Leaderboard

Yesterday Sunday February 18, 2024, we rode from St-Michel des Saint to Marineau Mattawin round trip for a 306Kms total After the last weekend thaw(11-12 feb) the south of my area was very thin and some clubs had stop grooming waiting for new snow. It was still possible to start riding from home but we wanted to ride some nice, wide and faster trail so we did a trailer run and dropped at the village of St-Michel des Saints. In St-Michel village it's thin but rideable and we directly reached the Taureau reservoir to take the trail toward auberge Taureau. The ride on the reservoir is rather rough, there was traffic when it was slushy and it refroze like that. If you have the heart strong enough to move between 100 and 200 feet away from the stakes it is very nice and flat and a new path formed there with many tracks but there is an associated risk and I cannot officially recommend it to you, the safe option is close the stakes. The reservoir is not at its lowest yet but must be lowered by a good 25-30 feet already Trail #33 past the Taureau Auberge is a little brownish in the short section that is near the beach but when you enter on the forest road just a little further it is very nice There are some short spots with dirty snow or a few rocks but 95%+ that's it We went around the Taureau reservoir on the west side and continued on #360 towards the east. The trail base was very hard with a thin layer of loose snow and new snow, very fast conditions but icy enough to have to be careful in some curves The Mattawin River has decreased in flow a bit but it hasn't been very cold this year and there are still long sections at clear water We took a break at 440 halt, my prefered break spot. Beautiful view on the river The whole old path of #360 is very nice. When you enter the woods at the height of the old M20 there is some dirt in the snow on some curves but still beautiful overall, the same thing on the fast sections of the detour further on which come to join the edge of the river before the point of view The section in the woods after the viewpoint up to the bridge was a little less beautiful but OK. The bridge was quite dry so we took out the rouskis We left St-Michel at 9:30 a.m. and arrived at Marineau at 12:30 p.m. with 153km on the dreameter We had a very good big meal there, love this place! As luck would have it, I also met a retired work colleague and his wife who I hadn't seen for ten years! they live on the south shore of St-Laurence river and were passing there by car, a great unplanned encounter! We took the same exact route for return, The sun had hidden and it was snowing a little. Here the point of view. We went at the edge of the Taureau dam for a short break and we started it again towards St-Michel We came across the St-Michel dozer which was starting its grooming run a few kms north of the Taureau Auberge. I have to take my hat off to these snowmobile clubs, in this case St-Michel and Mattawin who work hard and do miracles with the little snow they have to give us beautiful trails... Thank you!!! And we were back to the trailer around 4:45 p.m. with 306km for the ride, very happy with our run. It had a bit of new snow yesterday there and at home as well, and even a bit more in Mauricie where my partner Snowcruiser told me around 6 inches of new stuff. We would need more than that to optimize all the trails but at least it help to greenish the trail map on Imotoneige! We were hoping for better at mid february but it's hard to argue with mother nature! We still hope for more snow and cold but in the mean time the groomers do miracles with what they have and it's still possible to do some great sledding. My video camera cooperated very well during the ride and I should be able to post some video footage from this ride soon. Alain

Truck to Lac Bouchette to Auberge Eva. Not viable to leave from Shawinigan. Monkey wrench right out of gate, Got 5 strong this run. With snohorse, nhmoose, Mark and Phil. We had complications with the 850etec backcountry. No fire, turned over no go. Recalculate. Tough decision. Got spare bullet in my garage 3 hrs by road 3 hours back. Freeride is there ready to run. Or go for DRC Sport in Alma and try to get in on Monday morning for a diagnosis. Snohorse is adamant we go to dealer and try it. Arrive there in Alma at 7:26 am 2 guys already waiting outside. I go over to talk with them and service manager opens door says we can wait inside but don’t open till 8am. We get acquainted and he assures me he will get us in and looked at. We get in and by 10:15 we are good changed 2 fouled plugs. Truck back to Eva to catch up with NHmoose and crew. Left Eva noon. Icy straight out from Eva but very good. different kind of year this season will keep you honest. Further north we go the better. 355 to 83 to local orange past St Hedgewich. Then local orange to La dore then 93 up to 373 junction then u turn back down 93 to orange to chef then to 93 and to Pouvoirie La Dore. only 5 here tonight private party just for us. Stephane, Cynthia , Alex and Meti. Great gang here. Love it here. get here and encourage them. First year on I motoneige second winter open. Well worth tge stop. Trails very rideable and it’s now or never. Get out or miss out.

