capril19

What about a Powersports / snowmobile dealership?

Well .... even if you don't want to mention the name of the dealership .... it's right there on the Sled !!! I agree with doonali that the skid looks like the front is tucked way to much up under the tunnel. Check your limiter and the front shock.

Well .... even if you don't want to mention the name of the dealership .... it's right there on the Sled !!! I agree with doonali that the skid looks like the front is tucked way to much up under the tunnel. Check your limiter and the front shock.

My 'home base' for snowmobiling is the Chalets at the base of Mont Grand Fonds ski area where there is a secondary trail that goes from the ski area up to the Clubhouse for the Adventurers. For the first couple of miles leaving the downhill ski area there are probably 7 or 8 cross-country ski trail crossings and also some Raquets (Snowshoe) crossings. So you just take it easy and slow down on that section and pay attention to possible skiiers and others for about 2 or 3 miles at most. About 6 or 7 years ago they had a fatality on that trail. Luckily it was still kept open.

Thanks for the article Iceman. It's very unfortunate because there is no way around it right now. You get to the fence and have to turn around ar go back. If you don't have enough gas coming from the Ferry you're up shlit's creek. There's no excuse for not slowing down on that section of trail. Like I said, there's maybe 5 or 6 crossings where the sled dog trails cross the snowmobile trail and they are clearly marked and it's only a 1/2 mile or so that you have to pay attention to the signs .... seriously, some people need to have their sleds taken away for doing stuff like this which effects all of us.

Does anyone know the story why this critical section of trail is closed? I met up with a FCMQ Official on the trail going South from the Ferry on 2/11/2023 and he was Francais only so I don't know if I got the story correct or not. Does it have something to do with the guy who runs the Sled Dogs through that section? There are maybe 6 or 7 Arret signs in about a 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile stretch. Seems reasonable to stop at them to watch out for the dogs ..... is it that people weren't stopping? It's a tough place to close the trail.

Not sure where exactly you spent most of your time riding this year but I can tell you that there was essentially NO RIDING available for most of the year in Vermont, NH, and most parts of Maine so a lot of traffic was diverted North of the St. Lawrence valley. Even there, there were some areas that had low snow conditions there for 1/2 the season so again, a lot of areas north had a lot more snowmobiles riding what snow was available.

So .... I take it you liked your trip. Did you get up to Grand Fonds Ski Area trails?

I really wish I could be back up there this season but I did get two trips in for a total of 12 days. It was just my wife and I enjoying the area and the abundant snow. When you head up 378 though Grand Fonds you will go through the parking lot of the Grand Fonds ski area. When you cross the exit road of the ski area and take a left you will come out at the entrance of http://www.cabaneaucanada.ca/enwhich is where my wife and I stayed. At that intersection you will see an electrical shed on your left and a small plowed out area and a single lane trail that goes over a bridge. If you follow that trail to where it comes out (it's only about 100 yards long)at another electrical shed and small parking area. Right in front of you will be two roads (left and right) that all of the log cabins are on. You can ride right to them along the edge of the road (usually snow covered anyways). The owner of the chalets is Christophe Dandurand. Check out these links, https://www.facebook.com/47nordexpedition/ and his utube site https://www.youtube.com/user/kanawataman Christophe had raced in Cain's Quest and is a backcountry snowmobile guide. He will take you to areas off trail that are just spectacular. He and his lovely wife Sylvie are great people to meet and I am very lucky to call them friends. I wish the place wasn't 9 hours away.

Just checked the forecast for La Malbaie and they're calling for a major winter storm up there tomorrow through Friday with 10 to 15 inches of snow !!!! Sacre Blue !!!

I am here in La Malbaie area now. The trails have been fantastic the past 4 days. They will be getting some 'freshies' towards the end of this week so I expect the trails to hold out for awhile yet.

Magnus ... any word about the trails up by La Malbaie? Trying to decide since the forecast is right on the edge for up there this week.

Which Ferry ????

Thanks !!!!

Magnus, I know it's going to get warmer next week and it looks like it's going to stay above average for about a week but not severely so. I am scheduled to return to La Malbaie from March 17th - March 22nd (when it turns back to normal temps) so I will be interested to know the 'melt count' over the next two weeks.

Yes, next week is School break for Quebec and the trails will be considerably more crowded. Check availability anywhere you go in advance or you 'may' be out of luck. I've stayed at Windigo and Mekoos and both are awesome. I get the package with the meals because it's the best deal.

I spent a week at the base of Grand Fonds Ski Area two weeks ago. We are going back March 17th - March 21st. The snow there is about 1/2 of what they normally get in a winter but compared to anywhere SOUTH of the St. Lawrence and the rest of New England it's like being on another planet. We rode on the 383 every day because it's the connection to get anywhere around there. Yes, it was thinner and more icy once you come off the hills down toward the St. Lawrence and La Malbaie but everything was passable and the groomers worked hard on the trails leading to and from the Casino. This area is overlooked for a snowmobile destination because I think most people are going to go to Mt. Valins area but the area near La Malbaie and Baie St. Paul is more scenic and there are better places to eat / drink / play (nightlife) in these areas because of La Massif ski area and the places that cater to the Summer crowd on the St. Lawrence. For going with your wife or GF, I'd take La Malbaie over Mt. Valins any day.

Hi Steve, Where are you coming from? St. Donat has great trails and a ski area right there in town. Also, I've stayed in St. Agathe de Monts with good trails and closer to Mt. Tremblant. Other than that, I would rent a cottage at Windago and do it up right with the all-inclusive package!!!