snowfarmer

hi mario and steven !!!
 
great weekend ...tons of laughs...rode the last 3 days....
back from amqui about an hr ago...snowing like crazy ...not nice at all ...2'' + in a very short period of time !!!
yesterday , when we left camp ....went east ...toward orange camp...very surprising there !!!lots of snow !!!
went to mommies today !!
 
jean-guy

bonjour !!!
 
great weekend riding ....lindaslegirl was here + friends !!! went to camp yesterday starting from clubhouse !!!
going back riding in a few hrs !!!
-28c this morning and sunny !!!
 
jean-guy

Sorry you broke down Eddie! We missed you at Chalet Hallé 

Sm and Playhard, well we didn’t get cheated on our adventure ride for sure! 
 Thursday and Friday did not disappoint us😁.  Thursday started out so nice but high clouds up in the Long Range mountain highlands in the distance had other plans for us.  As many of you saw earlier in the week, The highlands,  a few days ago had a beautiful blue sky, and felt very inviting. 😉 
As mentioned , We had heard several stories of trouble and tragedy in these highlands all week.  Well we got taste of just how wild it can get.  By mid morning our clear view morning ...had changed into a slow crawl, dirty visibility and several dig outs of drifts as we crawled our way up into the highlands.  Wow we still got a long ways of to go! This is what its like when the weather goes bad😉 , This is going to be slow going! 
Just before noon we decided this is not going to work!  We had just got to a rough shelter about half way in. This looks like our chalet for the night! 😊
As we settled into our very.........rustic accommodations, some gathered fire wood , others water, an inventory of overnight supplies started popping out on the rustic picnic table in the shelter.  A wood stove provided heat, but that was about it.  The wind howled all night, but by 3:30 am it seemed like we had a window of opportunity and visibility was better, but we had 10 sleds buried in snow and we needed to get rolling. With winds forecasted to pick back up to levels we experienced yesterday, we knew we had a a narrow window. 
Robert Gardner and Dixon Clements, both Cain’s Quest Champ’s and old pros at these types of riding conditions 
, gathered the troops and said well...it’s now ...or ....we most likely will be here another day. So at 4:40am, sleds are all running and we are heading down out of the range, at a crawl.  3 hours later, and 35 miles under our belt, we dropped down into the tree line.  Lots of stories and laughs to share, but also a reality of just how quick things can change in the high country! It’s always an adventure.
With 10 experienced riders it was awesome to see all the safety and overnight equipment pop out of everyone’s bags. Multiple Garmin in reaches, Spot tracker devices, food, food lines for hanging gear to dry, fire starting equipment, jet boils, tarps, ect. You guys get it because we all tend to carry those items whether adventure riding or groomed trail riding, and at times thinking, wow, do I really need this stuff?  Well yes, on occasion you do!
The other neat observation was to observe your riding partners under challenging conditions. This group all remained calm and focused. Good attributes for any type of ride, especially when conditions change.
As mentioned a few days ago, we had planned to get into the Gross Morne Park, but do “unforeseen circumstances” we ran out of time!!  We did get to see territory and ride a regions that  even many locals have never done. 
We catch the evening ferry back to NS tonight.  We will be back to the Rock again!  This has been another great adventure ride. And many more things to see and experience here! 
 
Happy Trails!
 
