Fuse6

Friends are in the Gaspe now. Yesterday they started down 595 from the north shore and came across a stuck groomer and had to turn around. Saw pic this morning on FB showing 595 South was really drifted. Said hoping to get the groomer through today.
Poor clubs having to deal with drifts, down trees and stuck groomers. Always amazes me what a wonderful system Quebec has with the majority of the week being done by volunteers.

Drakkar is about 3km from me. So yes. 
wicked snow here. 
go see Reggie at Drakkar you won’t be disappointed. Trail is fine. 

It’s 120 miles Moose Valley to Pointe e le Croix. 
Last year we started in Edmunston which is 40 miles from Moose Valley. Did the couple loops north west of Moose Valley which are real nice rides then up to Pointe e Le Croix. Real easy day ride. Doing the same trip in a couple weeks. Will do a three day loop in the Gaspe then back into NB for 2 days to finish up. 

Thanks for info and I did mean Amqui hopefully going to see the groomer!!!

Groomer is out and running again was headed for La Cache last update i saw from club

Friends are in the Gaspe now. Yesterday they started down 595 from the north shore and came across a stuck groomer and had to turn around. Saw pic this morning on FB showing 595 South was really drifted. Said hoping to get the groomer through today.
Poor clubs having to deal with drifts, down trees and stuck groomers. Always amazes me what a wonderful system Quebec has with the majority of the week being done by volunteers.

Friends are in the Gaspe now. Yesterday they started down 595 from the north shore and came across a stuck groomer and had to turn around. Saw pic this morning on FB showing 595 South was really drifted. Said hoping to get the groomer through today.
Poor clubs having to deal with drifts, down trees and stuck groomers. Always amazes me what a wonderful system Quebec has with the majority of the week being done by volunteers.

Friends are in the Gaspe now. Yesterday they started down 595 from the north shore and came across a stuck groomer and had to turn around. Saw pic this morning on FB showing 595 South was really drifted. Said hoping to get the groomer through today.
Poor clubs having to deal with drifts, down trees and stuck groomers. Always amazes me what a wonderful system Quebec has with the majority of the week being done by volunteers.

Took your advice last year.  And yeah.....we also had to use that guy.  Lol. Great setup.  

My friend and I were finally able to get back on the trails of Quebec for a few days. Unloaded in Monticello, Maine, and stayed in Fort Kent Maine. We crossed into New Brunswick Tuesday, and rode East and into Quebec at Degelis. We took the 571 and stayed in Mont Joli. Didn't really have time this trip to make the full Gaspe loop this trip. Decided to head back West and stayed in Riviere Du Loup. Planned on two nights there, but decided to cut it short due to the much talked about pending nasty weather. I was more concerned about the high winds than the cold. Zero visibility sux, and of course slows you down. I have dealt with large drifting issues before, and definitely wanted to avoid that. Too old and fat for that. We rode to Presque Ilse, Maine from Riviere Du Loup on Thursday, via New Brunswick, entering Maine at Van Buran. Short ride to the truck Friday morning. 0 degree F temperature  wasn't an issue, and the winds hadn't caused too much drifting yet. Back to the truck by 0900, and drove home. Nice little trip. Trails were great. Hope to make a longer run soon. The cold followed us South. I am definitely thankful to have a heated shack this morning. A little chilly for Southern Maine. Some Photos of the trip below.
Motoneige dans le Maine et la région du Bas-Saint-Laurent au Québec
http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/536096704_Temperature4February2023.thumb.jpg.221b8855b6a512d3b95257ebf6b69576.jpg

We start from from Mon Joli Hotel in Mont Joli.
Reason being you leave your truck keys with them. If you break down they have a guy that will come rescue you. Had two trips where a machine in the group broke down. Real life saver when your 100’s of km from your truck

Send your pass to your files or notes that are stored on your phone. No need for service. Put your phone in airplane mode so you’re not pinging the cell towers. When you are outside of coverage, or have very weak coverage, your cell phone is transmitting at full power to try and make/keep a connection with the network. That’s the battery killer. You can still have Bluetooth active if you’re listening to music stored on your phone.  IMotoneige navigation works in airplane mode, you just won’t be able to get services.

Thanks Groomer
Glad your wine didn’t spill. 😊

Yes the dead phone in the cold is definitely an issue. I always have my season pass but many in the group the Quebec trip is a once year thing. I’m going to get the guys to have someone else in the group screen shot their pass, that way everyone’s pass will be on two phones. 
 
Been to the Gaspe 6 times and NB 3 times and never been stopped. Just reading on FB people in the St Zenon area were stopped 5 times this weekend. Kind of lose your patience after first couple of stops.
 