Day 1, word of the day….Thin! Got 2” overnight made it nice leaving RDL. Never seen it so thin here in February. Trails pretty smooth, not enough snow to be rough. Snirt is gone with the fresh snow. Get out of town and take 5 East. Rimouski Club says stay on 5 for best conditions. Hasn’t been our experience but let’s try it. Away from town coverage not bad. Once we get to Trois Pistoles it’s actually pretty nice. Continue on 5 to the 35 outside of Rimouski. Traffic is light all day groomers are doing their thing. Meet back up with 5 East to 587 short cut to 5 at Padoue. Took the 5 all the way to Matane to the Riotel. Very scratchy in town, basically blacktop and dirt.

Yesterday we rode from Delta to Otis Nature. First 8 miles until you cross the second bridge were lots of rocks, snirt and dirt. One of the Sidewinders kept overheating. After the second bridge a Huge improvement. Flat smooth. Couldn't go WOT as there is ice beneath a thin layer of snow, corners very icy. Goof smoked meat at Otis Nature. 110 miles. Today took 83 S to Auberge du Ravage. Much better getting out from the Delta. Lots of open straight trials where you could go WOT. Nice lunch at the Ravage. 87 Octane gas at the Ravage is 2.50/liter. Was a great day for 160 miles. Tomorrow we're going to head North again and shoot for Auberge KM 31. Will post tomorrow. Overall, it's still better then work. Sled wheels are a really nice to have in the Delta parking lot. Completely bare asphalt Fred

Late start this morning around 9:30 since the ol lady doesn't like -10F snowmobiling. Rode over to the cave, Begin, Nature Otis, up to 373 across to Onatchiway, then back down 373 to the Ski Mountain 170 miles. Heading south to the cave over to Begin that first 60 miles was nothing to write home about, the rest of the way was good to excellent, met 2 groomers on the way home. Tomorrow heading for the frozen waterfall, possibly Sacre Couer loop if they groom and she's motivated enough. Better than sitting home on the couch, but definitely not usual Quebec conditions as we knew it wouldn't be.

Day 3. Escoumins to Baie Comeau. 175 miles. Another sunshine day made for mild temperatures in the high teens. Trails were very good, except for about 30 miles, which were OK, but had chop in all the turns.The building by the water in the last picture is our hotel for the night. Le Manior

At the last minute I decided to drive to RDL two days ago, on Sunday. Didn't have much hope for great riding, but was going stir crazy sitting around the house. I also heard SkiDoo invited the sled magazine press to Quebec starting Sunday to ride the 2025 sleds. Several years ago they did this same thing and stayed at the Universel in RDL. It was great getting to talk to the factory guys. Turns out (found out today) this time around they went northeast of Montreal. Driving up thru Maine, Jackman actually looked pretty decent. The Chaudierre region of Quebec looked like toast, no riding there. In fact I didn't really see good snow until about 30 miles before RDL. Pulled into RDL seeing bare tar everywhere. Yuck!!! Less than an inch of new snow fell Sunday night. Today I finally decided to unload the sled and take a look around the area. Anyone who has been here knows how big the hotel parking lot seems when it is bare tar. Onto the trail heading for the clubhouse. Snirt, dirt, some ice, and more snirt. This may be a short ride. I remember my January trip here, 1,800 miles of low snow but perfect conditions, except on the last day when the warm up came. Drive by the club house, closed today. Thinking head South and SW. In the blink of an eye, or maybe someone spiked my morning coffee with magic mushrooms, I was in the middle of all out winter, a true winter wonderland. Beautiful packed powder, groomed to perfection, trees coated in white,and what appeared to be a better snow depth than my January trip. Giddy up MXZ baby. Further I got, it appeared this area got half a foot of fluff Sunday night. I did a 100 mile loop that was 5 star riding, every bit as good as the 5 star meal I had last night at Hotel Levesque. Quick meal at Exploreteur Clubhouse. Eventually made my way north to trail 5. The last few miles of trail 5 was much lower snow pack but still really nice except for a couple snirts here and there. Since arriving here, weather forecast changed from a cold week to a gradual warm up starting tomorrow and rain later in the week. Hopefully I can remember to bring my camera on tomorrow's ride. Several groups left for Gaspe in the past few days. Just saw one sled return via flat bed a few minutes ago. mike

funny think every now and then seen 850 etech foul a plug...haven't seen 2 at once...trying to index the gap so it points towards the injector was a service tip early on...but never found a us dealer with the index washers....plugs use to be 5 minutes...now next to impossible on the trail without a little knowledge and the right tools...hopefully that is your last problem.