RR

I just got back from Old Forge New York, where we got 40 miles of seat time on the new 2020 sleds. All we rode were models from Ski-Doo. First thing, pictures do not do justice to the Free-Ride Blue, one of the best color schemes on snow...just my opinion that this sled is really beautiful to look at. Next, the new 850 extreme...WITH OUT A DOUBT THE VERY FINEST ALL AROUND SLED ..MAYBE EVER BUILT...PERIOD!! I am not a brand loyalist..just calling it after 2 10 miles rides, and I have been riding since 1966. This is not a cumbersome work sled, you keep looking back at stops and cannot believe 154 inches 20 wide is behind you. Hooks up like nothing short of a studded ice racer, the 850 moves it better than a 600r, although not quite as good as an 850 renegade, but not far behind. It really smooths out the bumps, and handles very flat, less intuitive than a back country, but you can really haul down the trail very aggressively without getting tired or feeling like you are tugging a work sled around. This thing wheelies at will and you actually have to back out of the throttle and learn how far you want to go, get used to it a little bit, fun factor is incredible. This sled will more than put a smile on a 20 year old, a 45 year old and a 65 year old tourer, kind of like a BWW station wagon!! Next was the 850 backcountry XRS, with a 146 track.I just sold a 2018 backcountry with 3100 miles on it, so I know the sled. The XRS model handles way better than the x or standard model, and it felt stronger than the 2018 engine and the 2 inch 154 rumbled a bit down the trail, more of a deep snow sled, ski-doo reps said hard concrete trails are probably not the place for this model, they said cooling and torn lugs are going to be the end result.Polaris looked very nice, quality, fit and finish have come a long way, they have upped their game. Arctic Cat had almost exclusively lime green versions of the new riot, the lines were getting very long and we made a 400 mile trek to be first in line at 8am, so we did not stay around to ride everything we wanted to. The new oxygen helmet was there, this seems to be a very well thought out product, I ordered one. If you get a chance to ride the expedition extreme, just do it, if anything you will at the very least come away with a big smile, Happy trails, Bob.

After getting our pictures we are headed for a visit with JG. 587 to 5 it’s a nice ride. I  had been taking pics with my camera so I have to wait till I get home. We get to the clubhouse and JG is there. There was a table reserved for us. Gemma says wow we are VIP’s today. We had a great time chatting at lunch. Our riding partners had to get going. They’re not sure where they will end up tonight. JG haddock big hours of grooming coming up he has to get some rest. We say our goodbyes.
I wanted to say thanks Mario for meeting us at  Valga we really enjoyed your company. It was a pleasure to meet you, your wife and Frank. 

Thank you Jim and Gemma for letting us ride with you to radar tower and to lunch at Groomers club house. We took 5 back to Rimouski and stopped at L’Empress, at 4:30, was too cold to try making Trio Pistoles. We are going to head to Montmagny today, hope to reach truck in Drummondville on Friday.

This morning we left Phenegamook, took 35 to 563 which was covered with fresh snow which made for a great ride, we did lose the trail at one point as it was not marked well,  a quick look at the app and we back tracked and found the trail and onto 85 to the gas in Deglis,  85 was good as well,  we back track a little and take 571 north which is excellent all the way to Sqatec, have lunch and onto 35 to 5 both good as well all the way to the 579 intersection,  we checked into Domain Valga with 165 miles, looking like a daisy tour with these low miles and look who just pulled in.....Jim and Gemma and they did 270 miles!. Getting ready for dinner, not sure where we are going tomorrow. We only saw 7 sleds all day. Full house here at Valga.

There is a trail system here in the Northern peninsular. It would not be fair to try to compare this system to the one in Quebec. So far we have been on a recognizable trail system about 20% of the time.  Frequent winds and equipment breakdowns create large challenges for some communities here. Still a refreshing style of riding that we tend to enjoy.
 
We have enjoyed the communities and people. Very warm and friendly which is the Newfoundland way for sure!
 
