Signfan

Well we made the trip this weekend. Thanks to everyone that replied to my inquiries. Here's what we learned about this stop. - It's remote and as such you should adjust your expectations - there is no plowed road into it. They are bringing everything in and out on a sleigh to Casey about 8km away - power is from solar and wind. As such they do work to conserve power. The place has low voltage lights and you're asked to shut them off if not needed. Don't think it's closed if it's dim showing up at night. They are just in power conservation mode. - heat is from a wood furnace. It was warm, but could be warmer. We slept with sweaters and wool socks on. They told me they have plans for more insulation in the room we were in, so we might have just got the cold one. It wasn't terrible. A room at 15 degrees celcius vs 20. - toilets are composting toilets. At first it creates some apprehension, but once you use them you realise they work just fine. They are vented properly and don't smell. Bathrooms are shared for the entire facility. There was two of them. Hand sanitizer is pushed to clean your hands vs soap and water. - There is one shower and one sink with running water in the bathroom area. We chose not to shower. Not sure if it would have been allowed or not. I didn't get into the details on their water situation with them. I suspect it's somewhat limited as well. I was able to brush my teeth. - they have good wifi. I had a video call with the kids at home - they wouldn't allow us to charge our electronics. Back to the power conservation discussion. Not a big deal, but something to plan for if it matters to you - food choices were limited. No issues with quality, but don't expect a meal like you get at 100 lacs de Suds. Supper was burger and fries or a small plate of spaghetti. Breakfast was a good portioned eggs and toast. They were running short on food, but I think this is just an experience thing that they will get better at. I left supper a little hungry. Breakfast was as good as anywhere else I've ate in Quebec. - the place isn't large. There is two main rooms for accommodation and a third room acts as overflow for the dining room which is converted to a bedroom. This was our room. - beds I thought were fine. My wife complained to me some the next day, but I really didn't think they were bad at all. They are cots, but are new and I thought there was plenty of material in the mattress. - the young man running the place is awesome. Very nice and welcoming. I can't remember his name, but they have the right person running it. Very hospitable. He even asked us if we wanted to go out and look for the northern lights. They weren't out, but the thought was there. - price was $130 per person per night taxes and fees included. Included supper and breakfast. - cash only for payments. Plan for this. I did send them an e-transfer which they accepted, but that was an exception vs a normal thing. No credit or debit - there was 7 of use (a group of 5 plus my wife and I there for the night). I would say we were pushing their capacity for winter stays. With larger groups sharing rooms a few more may have fit. - they have beer and wine on site - the place still has that new feeling to it. Some of the construction you can tell wasn't completed by skilled trades though. Just rough on the finishes - no tvs or anything of that sort. I taught my wife monopoly using the resorts french version of the game which was fun. Translating it while teaching her made it interesting for us two English folk. Much to my luck she beat me terribly. I knew I was done when she bought all 4 railroads and started building houses everywhere. My wife left joking that I took her glamping. I think it was better than that. I probably won't get her back there. I'd stay again myself though. At the end of the day it was a budget friendly option, we left fed and didn't freeze. Definitely a good lunch stop for burgers and fries. If you go in with clear expectations it's a good night stop to sleep as well. Fills a gap in a remote part of the province. I wish them well in their future operations. I do think it will get better as they learn how to operate the place and make improvements.

TQ 33 is open for sure. Not sure about TQ 63.

Thanks That is what we will do. Unfortunately the Touriste is full. So staying in Mont Laurier and driving up. Hockey tournament has most rooms in Mont Laurier full as well.

Thanks for the report. Just what I was looking for. On another note does anyone know is there a place to park and leave your truck and trailer in Sainte Anne du lac?

Yes they confirmed via e-mail that we aren't staying in a yurt. Lol. All booked in for next weekend. Will be neat to see the new place. Just need to sort out what the story is with the last 20 km of 345 south of Casey that didn't show groomed with the rest of it this morning.

