doubler

Interesting, but considering my feet always sweat, I'm thinking the concept is kind of nasty. If you stay overnight and bring a pair of sneakers are you allowed to wear them?

You have to take your boots off to enter Balbuzard? Not sure I agree with walking around in socks at a public inn and restaurant. Can someone please explain? I haven't been there since 2006 but was planning on staying there one night this year.

what is the name of the lodge where Juncas was? I didn't know anything rebuild at Juncas. I thought it burnt to the ground.

This part confused me though: DIVISION II SPECIAL TRAFFIC RULES 3. Despite section 441 of the Highway Safety Code, non-skid devices may be used, from 15 October of a year to 1 May of the following year, on the tires or tracks of any off-highway vehicle operated on public highways and in other places where the Highway Safety Code applies. However, this section does not authorize the operation of off-highway vehicles on public highways and in other places where the Highway Safety Code applies, except for the purposes of section 11 of the Act respecting offhighway vehicles. Isn't this saying that the pilot is not in effective from Oct 15 through May 1?

Never been here, but this place always looked nice to me. http://lewindigo.com/en/

Here are my thoughts: I ate dinner there about 10-12 years ago and my memory was that it was very good. Mont Laurier is to me like St Ray and Lac St Jean are to you. I know the area quite well. Nominuque is about 40 miles from Mont Laurier on trail 63. Here are some places to go for lunch: 1) north to Meekoos (easy single day trip) 2) west to Devil's mtn and either Rabaska or Club Fontbrune for lunch (might be close to 200 mile day) 3) south via 319 or 323 or 325, down toward Labelle and Duhamel - when you look at the map you will see you have many options for making different sized loops - I can't think of the place we eat at when we make that loop from Mont Laurier, but there are options in/around Duhamel and Labelle 4) northeast toward St. Michelle des Saints - this might have to be an out and back depending on how big of a loop you want to do - awesome place to see and I think they do lunch (I've only been there on travel trips for dinner) https://www.lactaureau.com/auberge-lanaudiere/index.aspx If you need more info or have questions, let me know. I'm not a big user (or expert) of this message board, so maybe PM me (if this site even has that) and I can give you my number if you want to call and chat.

Just one more thing to consider.... there is no guarantee that UP will still be good 10 days from now. In other words, I think it's a gamble either way. I did hear on a few weather sites that there is a pattern change happening that will bring PA back to what winter should be. This change starts over the next few days and lasts to early-med February. So I would think QC would benefit from this patter also.

That's like buying 2 gallons of milk from the store at full price, then the following week it is buy 1 get 1 free. Why should the next person get a free milk with their purchase of the first one, when I had to pay full price? It's up to the store to offer whatever promo they want and whenever they want. Every promo has a cost and an expected benefit.

I agree with Linda. I have the quick adjust and use it often. Rough trail versus smooth trail, etc.... and it will also contribute to front end control like Linda said. I will have it on my next sled.

Is this crank problem specific to just the 2009's or all year 600 etec's?

I agree, these two places are top notch.

I would not ride in maniwaki, I was through lac du cerf, notre dame du pontmain, and lac des iles today and trails are very hard and rutted up. Sled was darting around like it had a mind of its own. Also had some overheating issues.

As it stands right now we are still leaving for Mont Laurier Saturday morning. We always do a loop to Mekoos for lunch, but not sure which day. Also, if we can't do all the loops we normally do we may end up doubling up on some and if so I will try to hit Mekoos on Thursday to meet you. We are a group of 8. From your picture it looks we are both on 2012 MXZ's. Mine is a black 600 etec short track with r-motion. PA and NY registration stickers on the cowling. Maybe I will see you on the trail.

you mean next Thursdat or today?

Crazy, just want to make sure I understand what you are saying, are you saying drive north and start from there or are you saying if you start from Maniwaki and ride north you will be OK?

Google says Val d'Or is 3.5 hours from Mont Laurier. Is google not accurate?

Thanks Viper! Yes, I am familiar with the burn area. I am heading to Mont Laurier Saturday. Unfortunately my job doesn't afford me the flexibility to reschedule a vacation, so this warm up and rain is a frustrating part of the sport. I am hoping the riding is good. We are not backpacking, but doing 6 individual day loops from Mont Laurier.

Viper, I've heard they have lots of snow up that way, what made the trail "thin" between Balbuzard and Lac Fallion?

With the warm up today/tomorrow, do you think the trails will still be covered with snow or was it so marginal that a warm day will take it down to dirt? I'm trying to decide if I want to go next week. I don't have a lot of flexibility to move my vacation, but on the other hand I don't want to go just because I have vacation. I hate beating up my sled on dirt/rocks. I'd rather not ride.

Andy, just curious, what made the trails south of St Anne du Lac horrible? Bumps, lack of snow, ice, etc...... Also, how was the snow in and around the town of Mont Laurier? I'm heading up there on Saturday.

Crazy, when you say all 600 and 800 etecs, you only mean the 2013's? I ask because I have a 2011 and a 2012 600 etec, also leaving for Quebec Saturday, so trying to figure out if I need to try to get them to the dealer ASAP before my trip. Thanks!

Seems silly of ski-doo to put the letter on their site but not list the effected models. Right? Do you know for sure this only effects 2013 Gades?

Totally agree with you Scranton on the 2008 Nytro. I had one for a season, traded it following year for 600 etec. On my second one now, 2012 MXZ x package. My 2009 gave me one minor problem with antifreeze leakage overnight. Would notice it in trailer in the morning.

Linda, just curious, what preventative measures were in place on the truck? Whenever I read about a theft I always wondernwhatnthe circumstances were. Without knowing the circumstances it hard to know if the thief had it easy or had to work for it. Also, how are the trails in Mont Laurier?

I agree with most of the others posters. I was there twice and am not looking to go back. Kids all over your sled when pumping gas. When you don't speake their language it's very hard to get them off your sled. My fear was that they were setting me up so that I had to touch one to get them off my sled and then I would have bigger problems. Also, the older kids (high school) try to sell you stuff and are very persistent. I recall they were trying to sell a necklace with big teeth/fangs on it. Both times I was there were in the early to mid 2000's.