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I spend six to seven weeks each winter at the RDL Universel Hotel. The hotel is awesome as a place to base out of, having two restaurants, a cozy small bar, a huge Spa, pool, saunas, hot tubs, heated sled garages, you name it. They also offer several different levels of rooms depending on your needed level of luxury. RDL also offers all types of restaurants, some within a couple blocks and many in their old downtown section of the city, a mile away, and the latter a romantic evening walking through the old downtown on a snowy evening. Caught up in a blizzard while in RDL, visit the Polaris and Skidoo dealers, both are large and impressive. Two blocks away is a small indoor mall which I hear is known for exceptionally fine high end women's clothing. But in the end, go for the RDL snowmobile experience. The trails are just plain awesomely groomed and beautiful scenery. . Great food stops along the way. And the club houses! There is a club house about every twenty five miles leaving RDL that truly offers the flavor of the area. mike

A year ago today in between Haltaparche and Parent at 12:05 p.m. It was just groomed by my friend Tony last night/this morning from Parent to Wemo What I would give to be there right now.............. And I would be willing to bet.....it looked JUST like it did last year as it does today.

This is one big problem.....You might never want to go back to riding NH & VT. Sounds exactly like my 1st phone call with New England Bob's Quebec Adventures, 20 years ago, and he was 100% right.

Similar story. I had a buddy tell me 21 yrs ago "it will be the trip of a lifetime!. Little did I know at the time it would become an addiction!!!

If you rent a cabin you will certainly having food for supper, the note was for lunch takeout at noon 👍

Hi sledfarmer! when I passed there (at Repos) on March 5, it was indicated that they were stopping the takeout food on the Sunday March 14. Also on the #33 just before the Manawan(on west side), expect a rought 1,5 or 2 miles because of a plowed road section for logging operation. The rest was perfect. Have a safe ride and enjoy!

Hopefully the border will be open by then

Universal is a great spot to stay for day tripping.Get the imotonege app it shows there the trails are being groomed and plan your day accordingly.There is lots to see in that area. l can guarantee it won’t be your only trip to Quebec.😀

As for the Universal RDL vs Richelieu.... I'm a Fairmont Fan..... But if you're there for 3 Days, and looking to do 3 loops from one location, the Universal is very good place. And Mayor Mike will most likely be in residence with good suggestions. GutZ

bonjour !!! more rock'n roll today -16c and strong winds !!! jean-guy

We have a cabin booked at Repos for Thursday night , they did not say anything about not having food ( nor did I ask ) . I'd better bring two bottles of Crown Royal just in case 😁 Was told by a fellow who was up there on the weekend that it was a bit sketchy right around sainte anne du lac but everything north was 10/10

Was thinking of heading that way as well this weekend & leaving from St Anne du lac. What intel have you heard from other outfitters regarding trails and places open?

Starting from Sainte-anne-du-lac , Repos , relais 22 , Parent and 100 Lakes will be other stops. Talked to lady at Lac Faillon on Sat , they have closed for the season and she did mention that trail to Clova was impassable .

I would agree with the above thoughts of your first trip staging out of the Universal in RDL. Lots of different daily loops and great scenery. This year is a little different then most with lower then normal snow levels, however I would recommend planning the first week of March.

This year is not a normal snowfall year. Not near as much as usual. I and many others here have gone out of Rivere du Loup most years into April no problems. First week of March is usually perfect.

It sure is.

Hah, I'm sure it's great but it's not a weekend trip. Riding out of the garage at home is pretty sweet 🙂 I just read your ride report from last week, should I be worried about booking the 1st week of March? I'd like some extra light and shoot for decent temps and weather.

Don't even say that...

What will it be like in two weeks?

This is one big problem.....You might never want to go back to riding NH & VT. Seriously though some great suggestions above. When I read your original post I thought Rivere du Loup or Four Points/Doubletree with free shuttle to see Old Quebec City.

Wow... Some awesome places to stay! I think I'm sold on the Universel RDL. On the website, it looks better than the Richelieu, not sure. Riding out of the Universel looks like a lot of options for not having to ride the same areas over and over. Maybe have to do 3 days of riding and 1 Nordic Spa day in the middle! Any special trails or points of interest we should look for on the trails? I have a GPS with GPS Trailmasters so not too worried about finding our way around. Thanks guys! I can't believe I have to wait a year. Boo..

Answered my own question , indeed they are still open.

My wife is not a big rider.... so I know the 4 Points\Doubletree had a shuttle into Old Quebec.... ( Call to Confirm ) -St Raymond to Letape and down to 4 Points, for Day one -Take the Shuttle into QC for Dinner and Shopping, Day two-ish -I believe you can do a few small looping routes to St Ray on Day 3. Just a thought... GutZ

Thanks for the tips guys, I will google through them all and come back. 🙂 She doesn't need a spa or hot tub but some of that looks awesome as we haven't done it. It's more about having a decent dinner (Think Rainbow Grill in Pittsiburg, NH for those that have been there) and not putting her on single track trails with 100 sleds coming at at us all day. 🙂

Ditto-ditto-ditto. These are central to grooming hubs & gas & restos. And anywhere anytime definitely check the morning grooming reports on fcmq/viaexplora. Delta for Saguenay. Universal RDL for Bas-St-Laurent. Cabanon for St Zenon. Roquemont St Raymond for Portneuf/etc/etc, has honeymoon suite upstairs right over the front desk & micro brew/resto on site, gotta ride 1-2 miles into city for gas & major retail. Fave "Home away from Home" Drakkar Shawinigan Sud, best local hospitality, everything a short drive or delivered, just not sure about snow conditions at this time. And yes yes yes the Manoir Richelieu is yummers, with biggest challenge getting the Mrs back onto the trails after getting a taste of the spa.

Awesome! We were booked for Grizzly Lodge but couldn't go due to closed border. So we did West Yellowstone in January. Going back next week.

bonsoir !!! march 16 th ......2020 .............and march 14 th .......2021 jean-guy

Where are you starting from? heads up on 83 between Lac Fallon and Clova

I will be there on Thursday but thinking with mild temps coming it will be all over by end of the weekend