Proof on phone is more and  more common.  Has to match your sled serial # and be within effective date.  No issues.

my lucky day ...at least i learned something ...did nt know there was a '' percé rock '' in pei
been there in 74 .....once we landed in borden ( ferry )..we were staying in  a b &b in crapaud  .....private house .....the guy was related to politic in charlottetown (parliament )
frank myers ...his pic on the wall somewhere there
 
https://www.peildo.ca/islandora/object/leg%3A20887
 
 

There is currently a strict moratorium on the development or accreditation of additional federated snowmobile trails.  It stems from the earlier initiative concerning the rationalizing of the network and the consolidation of smaller clubs.  I haven't heard of it being lifted any time soon.

Thinking about sending this draft email to:
Zec Martin Valin
Tourism Saguenay
Tourism Quebec, should also cc every business in the area
 
We have two week long snowmobile trips planned for your region. One week with a group of 6 men, another couples trip with 6 people. Both for strictly on trail riding.
Recently found out about your new ZEC fee. The precedent set by this fee could become devastating to snowmobiling in Quebec.
We spend approximately $2,000.00 per person a week on sled trips. This is a sum of $24,000.00 spend on food, lodging gas etc supporting all your regional businesses. For many of these businesses the snowmobile revenue is their sole source of income.
Due to your new fees and the way it has been poorly handled we are considering changing our destination to one week in the Gaspe and another in New Brunswick. We were very warmly welcomed in New Brunswick last winter. Our dollars will get spend,just not in your region.
There is also rumours your patrollers are targeting out of province riders. This is very concerning.
Sincerely xxxxxx
Any comments good or bad before l fire it away?

Thinking about sending this draft email to:
Zec Martin Valin
Tourism Saguenay
Tourism Quebec, should also cc every business in the area
 
We have two week long snowmobile trips planned for your region. One week with a group of 6 men, another couples trip with 6 people. Both for strictly on trail riding.
Recently found out about your new ZEC fee. The precedent set by this fee could become devastating to snowmobiling in Quebec.
We spend approximately $2,000.00 per person a week on sled trips. This is a sum of $24,000.00 spend on food, lodging gas etc supporting all your regional businesses. For many of these businesses the snowmobile revenue is their sole source of income.
Due to your new fees and the way it has been poorly handled we are considering changing our destination to one week in the Gaspe and another in New Brunswick. We were very warmly welcomed in New Brunswick last winter. Our dollars will get spend,just not in your region.
There is also rumours your patrollers are targeting out of province riders. This is very concerning.
Sincerely xxxxxx
Any comments good or bad before l fire it away?

Thinking about sending this draft email to:
Zec Martin Valin
Tourism Saguenay
Tourism Quebec, should also cc every business in the area
 
We have two week long snowmobile trips planned for your region. One week with a group of 6 men, another couples trip with 6 people. Both for strictly on trail riding.
Recently found out about your new ZEC fee. The precedent set by this fee could become devastating to snowmobiling in Quebec.
We spend approximately $2,000.00 per person a week on sled trips. This is a sum of $24,000.00 spend on food, lodging gas etc supporting all your regional businesses. For many of these businesses the snowmobile revenue is their sole source of income.
Due to your new fees and the way it has been poorly handled we are considering changing our destination to one week in the Gaspe and another in New Brunswick. We were very warmly welcomed in New Brunswick last winter. Our dollars will get spend,just not in your region.
There is also rumours your patrollers are targeting out of province riders. This is very concerning.
Sincerely xxxxxx
Any comments good or bad before l fire it away?

Thinking about sending this draft email to:
Zec Martin Valin
Tourism Saguenay
Tourism Quebec, should also cc every business in the area
 
We have two week long snowmobile trips planned for your region. One week with a group of 6 men, another couples trip with 6 people. Both for strictly on trail riding.
Recently found out about your new ZEC fee. The precedent set by this fee could become devastating to snowmobiling in Quebec.
We spend approximately $2,000.00 per person a week on sled trips. This is a sum of $24,000.00 spend on food, lodging gas etc supporting all your regional businesses. For many of these businesses the snowmobile revenue is their sole source of income.
Due to your new fees and the way it has been poorly handled we are considering changing our destination to one week in the Gaspe and another in New Brunswick. We were very warmly welcomed in New Brunswick last winter. Our dollars will get spend,just not in your region.
There is also rumours your patrollers are targeting out of province riders. This is very concerning.
Sincerely xxxxxx
Any comments good or bad before l fire it away?