From what I understand they put a building up this year. I believe the yurts are closed for the winter. They certainly weren't part of iyr plan.

If anyone has any info on 345 as well it'd be appreciated. Is it open all the way up to TQ83 north of Kanawata? Groomer map shows a 20 km section that didn't get groomed with everything else. Am thinking we'll try a loop and stay at the new place in Casey if everything is opened.

If anyone is riding up that way this weekend please report back on conditions.

As stated by others beware the weather can throw all your plans in dissaray. We went last March for our first trip. Started in Matane and rode tq 5 to 595 first day finishing in new Richmond. Second day we came back up 595 and then over to Murdochville and out to a village on the north shore. Final day was back to Matane along tq 5 on the north shore. Driving in forecast was 5 to 10 cm. It turned out to be a foot. Then two days of high winds which made for some unreal conditions. Day one we were stuck 1/2 a dozen times, waited an hour for a moose to let us pass him on the trail and finished the day at 10 pm. Day two was better, but encountered massive (over 8' tall) snow drifts near la cache. Ended up running 50 kms of plowed twp road to get to Murdochville. Again finished the day near 10 pm much later than planned. Day 3 was finally our blue sky day. Trails started out exceptional (fresh groomed), but by days end we were fighting mogul city to get into Matane. The clubs were trying, but the snow was so plentiful the trails just wouldn't setup and traffic was heavy. It left me feeling I need to go back to see it at its best. Maybe in January when it's colder and traffic is lower. I can say after reviewing it all I am glad we didn't attempt the north shore in the storm. With the hills the drifts and white out conditions we experienced could make for exceptionally dangerous snowmobiling. It was an adventure and we will go back I'm sure. I now own a folding shovel that will accompany me on all future sled trips.

A lot of people don't understand how much energy is in 5 gallons of gas. Food for thought.

Yeah that guy wasn't getting the update done. In all seriousness that sucks. I hope everyone was ok.

Yeah west coast of Newfoundland or Labrador are both good bets. Northern Corridor (Cochrane to Hearst) in Ontario is also opening up. I think you will see lots of Quebec open up in another week or so.

Always used this setup. Belt off. Rider of the broken sled has to steer and brake still. https://www.amazon.ca/Steadymate-15543-Snowmobile-Tow-Strap/dp/B0026FCGEU/ref=asc_df_B0026FCGEU/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293038686226&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3389272217142576532&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002384&hvtargid=pla-434306674070&psc=1

How do you go about tying them bumper to bumper? Curious to ssee what that looks like. Do you not get damage between the two sleds?

I'd check out air bnb. See if there is any units still up for grabs.

Anyone having issues with the site where when your typing the site randomly adds large spaces into your post. Using a Samsung phone and it keeps doing it. Quite annoying.

It's one of 2 things. A: it's a 2022 without an encrypted dess post B: it starts, but the encryption won't let it throttle passed idle. I know most keys will start our sleds, but the second you try and move things are retarded in the engine timing and you're not going anywhere. Seems like a stupid video. Click bait.

For the finest I'd say Village Grande Nature Hotel Grande Vallee Motel Fraser Hotel le Francis Selectotel Riotel Matane

Looks like the banana belt of Peterborough Ontario where were lucky to keep a foot of snow for more than a couple weeks each winter is going to be the place for holiday riding.  Then again the weather network is never right when it comes to snowfall predictions.

In the tow truck I'd think.

Will be great if it snows and stays cold in the next 2 weeks. Looking pretty thin right now.

Plan to avoid Quebec city and the trails within 100 km of it on weekends. I think TQ 23 is a must see provided the weather co-operates. It's high country.

They need to make it so the clubs open and close their individual trail segments. Then don't report grooming until the trail is marked limited or open. Would solve this issue.

Is there a section marked closed in there? It won't route you through closed trail.

I heard the same thing. Sucks that 63 east is closed. At least the rest of it is opening back up.