Roger

Funny how i noticed the same hand signal poster in the cabin with Jim Jamison's name plastered all over it and wondered who might this fellow traveler be.....funny enough here's what i found...
https://snoriderswest.com/article/general/travelling_up_north
Travelling up north
Jim Jamison and his wife, Melissa, are incredibly friendly people who love to go on epic snowmobiling trips
 
Every year, Jim and Melissa Jamison travel from their home in Pennsylvania to Canada to snowmobile for weeks on end.Photo courtesy of Jim and Melissa Jamison Jim and Melissa Jamison live in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, and they have been snowmobiling together for a very long time. In 1963, their favourite place to sled was the Poconos in northeastern Pennsylvania—a mountainous region that is popular for its recreational offerings.
The couple purchased a home there and continued to visit the area each winter for great sledding, but they soon moved on to the Adirondack Mountains in the northeastern part of New York. They bought a home there as well and enjoyed great snow conditions for more than 20 years. Adventurous spirits like to move on, however, and the Jamisons have moved on to Canada. Thirty-one years later, the Jamisons haven’t strayed. They come up to Canada each winter to snowmobile.
The couple usually stay in the eastern provinces of Canada, but they have been as far west as Manitoba and have ridden through Ontario numerous times. Eighteen years ago, Jim was asked to look after a few snowmobilers who wanted to ride to Canada, as he had more experience with the region. He agreed and everyone loved it. Soon after, Jim discovered that there was a market for American snowmobilers travelling up into Canada, and Jamison Canadian Snow Excursions was born. In the earlier years, Jim took groups of people on tours to Labrador—a trip that usually took three weeks if they didn’t get stuck in a blizzard. Typically, they put about 5,000 kilometres on each sled. These excursions catered to those who wanted to see the spectacular backcountry of Canada’s eastern provinces, including Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labra-dor—Jim’s personal all-time favourite place to sled.
“It is spectacular,” he said. “Of all the snowmobile tours and places that I’ve been, (Labrador) is absolutely (the most) astounding. It is nature’s beauty at its best and it has awesome country.”
The couple that sleds together
More recently, Jim has taken a step back from his tour groups and goes on only three work trips per year. A tour with his company includes everything from lodging and meals to maps and destinations—all you need is a sled. A typical trip would take sledders through Quebec and New Brunswick, and would last for one week.
One of Jim’s reasons for going on fewer work trips is that he wants to concentrate on travelling more with his wife.
“Every year we do trips together,” said Jim. “We take one week after Christmas and one week after Thanksgiving. Then, when I am done with my tours, my wife comes up for three weeks with me at the end of the season—next year is Quebec . . . and the Abitibi Canyon in Ontario.”

Day 4 
February 6
 
Great dinner at Forestel and a great sleep. This morning no hurry as we are not early risers. We got all day and this group can get it done. After all this is supposed to be fun so, what’s the hurry to run outside too early? Not us. We take our time, nice breakfast and on way out of restaurant I meet the owner of Hotel Forestel, Robert. We had a great conversation. Super nice guy. Finally dressed and sleds loaded, 9:45 departure, perfect. We are headed for Amos. We track down into town and out the local trail from in back of Beric Sport. Cold this AM. Even now. Ice is Icy. To the 309 which we rode yesterday back to Val d’or. Great conditions here on 309 and totally different in daytime. We run it all the way to TQ93, then stop at warming hut there to thaw out a bit. Fire was going and heat felt good. 
 
We continue on the 93 west. Good trail here always nice never disappoints. We cruise into Amos and go to get gas near the Bombardier dealer off the river. Here I finally get to meet Viper2 as his group is there getting gas too. We talk a little while. They are headed for Royaun Noranda, we are northbound for Matagami. Nice to finally meet Viper2 a fellow Yamaha brother. We take time to warm up some at the gas station. Out of there around noon. To Matagami we go. Through Amos all good. Up to 396 and beautiful just awesome fresh groomed no tracks going north. Just on southbound side. Hard fast trail. No gas in St. Dominique. Big sign warning next gas in Matagami. We will be spilling some cans for sure. Oh we we gots to be going. I am not into conserving gas, aint gonna happen. Big fast beautiful trail, we gonna ride them like we stole them. So we do. Beautiful conditions but wicked cold at speed for hours straight. I am on a mission to get to warming hut. 141 km from gas in Amos to Warming hut. Beautiful conditions. Crossed paths with two groups headed south. First group not well behaved. Trail two groomers wide and these guys are on my side in the corner. Seriously people? You need to ride each corner like someone is coming every turn. I really just don’t get it. Stupid. Is it really that hard to keep right? If you cannot stick it on the right every corner, you are riding above your abilities, simple as that. Slow down or sell the sled it’s just a matter of time till your time is up. You are gonna hurt someone. Ok rant over. 
 
Into warming hut at 2:15. Fire was almost out. Kwiknick gets it torquing good. We thaw out nicely and take a nice long break. Improvised lunch of snack size candy bars,(Kwiknick has got a giant stash of chocolate) and some pepperoni snacks thanks to NH Moose. Mmm good. We have a conversation about gas. I am already riding on my low fuel light. So is Kwiknick. No choice we dump some now. We got 60km to go. I got a one gallon roto-pak but NHmoose gives me his Ski Doo jerry can as his 900 ace should cruise into Matagami no problem. Merci, Mon Ami. Kwiknick pours his jerry too. Off we go at 3pm. Another 43 km and Snohorse calls on radio his backcountry is getting close to be out. I stop he pours half a can. He keeps half, as Kwiknick is already back on his low fuel light. Good choice as Kwiknick is out of gas with 10km to go, Snohorse dumps the half can in Kwiknick and tells him to back it down, baby it to gas station, He been chasing me all day and hammering on that freeride. We continue on into Matagami at 4pm. Gas up and head to Hotel Matagami. Check in and unload. Glad to be here. 
 
