[new hotel edmundston NB]

While not in Quebec, enough of the riders here tend to include New Brunswick as part of their travels. Became acquainted with this new facility in Edmundston. ...something for your forward possible planning. On trail and many features for sledders:

https://www.choicehotels.com/en-ca/new-brunswick/edmundston/quality-inn-hotels/cnb12?mc=llyxcncnnbl&pmf=canada

 

 

The Pirate Restaurant lobster rolls nearby.

[Spyder Trip Ideas 2020]

On 6/3/2020 at 6:41 PM, Signfan said:

This looks interesting.  Is the road groomed all winter?  Or just for this event?

According to what I read, the highway is closed in the winter and the grooming takes place just for the event. Conditions change every year and I was looking for this one youtube video that shows a particularly tricky part with very steep embankments to the road onto which some sleds slide down quite a ways. I didn't find that particular one, but here is a URL to several others:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=trek+over+the+top

Here is the Taylor highway in the summer:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=taylor+highway+alaska

 

[Spyder Trip Ideas 2020]

On 5/7/2020 at 10:38 AM, Fuse6 said:

Thanks Slomo,

Yes highway 155 would be the type of roads we look for, thanks for the suggestion.

Try to avoid the main highway/interstate type of roads as much as possible.

Steve

You are a travellin' guy ...let us know how it goes!

On 5/7/2020 at 8:00 AM, quebec bob said:

Another great Alaskan ride is the Kenai Peninsula, hardest part of the trip is being able to keep your eyes on the road, truly breath taking, big place, bring your top of the line binoculars and a very good camera, done it 3 times, you can never get enough of it, they don't call it The Last Frontier for nothing!

Intrigued....I looked this up. If you're in Yukon anyway and having gone that far, a few days more on a trip won't hurt. Beaver Creek (Canada's most westerly community BTW) is about a 4 hour drive from Whitehorse - although might be longer these days as I understand the highway has developed a bad case of large and long up and down waves due to frost) 

By the time I get out there again hope the exchange rate is a bit easier or I might be camping in my sled trailer.  :-)

Got my eye on this event....you never know....

https://www.toktodawson.com/

" Trek over the Top is an international snowmobile run from Tok, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon. Riders travel over 200 miles of groomed trail through pristine wilderness to arrive in one heck of a party town!"  Takes place on a highway which is closed during the winter. Some good videos of the event on the web site.

 

[Spyder Trip Ideas 2020]

On 4/20/2020 at 4:09 PM, Fuse6 said:

 

 

 

 

Was just having a re-look at your map - consider highway 155 north out of Shawinigan - follows a long lake for quite some time, hills and forested areas. Gets you to Chambord from which point you can drive circle hwy 169 around Lac St. Jean, south to Tadoussac and whale watching. Might be a bit more scenic than the 4 lane north of Quebec city.

 

BTW - regards a western Canada drive if you were flying and renting- how about a trip up the Alaska highway continuing on to the new road to Tuktoyutuk? Been up that way into Yukon twice but would like to rent motor home type transportation in Edmonton and go up from there. 

Being fairly conversant with the Rockies - you could see most of what you want to see in 3 - 4 days - heading out highway 16 west of Edmonton to Prince Rupert would be a nice add on, very scenic, every turn looks like a tourism picture. 

 

[Spyder Trip Ideas 2020]

With regard to Fuse6's west coast of Newfoundland tour, just finished putting this together for some folks from Australia wanting to drive out that way - crazy for Vikings. Might give some ideas. Lived in Newfoundland a few years, hoping to head to the west coast area for sledding this winter. Trip outline in first photo map and shows some accommodations.  Apologies in advance - it is called the Cabot Trail, not the Cape Breton trail as I have named it.....should be able to open in MS Word or similar....links should work( ctr key and click) and Quebec sledding map came in handy for part of the directions...

nfld trip by accomodations.docx

[St raymond]

Apres le deluge....moi

Yesterday, heavy snow fall of about a foot, mixed precipitation for a few hours, rain in sheets during the evening and figured our last day here in the Saint Raymond area would be a non- event, but some groomers had been out and main trails 73 and 23 in relatively good shape. A few parting photos...

 

 

Likely our last ride of the year....sad.😕

 

[Border Crossing Issues?]

22 minutes ago, MFARJM said:

I kind of wish I was Canadian

Guy from Michigan I met once had this.......he was a Canadian trapped in an American body.....Transnats the support and charitable fund raising group calls itself....got himself a nationality transplant through Canada's socialist health care system. Long waiting list after Trump elected. Now has a small house in Dubreuilville Ontario ...sledding, fishing, shooting things, happy as a clam.

Thanks to all you Americans contributing to this forum over the season....particularly snowmaster2112 who tipped me off about the Rodeway Inn north of Amos and the excellent conditions there at Christmas and New Years. Learned a lot from the group and hope to explore Quebec even more next year if I survive the virus and get to retire.

