towing

I had put together an other video of the returh from Marineau toward St-Zenon on this same ride

Yep! was the 2nd time our path crossed by pure chances in the last years. It's part of the fun to meet other passionate sledders, it bring some warmth to our outside lunch! oh glad to know you will burn some gaz in my playground! alone or with partners? You don't like my jacket??? too bad for you, I do!!! As for the 50k+ miles you are just a bit under, and it's not a joke!!! I'm surprise you don't mentioned Kristine's jacket... She have the same since 1994 I think, near everybody that had met Kristine on the trail seen her with this jacket... quick calculation bring us over the 100 000 miles but... we cheat a bit: She's on the 4th exact same one!!! Her dad have gave her the first one and I bought the 3 others ones one used on ebay. She don't want to wear anything else. An absolute Zero suit is on my wish list but not a priority... I succeed to replace Kristine's helmet last season, no chance she will change her jacket!!! Thank you sir 👍!!! You are welcome Tom! things are shaping up, I just hope a good snow drop that would open up the whole trail network... weather forecast is not encouraging but it is still early. Thanks mikerider! For the pic the occasion was to good to not taking it! This Mattawin river is really inviting/tempting, you should do but...for fishing I think it would be more funny few with few degrees up on the thermometer!

Here the path of the ride we did round trip yesterday Saturday January8, 2022 We started from St-Damien area on #23 trail going north. The St-Gabriel de Brandon club trail section was mint but the Mandeville was rought. We passed their failed dozer that was still on the trail The #23 trail change path this season at #350 junction (the red circle on the map) To follow the #23 we now need to keep right at that junction, toward Koubec for few miles and then turn left at next junction on the very old trail path of the #23 that is the right one this season. This lead us toward Cabanon. Many sledders in place turn left to take last years path... that is not groomed There are closed signs but with the rest of the signage still there some sledders are confuse and take closed trail. Pay attention if you pass there... The sections groomed by Royaume club were very nice We rode toward Taureau dam And then kept on #360 trail along Mattawin river toward Marineau auberge Even with the deep cold there was many sledders on the trails. The first #360 section up to #345 junction(Repos) was already slightly wear but was riding good and few miles farther in the Mattawin club section It was very nice. I put together I short video of beautiful sections along the mattawin river up to Marineau Marineau covid's measure setup is nice: the toilets are accessibles and they have a section inside for us to warm up a bit. Marie-Josée always as kind and efficient sold us a warm meal that we ate outside on our BRP camping table During our meal we had a nice surprise guest that came just aside us. Trailblazer was at breaking in his new engine on his sled in my playground. We had the chance to talk with him a bit before retracing our steps on the same path for the return We stopped at our usual spot for a pic break It give an idea of the snow cover up there... The day traffic had wear the trails and many curves were swept/icy so we had to adjust the pace. The last #360 section before the dam was rought but between the dam and Cabanon was still pretty good other than icy curves. The only very bad bumpy section was the one already bad in the morning in Mandeville section. They were at recovering the failed dozer when we pass there. Finally a good ride of 210miles for us. The snow is pretty good on this ride path and if you have the chance to do it on the week days the conditions will be even better especially at the end of the day. I still have some other good footage and I hope to have the time to put together some other video in the next days think snow! Alain

it's all the same ride, last Monday 3 January. The temperature was very cold and the trail was hard as concrete the whole day giving mint trail conditions. It is the same this morning (-22C at home) and I hope for as good conditions today... As for the reservoir run the trail is beaten like 100 feets wide and was completely flat, one of the best I had seen there.suspect many did it back and forth just for speed fun!

You are welcome motonick, wish you to receive your new toy soon!

here is a video fro this ride between the Taureau dam and Cabanon passing by St-Michel des Saint and the reservoir highway

I just have 2 rides done this season a Tuesday and a Monday so I have not seen myself but to be honest, with the limited playground we have actually I would expect traffic especially Saturday. This last ride was on a holiday Monday but with -25C in the morning and a high at-16C at mid-day when we have to eat outside it discourage a bunch from riding and the trails were not very busy. If you get a Saturday at freezing point, there are big chances the trails will go junk quickly but like this next Saturday they forecast previous night at -24C and the warmest at -15C for Saturday so I expect the trails conditions will stay pretty nice... I will be myself on the trail. Big welcome to you! I wish you a good season and some nice Quebec sledding miles in the next weeks!