Great trails but cold. 
 
Not a giant day today but it’s not about the miles. 
 
187 miles.
 
Until next time.
 
Ice out.

This weekend, a small ride to see the ice sculptures of St-Côme in Lanaudière. We then had continue north to St-Zénon and returned a little further east on #23 trail. Here is the trail path we did.



Saturday morning -17C with snow, difficult conditions for the photo/video but I wanted to do this report at the beginning of the festival to give you a chance to go if you pass in the area. Here while starting the ride near home



I chose to ride the #43 trail that we use less often because more twisty but the scenery is beautiful. Here at the intersection with the club hut at St-Ambroise de Kildare



Here just north of St-Alphonse de Rodriguez



rer view with our friend Snowcruiser that was riding with us



There is a lot of snow this year throughout the territory but particularly in the north as we can see ...



Here arriving by the west side of the village. We can see the big slide made of blocks of ice



We parked the snowmobiles to walk a little in the village and admire the sculptures. The festival just started and the carvers are at realizing their works.



Some are completed ...



And others still work in progress





The photos don't do them just under this dark sky but this is a real size scene of the Flintstones with Fred and Arthur in their car, Delima standing behind and Dino looking out  by the window of the house!





This one is fine art work with alot details, surely even more beautiful with the sun or the colored lights at night ...



Another great scene very impressive here, always real size



imagine the talent required for carving the wagon wheels



Here a beautiful piece, one of my favorite



And here a beautiful windmill well surrounded you can admire at the entrance of the village



I did not show you half of what is there, to see everything you will have to go for a ride!

This good walk having opened our appetite so we stopped to eat at the Marguerite restaurant also located at the entrance of the village



After a good meal we continued our way up to the north via #43 trail



We then took the local trail and joined #33 trail continuing north. Here with the small stream and waterfall along the trail. Notice how snow-laden trees are



We had ride up to the next junction and took the local trail to reach #63 trail and then went down to La Glacière. From there we took the #350 to join the #23 south. Trail was bumpy by there and for a good reason, we saw the dozer down on the side of the trail



We took a break at Real Masse, a lot of sledders there ...



When we came out to continue the sky was starting to clear out and we saw our first sun rays of the day



We continued south. The quality of the trail was significantly improved by entering the territory maintained by the St-Gabriel de Brandon  snowmobile club and it's on mint trails that we went for a short break at the St-Gabriel belvedere.


 
Back then through St-Norbert, rather rought in the fields because alot new snow drifts but i won't complain about new snow! We finally got home around 5:30 pm with 173miles on the dreammeter
For the St-Côme in Ice 2019 festival, it is until February 17 and maybe a bit longer just to see the sculptures then so if you are in the area stop to see that, I have not shown half of what is there and if the festival itself interests you all the details are here: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/

It was a beautiful winter day as we dream in summer! The snow conditions are exceptionally good everywhere this year so go out to enjoy it,  the great of the season is happening now!
Have  a good safe ride !!!
Alain

Day 2- Freezing rain snow mix Monday night left us with a freezing mist this AM. Cleaned the sleds off and leave about 8:45 heading towards Clova. Trail not groomed last night but still pretty good, the freezing mist is giving all 5 of us problems having to scrape the shields every 30 seconds or so including the 3 Oxygen helmets. Closer to Clova the mist stops we stop there for an early lunch then head to Lake Fallion. Trail is being groomed ahead of us and 1/2 way to Balbuzard we come up behind him. Even after we pass trail not bad just some loose snow on top. Balbuzard is for sure closed there is a cable across the end of the driveway with Ferme signs on. We get to Lake Fallion and gas up. The gas pump broke before our last guy could fill up. They gave him a 3 gallon can and we left for Senneterre. They have plenty of gas at Fallion just a broken pump hopefully it’s fixed by now. Get to Senneterre at 6:00 stay at Senabi for the night.

Echo that-most neige I've seen in over 20 years of riding Val D'Or/Amos/La Sarre/R.-N.!

Senneterre, Val d’Or and Amos have the most snow I have seen in years! Head west from Faillon, we were there last Friday and groomer was on route from Clova; 83 is in great shape! Looking forward to seeing pictures and trail reports we will be back up there Feb. 20th.

Well the time has arrived. We got the band back together and tomorrow we hit the trails. Myself along with Snohorse, kwiknick and NHmoose are northbound. Sleds are all tucked away in the garage at Chez Ice. Gear is sorted and now we are just enjoying the evening catching up. We have a general direction and no set plan after monday. Tomorrow to Windigo and then Lac Faillon after that we shall see. Feels good to be switched off and getting ready to put on my snowmobile with the Team. 
Cannot wait to get going.

bonsoir !!!
long day on tq  5.....the rain from last week...many trees kaputt or hanging over the trails
.....but great light for pics with the ice !!!
met a friend...he rode moose valley to matapedia...not nice ....trees too
 
jean-guy
 

good morning !!!
back from tq  5 + ste florence 
left at 3 30pm ....-13c ......back at 2 10 am....- 34c 
talked with 2 guys north of toronto ...about 1 mile after logging road...first hill going down...they were on their way to the auberge
 
jean-guy

The Saint-Michel of the US? LOL

Finally made it for a ride.
Quebec City to Saguenay to Pointe-au-pic and back to Quebec city.
 
Can't wait to return in a couple weeks.

I know I am spoiled, i got no problems admitting that. I have much higher expectations every time i ride. For guys who ride south of the border then anything up here is great. For me not so much. I'm a trail connoisseur. 

This is the restaurant on top of Devil's mountain.