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Let’s welcome QR’s newest advertiser, the Hotel Universel in Rivière du Loup. For anyone who wants to tour the Gaspe, this is the perfect starting point since it’s easily accessible by truck off of highway 20, with secure parking and all of the amenities of a large city and hotel. The city and hotel are easily accessible by many different snowmobile trails and all of the major sled dealers are nearby. The amenities are too long to list, but include secure parking, two restaurants, indoor pool and spa, WiFi, and great television. The hotel has over 200 rooms, but you should still make reservations, especially on weekends and holidays. On your visit to the Universel, don’t be surprised to run into fellow Quebecrider members, and feel free to chat about your trip in the forums.

The North Shore certainly is a place to explore, my last visit was back in '99 until 2 seasons ago when I went up to Forestville a couple times to ride some QR guys from here then last season I rode the North Shore on two occasions. Really hard to decide between the Gaspe and the North shore they both have unique features. From my experiences trail 3 up to Sept Isles is a good run, almost anybody can manage when groomed, beautiful scenery, look outs, gorges to nice Relaiss. Beyond Sept Isles is just as beautiful but untamed, more of a touch'n go situation and would require a skilled group to continue on. I've experienced it both ways and believe me if you're not prepared you're going no where. Trail 3 ends in Baie Johan Beetz about 100 klms after Havre St.Pierre which is another touch'n go trail, could be groomed could not be, better have some gps tracks. Beyond Baie Johan Beetz theres no more grooming and it's game on (GPS a must have) until La Route Route Blanche begins in Kegaska where the trail is maintained, groomed (to some degree) and well marked right up to Blanc Sablon but the area is as barren and rural as ever. From Kegaska is where the hwy 138 ends and here on in you're very much on your own, you'll be needing back up plans and to be prepared to stay a night in the bush for a rescue should it come to that. Remember the guys that wrote the article did a U turn in Sept Isles. If you're able I would suggest to continue on past Sept Isles up the coast for an adventurous trip you'll remember for the rest of your life.

So are you saying spend the kids inheritance?

I have to choose one. Options I'm looking at are Quebec City to Mont Valin / Saguenay and back (make a loop) Gaspe (Matane to Perce and back in a loop) St Lawrence tour (Quebec City - Baie Comeau - Matane - Quebec City) No more than 300 km a day as riding with my wife. Never been to any of these areas yet.

300 miles shy of flipping 20k I'm shocked no dealer will take it as a trade

Great to see The Universal as an advertiser on QR. Be sure to tell them you heard about them on QuebecRider when you check in.

It is no secret that I love the Universel Hotel and stay there several weeks each winter. It is a great place to to meet up with old and new QuebecRider friends, and enjoy a drink or some food together. Thanks to CKF and Scorpionbowl for all they did to get the Universel on board. Hope to see all of you there this winter. And a big welcome to the very wonderful staff at the Universel. mike

WooHoo Thanks for letting us know!! Bumped into many a QR there! GutZ

Alerts for: Mauricie Statements 3:47 PM EST Wednesday 07 November 2018 Special weather statement in effect for: Lac-aux-Sables area Louiseville area Matawin - Mauricie National Park area Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade area Shawinigan area Trois-Rivières area Snow is knocking on the door! A major low pressure system from the Southern United States will bring precipitation in the form of snow over several Quebec regions during the next few days. The snow is expected to begin Friday afternoon in Western Quebec and will gradually spread eastward on Friday night. In addition, the development of a second low pressure system along the Eastern American seaboard, will allow snow to intensify mainly over Central and Eastern Quebec on Saturday. Given the uncertainty that reigns regarding the track of this second system, snowfall amounts could be quite varied from one region to another. For the moment, all areas north of St Lawrence River could get snowfall accumulations. Over higher grounds, amounts could easily exceed 15 centimetres and possibly reach 30 centimetres.

Probably longer than 2 weeks. Info on groomer passing contest coming soon.