It's a 900 ace plain, no need for the turbo for us. I prefer the advantage this simple engine give( regular fuel, better fuel range) than the extra power the turbo would give us. I have a bit over 1200 miles done so far and in sport mode below 60mph the power is not that far from my old Yammie and I try to keep below the sixties... not always succeed but I try 😄 Yes I'm back in shape! too bad I waste a part of my vacation sick... it was sooo nice to ride again! bring the snow i'm ready! Have a good season and enjoy too!

We leave our bed early this morning for a 155 miles ride around the Taureau reservoir -25C at 9:00 when we started from Lac Blanc auberge trailer parking lot. It is a bit limit on snow near the auberge but when in the mastigouche reserve it was freshly groomed: perfect We did the north side of the loop first so toward Taureau dam. The #23 section that have been plowed earlier in December was now perfect This water look very hot!!! Fresly groomed on the north side of the reservoir We cut on reservoir by the local trail from l'auberge du Lac taureau to the St-Michel village that was nice and fast. The reservoir level is still high and the ice cover had almost no drops yet. A foursome was playing golf on the court near the village of St-Michel We fueled up at St-Michel and then stop at an old view point on the top of the mountain for lunch. There are some potatoes in the big hills but the rest of the trail nice. The sun was nice but it was for the strong one to eat outside today! The #63 toward Cabanon was nice and the #23 in Mastigouche Reserve even more The last strech toward l'auberge du lac Blanc was a bit bumpy. It miss some snow but will be ok with grooming. They install a wood stove with tables and bench around to heat up and eat at the Auberge and take out orders are available like last year. So an easy 155 miles for her first run to Kristine and 2nd for me. I have tried some video but my camera setup have hard time trying to withstand those temperature. I will check at what I recorded and probably be able to put something together for later. So the season is really started there. let's enjoy! Alain

miss you by an hour or 2 this morning, we pass on the dam around 11:00. I really hesitate to go at Mattawin but play conservative on the mileage and did the loop around the reservoir. It was for the strong one to eat outside today! Have a good trip, enjoy!

👍 I got a sledding dose and give you some methadone 😄 You are welcome jak! Liking it more and more 😀 I just installed 3 Elkas stage4 (2 front +central and kept the air shock)and install bushings in the rear coil springs, install the full tunnel protector, Dupont slides, GPS. I will soon output a usb jack to power my gopro remote and will play with the suspensions adjustments to get the most of the beast! can't wait to hit the trails again with Kristine this time...

Hi guys! The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is! Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter. I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen here the first one and this one starting from Koubec and the third one really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/ So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

here is the last communication from from Royaume snowmobile club, pretty much what I expected: trails survived but no grooming tonight, icy and some rocks have pointed out. https://www.facebook.com/clubleroyaumedelamotoneige/posts/2951612858484390 I postpone my riding to the beginning of the next week

What I know is that they had a bit of snow+rain not much but it had been especially warm yesterday, The temp rise up to +8C yesterday evening and was just at the freezing point this morning and stay there since. The Royaume post on their facebook page yesterday to not ride until it freeze back and they will give more info later. https://www.facebook.com/clubleroyaumedelamotoneige/posts/2950906091888400 I would think the trail base will survive but will be icy for sure. I don't think it will be freeze back enough to groom tonight so I am on the edge to decide if I go tomorrow or not. It is suppose to snow tomorrow, a couple inches to give some lube but it surely had some smart ass that had ride when the trail was soft so without a dozer pass I doubt that it will be that fun... The best for me should be waiting Sunday for riding but I have family commitments so if I skip tomorrow it will be somewhere next week (I'm on vacation but not my best half) There is no real big snow on the forecast and the open trail area was already limited at the Mastigouche reserve and the loop around the Taureau Reservoir before this last warmup...so for now it is not what we were all hoping for... need white stuff to enlarge the possibilities Will left more info when I know more...

Yes I will, in the forecast it's really this next thursday that is worrying... the rest is fine. here's a pic from today 14dec st-zenon from facebook that I see tonight https://www.facebook.com/groups/trippeuxmotoneige/permalink/3254375768131729/

I had not the chance to ride yet but from the facebook reports I seen from peoples who ride there in the last days the trails were surprisingly nice for season beginning. The rain they had last saturday seems to have just harden the trail base and shape up the conditions. The next Thursday will be to watch, pretty warm weather on the forecast with a bit of rain. I hope to ride this next saturday if mother nature is good enough with us Here a facebook report from the Royaume snowmobile club saying thank you to those how help to clean the trails after the strong winds last sunday. https://www.facebook.com/alain.towing.5/posts/1230827060741623

I can't confirm for all the papers but for the covid negative test results it was fine for me to have it just on my phone(not paper) when I came back to Canada 2 weeks ago (by air). Just be wise and have it on more than one phone and also available in your email box, just in case!