I sent an e-mail to info@zecmartinvalin.com yesterday.
To Whom It May Concern,
I have a few questions about the "ZEC" trail pass.
Do I need a pass for each ZEC?
How long is the pass good for?
If I ride thru a ZEC and then return the same day, do I need another pass?
If I stay on the trail, do I need a pass?
If I need the pass for on the trail,  why doesn't the FCMQ pass cover the trail?
Are the trails posted that a ZEC pass is required?
What are the fees?
Do the ZEC "agents" have identification to show?
Please respond as soon as possible because I was planning a trip to Quebec.
Thank you,
Jack Kearns
I received a response from Nancy as follows.
Bonjour M.Kearns,
Vous avez besoin d’un droit de circulation pour la ZEC Martin-Valin.   Pour ce qui concerne les autres ZEC, je ne sais pas si elles sont en opération pendant l’hiver.
Votre droit d’accès est valide pour la durée de votre séjour en autant que vous dormez sur la ZEC.  Donc, si vous revenez le jour même , vous n’aurez pas besoin d’un autre droit d’accès.
Et oui, même si vous restez dans les sentiers, vous avez quand même besoin d’un droit de circulation de la ZEC.
La FCMQ et la ZEC sont deux organismes distinctes.
Nous avons des panneaux d’affichages aux entrées de la ZEC qui indiquent qu’un droit de circulation est obligatoire.
Le tarif est de 11.70$ pour le droit de circulation.
Les patrouilleurs de la ZEC, sont très bien identifiés.
Je vous souhaite une belle journée
Nancy
Translated.
Hello Mr. Kearns,
You need a traffic right for the ZEC Martin-Valin. As for the other ZECs, I don't know if they are in operation during the winter.
Your right of access is valid for the duration of your stay as long as you sleep in the ZEC. So, if you come back the same day, you will not need another access right.
And yes, even if you stay on the trails, you still need a ZEC traffic right.
The FCMQ and the ZEC are two separate organizations.
We have billboards at the entrances to the ZEC indicating that a right of circulation is compulsory.
The rate is $11.70 for the right of circulation.
ZEC patrollers are very well identified.
I wish you a nice day
Nancy
My response back to Nancy.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your quick response.  With this information, we will not be traveling thru the Zec Martin-Valin.  If we were riding off trail thru the deep snow of the Zec making our own path, I would understand the additional charge.  Riding on the trails that are groomed and maintained by the FCMQ, I feel there shouldn't be an extra fee.  With what you have said, the FCMQ must be required to pay a fee every time a groomer or trail maintenance person travels thru the Zec.
I understand if we were off the trail system that is maintained by the FCMQ, we would be required to pay an additional fee as in Zec Onatchiway.  Zec Onatchiway has its own trail system and it is maintained by that Zec organization.  Although, we do not have to pay a fee to stop at Relais Onatchiway.
We have been snowmobiling in Quebec for many years and love the trail system and people.  I am disappointed that I am being discouraged to use the trail system that I have had access to for so many years.  The businesses around Zec Martin-Valin will also feel the pain due to fewer snowmobilers.
We, as snowmobilers, should have been advised about this change at the beginning of the season.  I only found out about this thru another snowmobiler that was stopped on the trail.  I will pass this information to other riders to inform them so they can also make a choice as to where they wish to ride.
Again thank you for your quick response.  It is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jack Kearns
I'm passing along the information that I have received from Nancy to inform you what her viewpoint is.  I think this will evolve as time goes on.  Hopefully the FCMQ will have some input and recommendations for us that have paid for the FCMQ pass.  For now, Sandi and I will stay off of Mt Valin.  We usually avoid this area due to so much traffic anyways.
Jack & Sandi

This is price listed for Zec Martin Valin
each Zec is managed independent of the others. 

Posted by NORTHBOUND last March

Hopefully by next year the transport will not be needed, but if it is, this is what we found,today. We were headed west from sept isle. Called from Baie Comeau last night. Called the guy in Pointe-aux-outardes, seemed most logistical. He owns the Petro Canada gas station in that town and has 2 rollback trucks. Nice guy named Thomas. We told him we would get into town at 9am. Trail goes right into town. He dropped us at a side road crossing at Columbier. But he is flexible. He could have picked us up in Baie Comeau or dropped us in Forestville. But he charges by the hour, so shorter is better. He charged us 135 plus tax. His rate is 100 per hour.
 All 3 of the guys on the poster are independent. Didn't check with the others. This guy seemed reasonable and was easy to work with.
      Jeff and Sandy 
 
 

I am guessing there is a nasty back story here. Will be interesting to hear from FCMQ, I bet when negotiating the trail agreement as is done each year the ZEC organization/ gangsters, We're probably moaning for $ And FCMQ,said no. So this is most likely to extort $ from FCMQ.
At 63 Zec's and a daily pass!!! This is a logistical nightmare for planning a trip!! Especially a on the fly plan. 
Seems like the Zec's need to erect toll booths and man them!!!! Sorry put a human at them.
You can see the writing on the wall, trail access fight between FCMQ and this NON PROFIT!!!!! Private Zec management thugs, that ultimately will lead to a sizable increase in trail pass costs to grease the Zec wheel!!!
That will lead to every other land owner/ manager looking for $$$$ slippery slope probably why FCMQ said No!!
IMO the trails and our $$$$$ are a needed cash flow for all involved the trail access should be eminent domain except changes for logging, its not a land seizure its just a winter access seizure.. everyone wins 🏆