enjoy and thanks for sharing

I guess I will respond to my own question , We trailered and dropped at Low , ran railbed to Maniwaki for lunch and then back to Low . Only 170 km total but railbed was 9/10 so well worth the 1.5 hr drive .

lol, I've been in the old Tahoe, this was one of those extra long work vans previous to the Tahoe. Another time got to the pick up spot (Hotel Colibri?) around 8 PM. Had to wait 3 hours for the driver to get back from a party to take us south across the river. Arrived at my truck around 4 AM at the club house in Beauceville, the club that wants your truck key while you're away in case they need to move it for snow plowing. Of course the club was closed. Luckily I had my spare truck key on me just in case this happened.

This is a huge loss in my opinion. Have had many trips that we did a loop over on the Ferry and back on the shuttle. A nice 5 day loop from Point a la Croix-Cabano-Pont Rouge- KM31-Forestville/Baie Comeau-Matane-PALC. Agree with above comments, the shuttle was sketchy by times. Remember loading the sled inside and could see the ground outside....but the sled never fell out LOL. Watched them put a new wheel bearing on the trailer right before our trip one time, he could not find the grease cap, he said no worries and away we went. The loss of the Shuttle is the same as the loss of a trail. Another small piece of the adventure lost.

50th Anniversary of first Trans Quebec trail this January 2025. Bob Petit's dream has come true. Six years of hard work, a multitude of telephone calls, countless trips and travel, and a strong sense of volunteerism - all these factors have enabled Bob Petit to make his dream a reality. From January 28 to February 1, twenty-three snowmobilers will cover the distance between Mont-Laurier and Quebec City. Thanks to the collaboration of numerous snowmobile clubs and the management of Parc du Mont-Tremblant, it is now possible for snowmobilers to travel a distance of 803 kilometers on perfectly groomed trails. What's more, these same snowmobilers are guaranteed to find places where they can refuel, eat and sleep. Festivities are planned for the end of January 2025.

Thanks a bunch for posting this Ice. Took me a minute to remember the name and what this guy accomplished. I just googled him and learned in stories and articles things I never knew about him. He lives in St Jean de Matha on Lac Noir where my buddy Andre’s parents live. I have spent many a night there, travelled across the lake many times on snowmobile and even by boat in summer. It was here at Lac Noir where he started the first section of the Trans 3 to the village of St Jean de Matha. It is also the place he nearly died in a snowmobile accident that left him in a coma and convalescent for over 6 months. I never knew those pieces of history and probably never would have. Next time while in the area I’m going to make it a point to find where he lives on Lac Noir and knock on his door, sir, you don’t know me but I’m just an old American guy who has been coming to Quebec for years enjoying the fabulous trail system here. It’s been a huge part of my life and I just wanted to shake the hand of the guy who started it all and made it possible. thank you again sir !!

RIP Bernard. My friend Bob G recorded that video after he and another guy in our group got a ride back from L Etape that afternoon. We were on our way south from LSJ and it was -40. We stopped for gas and a soup warm-up on the way back from Alma and I mentioned it was so cold I wouldn't mind skipping the last bit of the ride. We hunted around L'Etape for lodging but the only thing that existed then was Sepaq. They weren't too friendly and had a big group of eco tourists there. Bob called Bernard who arranged for someone to drive Bob's truck and trailer to take him and our other friend and sleds back to the Safari. The rest of us rode on and met the 2 others back at Safari the next afternoon. Bob and Matt had a Hek of a time and drank it up with Bernard and other guests that evening. RIP to Bob G as well. We met through sledding and Bob G joined us on multiple trips I planned. He passed away a few years ago from some form of cancer. We were carrying pocket digital cameras then. Holy shit.

Happy Holidays to all and may those groomers smclelan speaks of be night time groomers on their side of the trail. LOL Lets all pray 2025 turns out to be a stellar snowmobile season !!!