Again thanks all for the well wishes. Was back in my Truck Friday, light duty for 3 weeks, driving only nothing too physical. Doctors say I will be stronger each day. Still a bit tired but each day is better. I had pneumonia and turns out was Legionnaires bacteria. Lucky me. 100 cases in all of Canada this year and I was one. Nothing to play with. Lucky i got to hospital when I did. There be no Mont Valin for me come Thanksgiving or Christmas or New Years. Not because I can’t. I choose patience. No hurry. I will wait for the trail to mature a bit. Thanks All for the well wishes. Yeah, sorry I blew it on the Iceman stickers on my IV machine. Too delirious to think.

Live for Today. Hell we don’t even know what it will be like in two weeks. Forget next year. Buy the sled, life is short.

WHEN WILL THE GROOMER PASS ICEMANS PLACE?

IF I COULD REGISTER ONE OF THOSE TYPHOONS FOR THE TRAIL I WOULD BUY ONE.

1. Gaspe 2. Gaspe 3. Gaspe 4. Mt Valin

That pic is from the lookout at Apica. You might not be able to go as far east as Sacre Coeur on day 2, in order to make it back to sweet baby St Ray under 300 kms day 3 without using 3. Maybe stay at KM31, keep in mind it might be full of Johnny stand up mountain men though. Usually a turn off for the ladies.

Saguenay would be my vote. Matane is quite a bit further in the truck. I don't believe the St. Lawrence tour you have in mind is anywhere near as scenic as the Saguenay. Here is how I would lay out the trip. Start from the Roquemont in St. Raymond. Take 23 north, bypass L'Etape and have lunch at the relais Apica, spend the night at the Universel in Alma. Head north and then west through the local trails in the mountains. Spend the night at the east side, of 93, someone will chime in for a good place to stay out near Sacre Coeur. Then head back to the truck in St. Raymond. Sure 23 two out of three days. Too much traffic near Quebec city for me. Tempting to make it a loop down 3 from Sacre Coeur using the ferry in Tadousac, but 3 near the shore is not that great. It is wind blown on the north side, and by the end of day three, trying to get through Quebec city back to St. Raymond is a PIA, downright brutal on a Sunday evening.

Godbout also ferries to Matane, I think it is the same boat that goes to Baie Comeau.

With the wife along, I would look for loops with nice/big hotels; you know, places with restaurants, plenty of amenities to keep the wife happy, especially if you get snowed in for a couple days. Probably the Saguenay/Lake St Jean area would be a good bet or the Montmagny, RDL, Matane area. Others can chime in for more specifics. mike

IF I had to categorize the 3 trips, if it helps: QC-MtValin, Easiest and Very Scenic. Gaspe, Very Scenic, Must Do, maybe not the first time with Wife. Flexibility may be key. St Lawrence tour, Adventurous, 3 Ferry Crossings, Great River Views, Rt 3 can get twisty between LaMalbae and Tadoosac. So now that's as clear as Mudd.... I'm sure others will pipe up. GutZ

Might not be a next year......

With New Trailer last year I could hide it in there...hmmmmm... She'll be "I thought your sled was Red.....", it just looks different in the trailer, no lights. LOL GutZ

I'm hoping next season.... The household Finance Commitee (I'm not on it) needs to approve. Too Big to Sneak it home. GutZ

bonsoir shore 1066 !!! i know...not the first time i hear that ... never been the guy to put acessories on my 4w !!! i rather freeze !!! ...ahaha i broke the zipper on my snowmobile pants....went to camp to fix it...made my ride shorter !!! jean-guy

If this is representative of a bad week, I'd hate to see what a terrible week would look like. Please keep the pictures coming. I enjoy viewing them. Thank you for sharing, JG

good morning greg !! first of all....snowing here !!! antlers...all moose...look slightly different...because i zoomed the pic.. mom...rubbing her neck against the tree and chewing it ...just too bad...just a few mins before darkness...camp is a 1 / 4 mile behind !!! jean-guy