RoadRunner

I agree with Bill, I have had the yamaha 1000 at -40 and one weekend-50, they struggle at those temps, Have not had the 1200s in conditions below -30-40 but they do seem to start easier than the yami. At those temps its amazing to get anything going without some heat. On the 50 below time with the yamis, we had battery chargers and hair dryers going on the battery and base to get them up and going RR

You should be able to ride from Clermont up to forestville, also tadousacc to mt valin, not sure about the valley up in Chicoutimi, but the 83 from clermont up to la baie is groomed as far as I know. Groomers are out in force in all these area. It may take a few days to get everything opened up but they are out panning and grooming in many communties. The 8-10" of snow they all received last wednesday should get them up and going. It will be early riding conditions, but passable imo Enjoy RR

Great update Groomer, looking good Have a great New Years RR

Spump and yes that guy didn't like his new 800 cat either ;) or so they say. the hardwood floor guy would like this trail though, of the 500 miles we rode this week, we did get about 30 miles of this!

Speedy right now that is the only place to find some decent riding, The trail crossing at clermont headed away from manoir richelieu Trail groomed at tadousac headed for the ferry The gear sleigh, this carried the tent, wood stove, food, oh and maybe some crown royal! Early Rider and his better half prepared gourmet meals for the trip, kielbasa appetizers were a hit! The next morning, time to tear down camp!

The Team Maine Crew just got back from a great 3 day back country ride north of forestville. Great riding, and the trail 3 system is opening up between clermont and forestville, good saddlebagging should be possible from these areas up into mt valin now. Some really great powder up near the Outarde reservoir It just doesn't get any better Fuel sleighs and camp gear will get it done everytime Some of the hills we did not make up the first time, the skidoo expeditions were working hard Aptly name as Camp Outarde, was a great evening of outdoor winter camping Leaving today, we saw groomers out in forestville, escoumin, tadousac, saint simeon and clermont, looks like they are open for business! Have a great New Years RoadRunner

Linda, glad that your first trip to Mt valin went well, sounds like you too had a great time. It truly is a winter wonderland. Have a great Holiday season RR

That is great news on both Mt valin and Sept Isle thanks for the update Iceman RR

Markus, hopefully the conditions will only get better up there in the next few weeks, as you know, that area is a wonderland!! Have a good trip, I may be back up in that area that week if we dont get snow closer to home!! RR Tralblazer, hopefully we will get some white stuff on the south shore of the Saint L soon!

Markusvt, There was more snow than the run to labrieville, but still not an over abundance. 6-10" of concrete, with 3-5" of fluff on top. The entire area needs a good snow event. RR

Another good ride yesterday out of Auberge, sorry forget to bring the camera :blink: We went northeast yesterday up into the pipmuacan reservoir area, northeast of the Auburge, more great riding. Headed back down last night ;) A great 4 days of riding, Here are a few more pics of the day before at Labrieville Sawmill at Labrieville Full pick of the mountain bore of the besiamites hydro 1 generator Betsiamite River below the hydro Good food, good drink, good riding and good conversations It doesn't get any better RR

hi coldsmoke yes that is a 600, he has that for the sledog race in alaska cant run an 800 in the race :angry:

Scorpionbowl, we ended up with 258 yesterday, we did end up back tracking a couple of time to recover the sleigh and a few other adventures, the loop would be more like 220ish

sledgirl, where are you staying , are you here at the auberge 31? snow update this am, another 3" of powder last night

Hi Groomer, It has seemed good to be back on the snow did you get some of the white stuff in albertville yet out of this last storm?

Smitty thought he had major issues but they are resolved

Yes iceman ,, sorry for the confusion, we are riding primary and secondary logging roads, 99%are unplowed, and the gas sleigh is awesome! We decided not to go to forestville ;)

Without Early Riders gas sleigh we would not have made the loop, that worked out great other than when it decided to go its on way in the woods

Mt Valin report today, the chappelle and auberge 31 areas has seen a significant increase in traffic today. We decided to make our run off trail to labrieville today. Got the fuel sleigh filled and off we went, had some really awesome riding, still low snow, but just enough lube on top to make if very rideable. A gas mileage, well we were not breaking trail in 12" of new snow so the gas mileage was much improved. We had a problem with the fuel sleigh early on when the hitch pin came out Once that was back in the trail, we continued onward On our way into Labrieville Labrieville has a hydro and a saw mill, but that is it. discharge from the hydro is bored out of the mountain Overhaul we have been very pleased with the riding conditions up here for what would probably be considered "pre season"

Sled girl, sounds like you had safe travels, 1-2" of fluff last night at the auberge 31 last night!!

Sledgirl, we will be here thru saturday evening, there are four of us , two on skidoos and two on cats and speaking mostly english Hope to see you here RR

Silver back liking his sled a little better Smitty ready to come home

Regarding the riding, after some sled issues this am, we rode this afternoon, the off trail woods roads are very rideable, another 1-2" in places today with heavy squalls Main trails are getting ground down. admq is planning to do some filming tomorrow and saturday for advertising so their crew is in here tonight. thats an update RR

SB likes his sled better today since he had to tow the 2012 1100 turbo back today

I am here with Silverback, I will try to get some pics today and post tonight RR