My wife and I just arrived at Village Windigo tonight at 6:30. Was dark when we arrived but wow what a beautiful place.
The Wood Runner Trail that Mark just posted gives you all the lodges for options if you don't want to base out of town.
In ML for hotels there is Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western and a new Super 8.
Comfort Inn is my first choice, great restaurant on site, good trail access to go N or S from town, nice rooms.
Quality Inn, stayed there 2 weeks ago, nothing bad just the place is getting old, rooms a bit tired. Trail access is bit of a scrape across the bridge if no fresh snow. Decent Resturaunt on site, Boston Pizza next door.
Super 8 is right across Rd from Quality, Driving by an hour ago didn't see any sled trailers , not sure there is much parking?
Best Western, never been there looks nice on the web. Don't think there is a restaurant on site and don't think any thing walking distance.
Comfort Inn and Quality will let you park while you are gone for few days, might be a small charge. $10.00???? A day. Neither is a gated secure lot. Over years have stayed both places for 4 days each time never had problem, not any recent truck theft that I know of.
Village Windigo, Rasaka, Club Frontbrune are all best part of an hour N of ML by truck.Only 40 km but a rough road. never driven to Mekoos, think a bit further. They are all very nice lodges, definitely more enjoyable experience vs hotel.
Not positive what your wanting to do. One suggestion would be trailer to ML, stay first night in hotel then head out, maybe head up to 100 Lacs lodge for a night, about 100 miles N of ML. Circle around and stay at another lodge next night. Will never be to far away from ML but there is all kinds of excellent trails to keep you busy for a few days.
I know getting lodging for Friday and Sat nights is becoming a challenge.
Do you use a GPS. TRakmaps is a huge help getting around and staying on route in villages or trail junctions etc. The Wood Runner system has installed a lot of new signage this fall, Finding your way around is easy if you know what lodge is near direction you want to go.
I assume you look at the FMCQ interactive map. Those orange trails that look like minor trails on the map; most of them are beautiful trails.
Look at the grooming map 7:00 AM and head for the greens. once you get out of town even the trails that haven't been groomed for a couple of days are still normally in great shape if it has been cold and have stayed setup after grooming.
Steve
Lots of info here on free weekend. You need to print your passes before, you don't get at clubhouse. That is if you enter quebec and want to buy a pass.. season/week/daily.
https://www.chaudiereappalaches.com/en/activities-attractions/snowmobile/snowmobile-open-house-event/
crossing border should not be too long i would think but never done it on sled myself. If anyone has a criminal record, DWI for example and they check then they can be refused entry just so you are aware.