Day 4. today we traveled 180 miles from Baie Comeau to Sept-tiles. Last 125 miles was slot, car fast and smooth. Had about 15 miles of rough stuff 25 miles east of Baie Comeau. Woke up to bright sunshine again this morning. Tomorrow we start heading back on similar route that got us here.

Day 2 -24c this morning beautiful stay at La Dore here. Awesome place awesome people. we will see where it takes us today.

Beautiful sunshine all day albeit a lil on the cool side 93 was in top shape all the way up. Great ride All tucked into our cozy cabin at the Marina for the night. Sandra and her partner are great hosts Gowser

Looks like a great spot to be at , always looking for cool new places to stay have a great ride and like most I’ll be monitoring from the couch

Staying in Alma now trails coming out of town were little rough not horrible but once outside of town it got pretty good. We got a late start(noon) due to my sled breaking(secondary came apart) 20miles in so had to limp back and get my buds backup sled to ride. We rode 93 over to pic du le dos de cheval for some summit pictures and went over and got dinner at yourte bistro by the ski mountain. The only thing I noticed bad was there is a lot of ice under the groomed snow so be careful. My bud slid backwards down the hill going up to the ski resort for gas lol. Trying to get parts this morning so probably another late start. I posted some pics on freedom sledder I can’t get them to work here for some reason.

Figured I’d post on here in case anyone wants to follow along or is curious of conditions. Trucked up from PA up to Amos at the Amosphere 14hr run but bluebird day made travel easy. Pretty good amount of snow here considering how crappy a year it is grooming map shows lots of activity, so should be some excellent riding. Just doing day trips and big loops each day from Amos might head to Mattagami tomorrow will post report and pics.

Brisk -31 when we left Chibougamau this am Didn’t warm up much all day but 93 was carpet all the way to Quevillion 😎

Beautiful sunshine all day yesterday albeit a lil on the cool side 93 was in top shape all the way up. Great ride All tucked into our cozy cabin at the Marina for the night. Sandra and her partner Karl are great hosts -31 to start today Gowser

Heading that way next week, enjoy. Thank you for the pics and info.

Very nice to see snow on the bridge...good mileage for a crew that big...have a great day tomorrow...nice section you are heading into.

I agree, I have felt it is the larger launch points ( Cities ) that are not seeing\realizing the economic impact of our involvement in their areas. I'll use Jonquiere area as an example. The main trail ( 83 ) has been moved and rerouted and cut-off and rerouted through the town and you get the feeling the Town does not give a crap or see us as a valuable resource. The club(s) has fought for us over and over again. So with a drop in length of season this year and fewer sleds..... will it open the eyes of the business communities...??? Will it translate into more acceptance as a revenue engine and an embracing of the fact you want the Trailz running to your door not pushed out to the periphery. Just thinking out loud. GutZ

I'm pretty certain that the affected businesses and many of the public especially in small and remote areas already know the value of snowmobilers to their business. The impact may not always be positive as there are many "entitled" sledders out there. Although they are the minority the results of their actions are felt and remembered more than the majoritys actions. I can tell you from more than 30 years of club and trail work experience that reroutes and trail closures are not something the clubs want to do (just more work for volunteers to do) but are a necessity based on circumstances. JMHO