Happy trails 
RR

2/27/19
-22F in LeCabanon that morning.  Up 345 to 360 Matawin for gas. then 355 to Relais du Trappeur for lunch. North of lac bouchette is where it drastically changed. it got a lot more bumpier and  once we got on to 83 in to roberval it was even worse. Passed the groomer in roberval.    Stayed at Hôtel Château Roberval.    270 miles
2/28/19  
just a little warmer at -20F.   Freshly groomed out roberval up 373.  Stopped at the club house club de motoneige for some soup.  then got on 93 north to chibougamau.  very smooth.  Sawmill for gas.  it was $2 a liter there.   in to chibougamau and stayed at Motel Nordic.  205 miles.
3/1/19
-19F that morning.  The big day.  left on 93 south to roberval. Stopped at sawmill and different person was there.  it was $1.39 liter,    stopped back at the Club House for lunch.  then took 373 south and took cut off trail to the 83.  83 west to Relais 22 for gas.  Stayed at Pourvoirie Windigo.  320 miles.    Very nice people Martine and Dan are.  The food is great.   
3/2/19
 0F that morning.  left windigo and 83 west was smooth.  turned at 345 south to Casey.  south of Casey was freshly groomed.  Repos for lunch. then back to Lecabanon. 250 miles 
1023 miles for 4 days  not a bad trip.  


 


 



 







 



 
 
 
 
 
 

Thanks Tom!
This morning we left Lac Echemin up 55, WOW, ausome trail 10/10 all the way to St. Pampile, we gas up and have lunch and continue on to next intersection 55/557 and I decide to take 557 north and again it just ausome, a quarter of the way up I,m thinking what a great choice I made, no one on this trail, I am coming up to a turn an here comes a 2 upper, as they get up to me I see a winch on his bumper, I start waiving like a lunatic but the don’t see me, I figured it had to be gtrider, who else has a winch right?  I sent him a message to see if it was them. Pulled into Phenegamook at 2:45, short day with 160 miles, again, enough for the wife!
We are now in Mikerider domain, Bas St Laurent, not sure where tomorrow!

Left  Drummondville, took 532 , 525, 35, 538, 25 in to Thetford Mines for lunch. All were great conditions. Had lunch at Tim Hortons and decided to head to Lac Echemin for the night. We continued on 25 to 55 now the trails are a bit rough, it is Sunday after all to be expected, but ok, some of the trails are shared with atvs, that doesn’t help. Pulled into Manoir lac ecthemin at 4:30. 185 miles, enough for the wife. Today we may head to Pohenegamook. 
 

Many of you have commented on the Western side, and as you can see the eastern region we have run so far had a much more dense snow pack in many places.  We will be working our way down the Western side later this week,  We hope to have good weather for the scenery and strong backs for the powder!
Here are a couple of drone shots , one in Harbor Deep and one in the highlands of the Long Range mountains.
Also Norm from Boughwiffin lodge dropped us off some 2000 year plus iceberg ice last night. That made the Crown Royal taste very special!

 

The scenery rivals the White road, Labrador and what we have seen in Alaska.  Definitely  this is something to put on your to do list!

We have been out for three days now and yes this is Newfoundland. Our run into the Northern peninsular has given us spectacular scenery but been a bit light on the WiFi access LOL. 
This is was our first day back into digital access, which isn’t a totally bad thing!  We have had a sensational ride, three days of blue sky weather, and all the locals are saying they have not seen the sun in two months.  Wow we got lucky!
Our first day was from Deer Lake thru Sops arm into Harbor Deep.  You really should do a wiki search on Harbor deep to understand that this was the last community in NFLD to get resettled.  An interesting story.  Bob and Linda where excellent hosts, we guided ourselves In, but a guide would be recommended for this trip unless your are very comfortable with a gps.
Danny Corcoran lodge does have a guide service available for those interested.
A few pics of our first day are below!

