nyskidooerinnewhampshire

Well said - great advice. Definitely better to have a few men and or women in the group that are physically capable of getting themselves out of a worse case scenario. Honestly, prior to last week if I were reading my post I would have scoffed at it. A lesson in life at a minimal expense in the end, but during the event with no "outside assistance" or "muscle" it could have been the end. No joke. You had to be there to understand it. As indicated 9" of snow had fallen - one would think no big deal as I had - but 9" of snow coupled with the Gaspe winds- was something I never experienced before & hope not to experience again. An hour and a half into the commute the white carpet my wife commented about minutes before turned into man eating snow drifts like I have never seen before. Images left to right - All were taken on Tuesday Feb 17, 2015 1st - Trail between Grand Riviere & Perce 2nd - Public road from Grand Valle to Murdochville - After 30 miles + - road ends at a "T" intersection where you access the trail on the right to Murdochville or on the left to Grand Riviere 3rd - Trail between Grand Riviere & Perce Stay safe - Thank you. Paddy O

Yes Roland in Perce is selling gas from a steel tank located in the back of his pick-up. When I filled my three sleds I took a total of 79 liters. He charged me $118 US. Depending on which approach you take into Perce consider fueling in Douglastown or Grand Riviere @ 106.4 a litre. Stay safe. Paddy O

Good morning Vince. I hope you traveled safely. My wife, daughter and I had a trip from hell but at the same time a trip of a lifetime. We found it very enjoyable but a lot of work at the same time. Fortunately we met new friends - life savers - who in my opinion will be friends for life. On Saturday Feb 14 we trailered from Pittsburg NH to Matane w/o incident - a 400 mile trip. We checked into Hotel Riotel and had an enjoyable dinner, sleep & breakfast. On Sunday morning Feb 15 we traveled by sled to St Anne w/o incident. A very COLD but enjoyable / relaxing day stopping at two relais. We slept in a beautiful hotel named "Hotel & CIE". Again our dinner, room and breakfast was very enjoyable. After breakfast we departed with intentions of traveling to Grand Valle. Before departing "Hotel & CIE" on Monday Feb 16 I cleared the 3 machines of approximately 9" of snow and it was snowing very hard and windy. About two hours into the trip the depth of the snow had compounded into 8 x 10' drifts. I thought of turning around but knew I would not be able to turn the sleds in the deep snow. Plowing forward hoping to find an exit / shelter we eventually became stuck. After about 45 minutes of digging and packing to no avail and fighting off panic -as we were the farthest we could be from civilization - in snow so deep - five wonderful non-english speaking French Canadians came up behind us. What a relief! After more digging and packing of our machines and theirs we moved on. Eventually we met a group of French tourists with a guide from RDL. Now we as a group of 16 helped each other as one or the other or all were stuck at one time or another. Shortly after crossing a road in Mont-Saint-Pierre our new friends stated the trails were too deep with snow to travel so all 16 of us ran Rt 132. As previously stated it was our intention of making Grande Valle and we learned it too was the destination of the French tour group but the destination of the first five persons that saved us was further- Rivière-au-Renard, Gaspé. Hours later by means of Rt 132 we arrived at Grande Valle and while getting gas we coincidentally spoke with the President of the local Snowmobile Club. He advised our new friends they could NOT travel further as everything was closed further east. Subsequently our new friends also stayed at the Grande Valle Hotel. The Grande Valle accomodations and the two hosts were absolutely wonderful people. Our dinner & breakfast was absolutley delicious. If you need a destination do NOT pass up the Grande Valle Hotel. The food was SUPERB! On Tuesday morning February 17 despite being told all the trails remained closed the entire group and an additional four riders that also stayed at the hotel encouraged us to travel with them to Perce. Now as a group of 20 we traveled a snow covered shoulder of a back road to Murdochville where we fueled and then hit the un-groomed 8' x 10' snow drift trail to Perce. OMG - what work. It was dejavu from the previous day. We eventually arrived in Perce and had a nice evening at La Table Roland. On Wednesday morning - Feb 18 we learned the trails remained closed as the groomers had not yet completed their objective so 4 of us decided to hire a car and flat bedded the machines to New Richmond. The others in the group continued by trail and eventually met us in New Richmond later that night. They described the trail between Perce and 5W as being the same as the prior day but from 5W to New Richmond it was OK. On Thursday morning - Feb 19 we separated company from our new friends and returned to Matane by means of 595N. WOW ! What a ride. A perfectly groomed "highway" with spectacular views along the way. Our new friends carried on to Causapscal. They later described the trails as ROUGH - in need of grooming. The following day they returned to Mont-Joli w/o incident as they described it as being a nice ride. The French tour group was ultimately destined for RDL. Will we return? Absolutley. When return we will hope a snow storm accompanied with high winds does not hit the Peninsula. If the trail system was anything like we encountered on our first and final day we missed out on so much because of the poor visibility and trail conditions. On Friday Feb 19 we returned to Pittsburg NH with our car & 27' enclosed trailer. Sadly it too was a nail biter. The high winds and new snow pushed us around. Sadly we saw a tractor trailers on 20W on its side. The wind, snow and poor road conditions caught up with him. We hope the driver survived but it did not look promising. Knowing what you now know of our intinerary did our paths cross? Stay safe. Paddy O

"I've heard the trail into Perce is closed due to landowner dispute. Not sure this is still the case. But we are heading to gaspe then inland on the local then down the regional to Chandler tonight, if not further." A. Rubenstein many thanks for your posts. I enjoyed reading them. Is their any merit to your quote noted above where you heard rumor the trail in Perce is closed? My wife, daughter & myself leave from Matane Monday morning. Yes I know it is forecasted to be extremely cold. We have reservations each night and I hope to stay on target. Despite riding for past 15 years I am out of my comfort zone. Wish us well. Where you turned left/ south on 595 after leaving Murdochville we will turn right and head north back to Matane. Thanks for any response / input !