A measly 24k for a million dollar bridge 220 feet long at a height over river with view of falls at 75 feet high Finally a permanent bridge in St-Georges!!!! 🤩 No more waiting after the ice! Trail 75 linking St-Georges to Beauceville! A lot of work and hard work! But we got it :) 👌 Club Motoneige Beauceville Inc #Motoneigebeaucesud Motoneige Beauce Sud 03-355 Hello snowmobiling friends of the Chaudière Appalaches. A team of volunteers is currently working to complete the financial arrangements for a new bridge over the Rivière Famine in St-Georges. Once completed, it will offer an incredible view of the Plamondon Falls. The project also includes the redevelopment of trails on both sides of the river. To date, business owners, our Members of Parliament, snowmobile clubs, Bombardier Recreational Products and the Desjardins Grand Fund have joined us in offering donations to help us realize this project, which is so important to all snowmobilers on Trail 75. Factory construction of the bridge has begun at structures SBL in St-Benoit, and the project is being carried out by Construction Binet. Excavation Lapointe et Fils will carry out the approaches and earthworks required to bring the bridge into place in 4 sections. As you can see, it's a big challenge for a small team of volunteers. Fellow snowmobilers who will be using this bridge during your 2025 outings, we need your help to finalize the project. A donation would be greatly appreciated. Each time you visit us, you'll be proud to have participated in this project for the snowmobiling family. The volunteer team looks forward to meeting you. To make a donation, contact Serge Lessard at: 581 372-1758

As always, thanks for great report and pictures. It's nice to see that there are some good trail conditions. We wer up in riviere du loup 2/3-2/7/24, trails were very good. Pictures are on 2/4/24 on the sentier haricana (orange 🍊 trail) out of rdl.

Great write up Mike ! The pisser is a typically common 8-10” snowfall we would be near prime time most all areas there ….but it’s just not happening. Glad you found some sweet spots !

Enjoy the ride guys!

Probably burned the skis off.

cha-cha-chilly! GutZ

Thanks! My Goodness are these damn things getting expensive, especially considering the lack of snow the past 4 years.

Awesome! Glad you liked it.

Great read and pics...been over that low old wooden bridge many times...very surprised it hasn't been ungraded...hope some more snow comes for you

Nice report. Believe I saw your group getting ready to leave the Universel this morning. I should have said hi, but it looked like you folks were hurrying to get out on the trail. Have a great trip. mike

Du Jardin told us when booking that the restaurant was open on Saturday night and Sunday morning, but not open Sunday night (Superbowl night). No problem, we can work around that. As it turned out they opened Sunday night in a limited capacity. Pizza, wings, mozzarella sticks for in room only. Perfect for our superbowl party. Monday morning, restaurant closed, no breakfast. Munched on trail food we all carried and got an early start.

Exactly. Happened to us last week. Coming down from Saint Felicien to Mattawin. Got to LaTuque. Just got gas and was sitting on sled talking with one of the guys while the rest of the group was in the convenience store getting something to drink. Just happened to look at the app on the phone. Crap, we have a problem! What? 355 is closed for about 20 miles leaving LaTuque. Wait, 345 is also closed from the dam to LeCabanon. Got rooms at Marineau LaTuque and a rental pickup truck from the Dodge dealer. Drove to LeCabanon to retrieve the trucks and trailers the next morning. Some debate on whether or not we would have made it. Overall group decision was to pull the plug. North was very nice.

Is this the same operation? The Sled Den. . . https://www.gaspe-snowmobile-adventures.com/snowmobile-rental-house.html

In the restaurant now, very thin snow here at the hotel. Not looking for exceptional just rideable. Place is a ghost town

Here at RDL it is starting to spit snow with a few inches forecast tonight. If I understood two men in the lobby a short time ago speaking broken English, I think they said good snow east of RDL.

Just back from the Delta, so a quick update. The Grooming Teams are doing a great job with what they have to work with,,,,,, but they dont have much to work with around town and in the lower elevations. With all the traffic from the foreigners ( hahahahaha) the trails are not holding a grooming long, smoother on the way out, than a few hours later, stutters back in. It was great seeing everyone! Please set your expectations appropriately..... Later GutZ

i seem to do what this trucker did here now and then stay right.....and this will SURELY happen to you (more times than you would like) throughout your snowmobiling life

I have NEVER seen this board this quiet, conditions non existent damn near everywhere, and moral so down in the snowmobiling community. It is literally depressing beyond comprehension. I guess we all have so many other things in life to be thankful for and I’m sure we all are in our own ways (and so am I) but anyone reading this is a tried and true die hard snowmobiler and knows what it takes to be one. Countless hours, money, time and devotion to try and get a couple days/weeks every year doing what we all love so much. To see it all go to complete shit is sad beyond belief. o.k. enough ranting. But this is how I truly feel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C28S0rKgbOU/?igsh=Mzc3ZTVlOWMwZA==

Not just super-proud of your riding, but super-mega-proud that your English expression is better than most!