So we spent the last two and a half days riding the Chaudiere Applaches for the first time.
Been hoping to ride this area after Snowfarmer posted couple of his trips here last year.
This opportunity came up after we aborted our Cote Nord trip due to the storm first of the week.
Wow, what a enjoyable area to ride.Arrived in Princeville(just east of Victoriaville) Wednesday night, having left Sacre Couer mid afternoon.
Thursday rode from the hotel DuPre heading for LacEtchemin via Thetford Mines and St. George's. 320 km by the time we arrived at the Manor du Lac Etchemin RoadRunner mentioned above. 
Of rhe 320 km we rode there was only about 20 that wasn't groomed in the previous 36 hours. Pristine would describe the trails.
Friday another 300 km back to Princville making a loop further to the south. Great variety of trails throughout the region. Rolling farm fields then through the sugar bushes. They take their Maple Syrup business serious here. Very impressive pipeline systems and Suger Shacks .Amazed how much fun riding the rolling farm land was. Traffic really picked up mid afternoon Friday. By Friday evening trails were just starting to get bit choppy in spots. 
Team meeting Friday night to decide if we departed for home Saturday morning or ride one more day. 3 guys decided to head home first thing Saturday morning and 4 of us decided to ride a part day before heading for home.
Hit the trails at 7:30 and rode 200 km. Every trail we rode was groomed last night  They must have an incredible fleet of groomers in this area to cover the miles they have to maintain. Beautiful sunny weather all 3 days we rode.
Two other friends got stranded in Murdochville on Sunday. Took a $350.00 cab ride back to Matane to retrieve their trucks. Was Wednesday morning before they were able to depart by truck. They were heading back to Ontario until we suggested they join us for our CA ride. Worked out well for them to salvage some of their week.
I had spent hours researching the Cote Nord, read every post related here on QR posted in the last 5 years.Had hotels booked for the first three nights.
This ended up being one of our best Quebec trips after changing all plans 8 hours before departing home after studying the weather forecast. Rest of the week was on the fly. Think we will operate this way more in the future. 
Picture below is some poor sole truck drifted in at Hotel Coronet Wednesday morning . Just by luck ours were parks on the opposite side of the lot and the wind blew around them. Had to climb in from passenger side, some minor shovelling and had them out. The hotel staff yard man was very helpful to assist us. 
 
 
 

Thats my motto also, Photo first help second.

You may not have snowman pics, but I have plenty, lol
 

2/24
Plans were made for a Westward run with QR's infamous Florida Snowman, so a 3:45am departure from Vermont took place, destination Auberge-Motel Drakkar in Shawinigan. The new 900T Enduro with zero miles on it was in the back of the truck for the ride. Roads right out of the gate were slick as my intentions of getting ahead of the pending storm had failed. All the way up and until I was through the tunnel and onto Rte 40 headed east the roads were a nightmare. After reaching Rte 40 the pavement dried up and good time was made. Arrived at the Drakkar with the Snowman prepping his ride ready to go. After a quick trail pass switch to match my new sled we were ready to go. Hit the trail right around 9am and everything is groomed flat and fast a few local trails out of town onto the 23 and jump on the river for a quick run up to the 360. Continue on to Matawin for a quick top of fuel and keep on moving all the way to Repos for more fuel and some soup. Had to wait a little bit for fuel as they were transferring from one tank to another. We also got behind a tour group that was thirsty for fuel. After we fueled the Kanawata Express was a super quick run and we splashed a little more fuel, said hi to Mario, visited with a few Vermonters, and then off we go towards Barrage Goin. It is now snowing very hard and we are pushing 10-12" of fresh snow. Lots of fun and no other sleds on the trails, so good time is made. Pull into Gouin and fill gas again and the horses are shut down for the day at 5pm. We are the only two here. Great walleye dinner and we call it a night.     265 miles
 
2/25
Up for a quick breakfast and on the trail a little before 8. Still snowing and we run out on jump on the road headed towards Parent. An easy foot of new snow on the road, but the plow has been through and cleared 1/2 the road just for us, so sizzling time is made for the 60 mile run into Parent. It has been snowing hard the whole way and vision is very tricky at times. Take fuel and jump on the 83 headed to Clova. Visibility is getting really bad and the guy on the Yamaha misses a turn ever so slightly, and it was here that we found out exactly how deep the snow is! About 1/2 hr later we have the 1/2 ton Yammie re-directed and back on the trail. The 80 miles from Parent to Clova were done with a lot of caution as digging the sleds out was not how we wanted to spend the day. We roll into Clova and tell Dominic of our plans to reach Val Dor this afternoon. The rolling of his eyes and wagging of his finger saying 'NO' was all we needed to know! He informed us the drifting was very bad and that some sledders were stuck 1/2 in between and supposedly holed up in a camp for the evening. He informed us that the wind had been gusting at 80-100km and the passing would be ill-advised. Why we were not ready to park the sleds for the day, we took his advise when he informed us that the wind was going to be setting down and that groomers were headed out from Senneterre and Clova tonight making for a perfect day in the morning. We checked into the schoolhouse, checked e-mails and messages, and headed back to restaurant for a great steak dinner around 6pm. Not a bad day to shut it down early.        140 miles
 