Visited Sawyerville Hotel (Carol) this past Sunday February 8, 2015 from Pittsburg NH. We had a wonderful visit. We started in the Burg, entered Canada through Beecher Falls Vt and returned through Pittsburg. Th entire loop was approximately 120 miles. Sadly the signage was just that, "Sad" and or disappointing to say it lightly. It was snowing heavy all the time so it wasn't that easy to follow tracks of others or the groomed trail and or plowed roads. I suggest the local clubs take the initiative and post signs in both directions so they cater to the Americans who want to cross the border but are hesitant to do so because of the "unknown". In my opinion it is an e-z fix. Post it properly - and we will come, once again, as we did years ago. Please consider supporting Carole and her partner France at the Sawyerville Hotel..Tel # 819-889-2967. Carol described she and her partner purchased the Hotel from Andre and having put significant $$$ into the hotel since purchasing it. Americans that were visiting at the time I was, stated they have spent many nights there and described the rooms as being decorative, warm and a bargain at an estimated $69 CAD a night. Knowing this, I might just spend the night in the immediate future or with certainty next snowmobile season. Our lunch although basic was delicious.....1 BLT - One large beer + Hamburger - Fries - Soup - and small beer - $22 CAD + tip. For those who want gas a SHELL OIL gas station is conveniently located adjacent to the trail - two blocks from Hotel Sawerville. 30 + - miles from the Beecher Falls border crossing - snow covered farm fields and smooth trails makes it an enjoyable day trip. Visit http://www.fcmq.qc.ca/english/Regions.asp?idR=10 or http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/accommodation-directory/hotel/hotel-sawyerville_1144349.html Let us know if you venture out....Enjoy ! If you go ? Have Canadian Trail pass - Passport & snowmobile registration as US Customs will require you produce the latter two.

Thank you !

Thank you....

Thank you for the replies. I Realized I posted in wrong section after posting thus I posted in the Chaudiere Appalaches but disappointingly many views but no replies to date as I write this. Any additional comments are welcomed. Paddy O

Hello all. I was considering staying @ the Comfort Inn in Thetford Mines in Mid February 2015 with the wife and daughter. We will be riding over from Pittsburg. I was wondering how "tricky" it is to get to the Comfort Inn from the trail. The Comfort Inn receptionist stated after exiting the trail we would have to ride the sidewalk for a few streets. Because of her uncertainty how to access the Inn I am reluctant to commit to the Comfort Inn. I have previously stayed at the Balmoral a couple of times with the guys and find it easy to access but I am not crazy about the condition / decor of the hotel with the ladies. Of course if we have too, we will. Thanks for any input.

Hello all. I was considering staying @ the Comfort Inn in Thetford Mines in Mid February 2015 with the wife and daughter. We will be riding over from Pittsburg. I was wondering how "tricky" it is to get to the Comfort Inn from the trail. The Comfort Inn receptionist stated after exiting the trail we would have to ride the sidewalk for a few streets. Because of her uncertainty how to access the Inn I am reluctant to commit to the Comfort Inn. I have previously stayed at the Balmoral a couple of times with the guys and find it easy to access but I am not crazy about the condition / decor of the hotel with the ladies. Of course if we have too, we will. Thanks for any input. Reply Report

Well articulated and imo right on the $$$. Thank you.

Congrats...Best of luck...

Spent Friday 1/30 & Saturday 1/31- 2015 riding to & fro Pittsburg NH to Thetford Mines. Trails were spectacular aside from questionable signage and long stretches on roads. Fortunately we had snow coverage at the time we rode the roads but if we didn't I could see the sleds might have had some issues related to carbides, sliders and heating/cooling. It is disappointing some must have violated the rules thus the long stretches on roads in lieu of rolling fields.

I've never had an issue with the enhanced NYS DLIC. Have had one since inception. You might as well be uttering your passport as all your passport information is embedded in the bar code on the DLIC.

R.I.P. ..Hoping the other persons injuries are minimal. Very sad....When / if you learn the facts please post. Thanks.

O.M.G. ...Devastating to say it lightly ...R.I.P. OMG. ... Dévastateur à-dire à la légère ... R.I.P.

Thanks for sharing. Very envious of you. I can't wait. Very soon for us.

Great closing remark…..bty, yes, work is slow toady, enjoy! What year were the photos taken. Thanks for sharing…Paddy O NY, NY , USA

My two 2015 Canadian trail passes arrived today. The web purchase process was painless & effortless. With the snow falling in the many regions I am getting the itch. Braap… Paddy O

I've had several Blizzards. No complaints on my end thus the repeat purchases when upgrading in size. My dealer www.traileroutlet.net is in Tilton NH - a few miles east of 93. Ask for the owner Joe, if it is not to far from you in Mass. Good luck. Have a great season. Paddy O

In 2013 I ordered 2 identical 600 ACE RENEGADES, The 2 sleds were delivered at the same time but there was a difference of 25+ - when comparing the two vin #'s. Congratulations on your purchase. Safe riding.

I just purchased two season 14-15 passes for Canada. $550+- US with the exchange rate. Although the web purchase was painless choosing the correct club to credit with the purchase was not so easy. IMO it could be explained a lot easier. After my frustration I chose a club associated with Thetford Mines as we often use that area as a destination for a single overnight trip when we choose to cross the border. Here is hoping we have the snow and I have the time to make the purchase worthwhile. We had such a wonderful experience last year riding from Pittsburg to Riviere De Loup. Hoping to do a number of day trips - Weedon & back, etc. Think snow!