St-Zenon snowmobile club( know as Cabanon / club du Royaume) have begin to groom Tuesday and St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club have start grooming Wednesday. There are not tons of snow there but enought to start grooming, facebook reports I seen are good. The next week end will be warm with some of snow and rain on the forecast, nothing destructive. I expect this to improve the actual trail base but I probably won't ride this weekend. If mother nature don't ruin what is already there, Yes there will be good sledding to do there for sure during Christmas holidays I share this taken on facebook from today by Martin (Hotel Central) in St-Michel https://www.facebook.com/martin.benoit.31521/videos/202304172062036

Yes we will take it! just seen St-Michel des saints club had start to groom today as well... sound good https://www.facebook.com/clubmotoneigesmds/posts/2705821859721232

The Cabanon dozers (club du Royaume) have started grooming today. From what the lady say in the facebook video, they start creating a trail loop in the Mastigouche reserve (trail#23) that will pass near koubec to give a total 150km loop. From what I Know they don't have tons of snow but the last drop end up with pretty compact stuff excellent for trail base. facebook video here https://fb.watch/9LI43_LRbr/

We won't ride this weekend but things slowly shaping up. The last 3 weeks+ had been colder than the average and the next 2 weeks forecast look good (around -15Cnight /-8Cday in st-Zenon area) We have a bit of snow/ice to the ground home, St-Zenon had something like 5-6" of powder(last weekend). There is a storm on the way, a 6" of snow forecast Sunday but some rain on Monday so we have to wait and see but it is plausible to be able to ride mid. december if mother nature cooperate... So it is looking way better than last season, I keep you inform how it goes...

Yes I had the confirmation this week, Real decided to stay closed like last last season (was closed last season too) It is their choice, they have been opened for the 3 other season this year but choose to take a break for the winter months Fortunately it is the only place in my area that made this choice, other outfitters will be there

I'm just back from a 3 weeks trip in California and had to pass throught the hassle of the covid testing on both ways (because we traveled by air). Doing the test before leaving Canada wasn't complicated and easy to plan because we were at home in our area but testing on the road for the return was way more an headache (my 2 first weeks in CA were for my job and the last week was for fun so we were Kristine and me on a road trip). We were told by few friends to use the Walgreen ID now NAAT test which is accepted by Canada border and have rapid results in less than 24hrs, typically in just few hours and can even be free! but we found that California was one of the rare state where this test wasn't available at Walgreen. We had tried to find an equivalent NAAT testing or a rapid PCR test in the area we had planned to be 48-72 hours before our return flight but it was complicated/very expensive or not having any guarantee on the results delay. We ended up moving our route to be in L.A. 2 days before our flight because testing was way more affordable there and been tested in a private clinic with an expedited regular pcr test that end up at $150/each with results in 12hours which pretty much the best option for us. So my advice for you who want to come sledding here is to check if the Walgreen ID now NAAT test is available in your area/state. If so this is one easy/cheap option that work actually, just have to follow the covid parade to ensure it will still be a valid option at the moment of your trip. Even if this option is not available, being tested in your area before leaving is not a such big hassle, mainly if you have the chance to not having to deal with the testing troubles on your return home in usa. Even with the covid restrictions we are so glad to had the chance to did this fantastic trip in CA. It was a little trouble for alot of fun an memories...

Yeah, it's a new season that is just pointing ahead! It is looking so much better than at the same time last season. We can expect I think a "near normal" season, at least in the new normality parameters of having to show vaccination proof here and there and wearing a mask at some points. For now the covid19 situation here is under good control and the restrictions are slowly releasing which is very encouraging. With the border being already reopened the whole picture is really promising for now From what I have been told almost all outfitters/service points are planning to be there for us in Lanaudiere and Mauricie, no big issue yet that I am aware of. For now we are waiting for snow! The last year season's opening having been so late, the mark won't be hard to beat this year! Hoping to left my first tracks in the beggining of december like the 2 seasons before... I left you this video from 2018 opener, it was with my old camera setup a bit more shaky but the scenery was pretty impressive in the Mastigouche wildlife reserve It was a 1st december... like in just a month! Alain

If you rent a cabin you will certainly having food for supper, the note was for lunch takeout at noon 👍