2/26
Super cold in the morning, -16 degrees as we loaded up the sleds to continue west. A quick breakfast and we're on the freshly groomed 83 before 8am. We wet the groomer making his return trip about 20 clicks out of town. We now have double wide groomed all to ourselves. The groomer had turned around at Balbuzard, but another groomer from the west had been there and done the same. We finally met our first sleds at our 75th mile of the morning. We pull into Auberge du Lac Faillon at 100 miles for fuel and to thaw our frozen bodies! An hour plus of hot chocolate and warm wood stove is just what we needed. Back on the sleds we go headed towards Senneterre. We catch the groomer, wave our thanks and continue on. A couple of young guys on Cats caught up to us at some point and went by us like fighter jets. We soon caught back up to them as they were helping a couple get unstuck in some of the wicked drifts in part of the big burn. As luck would have it, they were still there to assist 'the guy on the Yamaha' again as that tank just will not tread drifted snow. Sorry Tom, at least I didn't take pics! The rest of the trip into Senneterre was uneventful and we take fuel and make a run up to Amos just because. This section was the only part of our trip that had any real bumps, but the run on the way back to Motel Senabi seemed much quicker as it is certainly easier leading the horses back to the barn. We passed one groomer on the way back and saw signs of lots of groomer activity for the following day. Checked into Senabi at 5:30 and ordered out for dinner.     308 miles
 
2/27
Plans were made to be on the trail at 6:30am for a long run up and over the 93 to Chibougamo and beyond. All the trails maps showed green, so we wanted to get on them early. This plan was curtailed slightly as the Yamaha did not want to fire in the -18 temps. After locking ourselves out of the room at 6:20am (a quick knock on the owners door fixed that), the Ski Doo got the Yammie singing and we were on our way.Trails were nothing short of incredible on this perfect blue sky cold morning. Gas stops in Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Demaraisville, Chapais, Chibougamau and the Saw Mill were needed as we pushed all the way to Chateau Roberval where we pulled in at 5pm. Just an incredible day with very light traffic.       412 miles
 
2/28
Another very cold -18 morning to start our run to the trucks. A little later start and then take the 83 to 355, a quick splash of fuel at Lac Bouchette, sail down flat fresh groomed trails to LaTuque for fuel, and then make the final push to the truck. All trails were an easy 9 and the trip was a great success. Arrived at truck at 3pm and headed for home. Great to meet Tom and ride some incredible trails. Tons of snow up here and looking like a great spring riding season. Somewhere along the way I apparently lost my Drivers License in a Canadian snow bank which made for an eventful border crossing with no ID....     234 miles
 
(not many pics as my phone would shut down because of the cold)

We made it back to the truck today we rode from Matane to RDL,the trails where in pretty good shape ,lots of groomers k locking down snow drifts a couple days they should be in great shape.
This trip was a learning experience for us even though I  did not get to see the whole Gaspe next year I  will have a better Idea where to go.
We still managed to get 1400 miles on this trip , some great experience  also.
Back to Ohio in the morning
Ride safe 
Zrtkat & Crew
 