[Anyone seeing sledding issues from Covid virus]

22 hours ago, Signfan said:

Absolutely correct if you plan to carry all the gas you need with you, cook campfire trailside meals only and stay in a tent.  Short of that it's still traveling.  If you unknowingly are sick you're gonna take it with you and share it at every hotel, restaurant and gas station along the way.  Anyways maybe this will pass by mid-April.  I sure hope so.

Kind of lucked out in this regard - have a self contained log chalet, food, and gas in cans for a week - was supposed to move on to Amqui for tours around there, thought twice about that due to the close quarters of the next lodging and extended our stay in the Saint Raymond area. Little traffic on trails in good condition and as spouse's first season on a sled, this worked out well.

 

 

We stay a good 2 meters away from any visitors - only the hot tub technician has been by - and practicing proper safe self - isolation procedures,,,,

Supposed to snow and then rain today - earlier rain a couple of days ago actually firmed up the trail base around here.

 

[St raymond]

Out yesterday - (Saturday) scratchers definitely recommended - sleds left the trail on this field to get lube, but did not even leave a track print!

 

After some use, top layer of most trails went granular ice - if groomer was out right after the storm as was the St. Raymond club, it was as if a zamboni had paved the trails with a layer of ice -

 

 

Otherwise the going was good - some grooming needed but generally spring riding.

 

 

My biggest concern would be the effects of running water under the snow - some spongy areas already and the streams are running high. Nice to be out though!

[St raymond]

Drove up to just south of Saint Raymond yesterday - raining heavily from south western Quebec to Trois Riviere up to Portneuf Station, but snow further on up to Sainte Christine aux dÁuvergne. Fields were saturated but conditions got better the more northerly you headed. Combo of slick snow and crunch snow.  I will be out today doing a day loop and will take a few pictures, but given the upcoming temperature forecasts I would say you are probably good to go. Hopefully more saddle baggers will report also if that is your thing, but keeping north is probably the best idea.

Seven day forecast:

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/weather/quebec/saint-raymond

Fourteen day forecast:

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/14-day-weather-trend/quebec/saint-raymond?from7day=1

Meantime when you are in the area, (and you've got your cholesteral meds stocked up) consider visiting this cultural event on a Saturday or Sunday at Au Chalet en Bois Rond - trail goes right through the premises - you can use the imotoneige app or map to find location:

Web site here:

reservations:

https://www.auchaletenboisrond.com/en/events/our-events/sugar-shack-brunch

https://www.auchaletenboisrond.com/en

Four nights for the price of two promotion on now.

More later as I find it - happy planning.

 

 

[St raymond]

Will be there in the next few days and will put up what info I can share. Probably other riders there now as well.

[Planning trip to Relais 22, Meekos, Auberge Lac Taureau]

If you are planning to stay at Auberge lac Taureau for an extended time, look at the condos there - on a different web site. For same amount of money as a room at the auberge, you can get something larger and better equipped - kitchenette or full kitchen for instance - and still have full use of the other recreational facilities on site.

[Governors Lodge - NB]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....😉 The advice of the saddle baggers above is good considering your type of trip. Here's a few pics from my day tour of the peninsula - I find it interesting to see how people live in the different areas in which we sled...

 

 

I know you've been planning this ride for quite some time so hope it all works out well! BTW those lobster rolls in Edmundston are prepared in the Maine style. There are differences.

[Governors Lodge - NB]

11 hours ago, Signfan said:

Thanks 

That's kinda my plan.  

Day 1 - Edmunston - Bathurst - stay at Atlantic Host

Day 2 - Bathurst - Governors Lodge - stay at Governors Lodge.  Day will consist of a loop towards Miramichi and out into the Acadian Peninsula a touch before heading back northwest

Day 3 - Governors Lodge - Edmunston.

Looking at roughly 300 km days with the third being a touch shorter as we will have a 10 hr drive home to complete same day.  Any recomendations for where to stay in Edmunston the first night?  Figured I wouldn't have issues finding a hotel there.  Any must see's or must ride trails we should hit up in this loop?

I have stayed at the Travelodge, large parking lot, pool, trail on periphery, older motel, ground floor walk out rooms available (think I had room 202 but don't quote me). The NB map shows it as a Quality Inn which was changed at least 2 years ago. Appears to be a restaurant proximate, but double check.

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/travelodge/edmundston-new-brunswick/travelodge-edmundston/overview?CID=LC:TL:20160927:Rio:Local

 

While in Edmundston, try to visit one of the two Pirate restaurants in town - lobster rolls available all year round, as opposed to just during the lobster catch seasons, and other seafood....the hotels near there also get some good reviews but can't vouch personally for them.

Just for fun, consider going a little further south on the four lane and look at Grand Falls - two good trail side hotels there as well and perhaps less town pavement.

https://www.choicehotels.com/en-ca/new-brunswick/grand-falls/rodeway-inn-hotels/cn858

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.64008.html?iata=00171880&ssob=BLBWI0004G&cid=BLBWI0004G:google:gmb:64008

Have a good trip!