l’Etape 369 Friday night

Saturday Feb 10 Rain and freezing rain overnight. Got up to survey situation 7:30. Not raining, radar showing worst is past so, off to breakfast then we will make a go out to check things out. Its warm though. Dressed down best we could, first damn helmet I had that doesn’t leak air. Solid and warm. Mrs Ice has to do class work for monday so we are going out and around back early. The plan was perfectly timed as we returned to Univerel it began to rain again an still gray and sprinkling on and off. Left hotel and another first this trip, I neglected to mention yesterday it was the first time for Mrs to negotiate through a pack of 5 two up sleds as we passed. I will let her tell you. Nicely done. Cleanly safely and politely. As could be. Today the first is over the bridge right here to the orange trail. Hey it’s the little milestones that keep me going. This is a new trail for me as was the 518 yesterday. Still nice here but we are sweating, Jackets open and snow soft. Too warm to enjoy. But not raining. Orange local along the 20 to St Andre here to 559 boney along roads and crossings. It is what it is. Otherwise very nice. Greens and orange. Everyone touring running TQ 5 and it shows. 559 to TQ 5 east to 561 the to Club house for a break there. The 526 is next it was showing some use. Too warm but starting to get more cloudy and windy. One two up and a single holding us up a bit. The two up leading is one you have those dreams about. The one where you are in you lane minding your business and round next turn comes this guy keeping cemter left. Wow. Caro was leading us and she said I am so afraid watching this guy. Afraid I am going to see something I don’t want to. She gets it. Very proud of her progress she soaks it all in. The force is strong in this one. Finally they go left on orange to join TQ5 we continue 526 up to TQ85 railbed bike path holdind up great, after relay at TQ5/85 here its got some ugly looking spots by peat moss bogs. Bad. Into town not worst i seen. Asphalt all bare basically everywhere. back with whopping 75 miles but Wife had fun and so did we, too warm now starting to rain again. This adventure is being called. Until next time RDL We will return will it be this year? Who knows Mrs Ice gets all credit for photography

Friday Ride continues From St Fabien sur mer we return up local orange all beautiful trail here. Roads less traveled. Back to the 518 and to TQ5. The TQ5 is a 7/10 from 518 all the way to RDL. Showing wear many corners. We roll on in back to Universel 305 km. Dinner at Restaurant 7:30 reservation in and seated boom. Not as busy as night before but busy. Not full. They seem to have it running smoothly tonight and they do just that. Delicious dinner

Going to give you a bit more. Then bedtime. we are going nowhere it’s out n back 2 days from here Universel.. Got some new hardware and trying it out while getting mrs ice some much deserved seat time. (She gets very little) nature of the game. Sena 50s awesome. Group mesh and love it. CKX Mission Carbon helmets. Why I waited till now i do not know. Game changing comfort and vision. Badass. Wheels down February 9 at RDL. This is a special year. That’s it. It is what it is and if you want to ride you can make it happen simple as that. Bitching about it or wondering how it will hold up is a waste of energy. Close to hotel is boney i have seen worse and rode worse returning here before. Not far out much better we left with no set plan. Following what felt good. 526 to TQ85 to First orange we can find. Let’s Go. early morning TQ85 nice and then orange fresh groomed. Beautiful. up orange to 544 another beauty very few sleds and great trail. new helmets are sweet. now 571 and another stunner. Real nice. Then to TQ5 to the trail of the day 518. WOW WOW WOW, never rode this it is spectacular east n 518 to local orange down to Fabien sur mer. To a scenic overlook just niot the best day for the views. But awesome riding. Gassed on the orange there right on the 132 been by on the road never on sled here. to be continued

Thanks for the info Mike, heading up to RDL on Sunday.

I can't remember the trail numbers, but basically #85 south past RDL clubhouse, continue 85 south onto RR bed, left onto orange trail 40?, then onto green trails to St Cyprien and then Squatec. Gas up in Squatec, jump on 35 east for about 15 or so miles and watch for well posted sign (right turn) to MV. When you get to NB border you can bear right or left to get to MV, About 240 miles round trip. Believe MV only takes cash, no cards. Lunch time is usually packed, best to get an early start. Gas usually available but expensive. Some high speed running so plan to get not so great mpg. Fantastic run, beautiful.

Shows it was groomed around 6:30 last night.