Wednesday morning Feb 27th
Departed the ski hill at Mont Valin this morning heading to Sacre Couer via the 93.
Have arrived in Sacre Couer, had a great ride down all the way. Some minor drifting first 10 km north of Sacre Couer, after that great from SC to Auberge 31.
Mont Valin to Auberge 31 was groomed last night. Beautiful conditions  
Wind has stopped blowing and most of the snow has firmed up.
Would say most of Mont Valin and all the areas that are treed will be groomed up and great conditions by tonight or tomorrow morning. 
The flat clear areas Saguenay had severe drifting. We had to avoid the past two days. Only speculating it will take a couple more days to get things back to normal there.
To bad Bill wouldn't report. Lot of good QR people would benefit from a boots on the ground report right now.
Anyone that had Cote Nord or Gaspe plans hope this helps give you some options 
Nous somme une gang de VTT et de motos-neiges qui descendent une fois par année pour un week-end au Complexe Du Pré. On se sent comme chez nous. Rendu à l’hôtel, on relaxe, on prend un excellent souper, une bonne nuit de sommeil et avant de partir on prend un très bon déjeuner. Pour pas de frais supplémentaire, nos VTT et motos-neiges sont dans le garage au chaud.

Well day 2 the plan was to keep heading East and see how far we can go. TQ3 in great shape to 378 into st Simeon for lunch at small b&b. Owner said 93 closed to sacre cour and 3 closed from tadousac East. Ok plan b. Backtracked to the 83 up the clermont express which was stellar! To Auberge des battures for the night. 200 miles. Still a ridiculous amount of drifts in open areas. Looks like the elusive Cote Nord will have to wait!

So, day 3 is another extremely cold morning, and a late breakfast is scheduled. Plans are to head down the Clermont express with final destination Fairmont le Manior Richelieu. So, 83 it is, and everything has been groomed to perfection. Again, well below zero temps, but a beautiful blue sky day and the trail is crisp and fast. We are making incredible time and have no timetable, so we stop at the warming hut at the junction of 83 and 383 to warm up. And warm up we did! Anyone know what the deal is with this place? There is a kerosene heater running in there and it must have been 95 degrees! Does this run 24/7? Could not find a thermostat, so we left with the heat still pumping. The rest of the run down the express was equally fast, and only a handful of sleds were met. We arrived at the Manior at 3pm, and quickly changed to our swimwear for a soak in the outdoor tub, does it get any better than this! And, the staff delivers cocktails tubside with a smile! (Not the same service as we experienced at the Signature the next night, but more on that later) After our soaking, it's off to the casino for a little pre-dinner blackjack. Good move, as most of the trip is now paid for! Dinner is a bit of a let down, but not terrible. All in all, an incredible experience on our first visit. All of the staff were super friendly, and a return trip will not come soon enough!

Adventure began on Friday as the 6 of us (3 couples) left Vermont with temps in the mid 40s and rain threatening. As we crossed the border in Highgate the rain starts to fall. Destination is the Rouqemont in St Raymond, with 2 nights planned at the Delta with Saguenay Bill, then down to the Fairmont for a night, and one more night at the Signature and then a short trip back to the trucks for a black trail home. After getting above Montreal the temps start to drop and the roads get dicey. Around Shawinigan it's white out conditions as the snow is piling up! We finally arrive at the Rouqemont at 8:30 after a nearly 7hr trip. Good thing this place make beer 🍺 Dinner and drinks, then in bed by 11. Place is packed with sleds and trucks/trailers, but everyone seems to be slow moving in morning. After a quick breakfast, we load our gear and head north on 23. Groomer map showed green, but that was a late post I think? We pushed an easy 15" of fresh all the way to LEtape where we all needed fuel. Petrol and lunch and we're back on trail. Stopped briefly at Mt Apica relais, but kept motoring. Less new snow the further we move north, which is kinda nice. Took the 368 west which was absolutely incredible, we were making great time here. Rolled into the Delta around 5pm with 210 miles on the odo, a great trip up. Met Bill and Pepper in the lobby, as well as Pat and Gary and a few other Quebec riders. Great to see Bill, and he also gave us perfect directions to visit the 'cave' in the morning. To be continued....