 

 

[launching out of motel le martinet]

18 hours ago, Bluegrass said:

has and one launched out of the motel le martinet in la pocatiere

Not at Le Martinet, but to try to be helpful, stayed at Auberge Cap Martin for day loops, lots of parking, some rooms park your sled outside the door, gas across the street, and good communicators with customers. Although probably not a problem at this time, the access trail to the 'main' system (553) can be in poor or closed condition due to topography if snow levels low. The area immediately to the south is very scenic with a varied array of trail types.

Neat area around there....

If this trail is sketchy, an alternative is the motel La Seigneurie in Saint Jean Port Joli - direct trail access and a whack of close by services. Rooms are a bit run down, but serviceable.

Be sure to get a souvineer sweatshirt (chimese - as you will be politely corrected) at the Hiboux clubhouse - $40 CD.

WADR to Mr. Gutz, have stayed at the Universal in RDL and found it to be too much of a 'complex' - other folks results may differ. A mention of QR to other establishments might get them interested in sponsorship?

 

[Le tour de la Gaspésie 2020]

1 hour ago, wng-2 said:

Quebec is where I like to ride, we bought season passes for the one week trip. In the future, we will get the appropriate NB passes ahead of time, or avoid that province completely. The latter is a more likely scenario.  

If you feel strongly enough about it, send an email to New Brunswick tourism:

https://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/

An initiative started there a couple of years ago in which more money was put into sledding in the province as they have recognized it as their only winter tourism option. To be frank, it is quite easy to buy a 3 day or 7 day pass online which you could have had on your phone etc. but if you feel you were unduly hassled, they may appreciate your feedback. After a trip there one year which I enjoyed very much, headed back the next year and spent money on 7 day trail pass, gas and hotel to find that trail conditions had not been accurately reported. Sent an email to New Brunswick tourism which was forwarded to the NB sledding organization. A couple of emails back to forth to them, including a ride report from my previous visit, and my concern was made known.

The northern part of the province is an excellent place to ride when conditions are good - you just have to make sure conditions are good - the trail reporting system still has not changed.

[Champlain/Lac Edouard/St-Raymond photo ride-report 18-19 January 2020]

Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup.

[FCMQ iMotoneige18 app performance]

Just an idea - my Quebec 511 highway app was working poorly, so I updated Google maps on which it was based. Worked perfectly after. Maybe the same thing will work for the iMotoneige. Personally having no problems with it on android version 8.1.

 

[Trail Maps]

11 hours ago, quebec bob said:

https://snowmobileinquebec.com/snowmobilers-guide/........you can order all the maps in paper as well as tourist guides to lodging, dining and attractions...for all the separate regions...for free, Happy holidays, Bob.

Good link and especially helpful is this part of it - a map of the different regions if you are unfamiliar with them :

https://snowmobileinquebec.com/destinations/

Took a lot of work and research to figure these all out working with an unfamiliar language to boot!

 

[Trail Maps]

1 hour ago, wng-2 said:

Is there any way to order regional (Paper) trail maps? Thanks.

Here you go - in case your phone stops working! (ha ha - although that is a great app.) A list of different regions and links to order or download:

https://snowmobileinquebec.com/snowmobilers-guide/?source_campaign=Motoneige_SEM&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItrOq4Z2B4AIVBLbICh3Obg8rEAAYASAAEgLnxvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Maps usually show up in the mail (in Canada anyway) within 5 to 7 days. It being the Christmas mail rush, your results may differ.

[1st ride]

8 hours ago, Pullinfront said:

I checked in at the club house to check on trails being open and where to park as this is where I unloaded.  Was told I good to ride there trials and the surrounding clubs.  

Saw a couple trail security members (orange vest) and just got the thumbs up or wave.  

Sounds good - looks like putt putting around is okay with those folks- might even help with packing. Thanks for the pictures - hard to judge snow levels from out of province and have a couple of places booked 3/4 way through December - fingers crossed!

[1st ride]

So, in Quebec you can ride trails that are posted as closed? Not haranguing you here, new to the Quebec trails. I appreciate your post as C/A was a favourite region last year.

[2020 Trail Permits - Online Only]

4 hours ago, Signfan said:

You are better to pay full pop and then submit for the rebate right away (same day).  If you go this route your permit order isn't delayed and you don't get charged the admin fee.  

Worked like a charm exactly as you describe - two permits, bought two different times, insurance refund cheques received within 7 days later. Permits in 5 days - Canada Post.

[Snow report 10 November Sainte Anne du lac]

8 hours ago, Quebecriders said:

Yes 1 December new owner

Please post some reservation and  contact information and maybe a web site? Good to know about the wifi. Any pictures of the rooms? Frigo and microwave? I would like to bookmark your motel as it looks like a good place for spring riding.

[easy trail access? - quebec airport super 8]

Thank you to all for the info! Looking forward to a great season - my second year snowmobiling in Quebec.