towing

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

The world is small we crossed you and Caro twice around the Taureau lake yesterday, we were doing the loop reverse as you from Pourvoirie du Lac-Blanc where Snowcruiser and me dropped the sleds from the trailers. We first crossed you between the #33 junction and the road side section on the west side of the lake and then on the #345 middle way between the dam and the Cabanon.
No chances you would reconized me with my new ride but even I had not noticed your stickers, the lights on your apex are very distinctive+ on a blue and a white/red yammy I had highly doubt is was you. Don't worry, all your group was perfectly on their side of the trail!👍
Glad you had the chance to enjoy those good trail conditions. in contrary of other years, it's the souther trails that turned to junk at the end of the saturdays and the north trails hold pretty well, way batter than south...Curfew/covid effect... all is different this year! 
thanks for the pics report 😍
 
 
 

The world is small we crossed you and Caro twice around the Taureau lake yesterday, we were doing the loop reverse as you from Pourvoirie du Lac-Blanc where Snowcruiser and me dropped the sleds from the trailers. We first crossed you between the #33 junction and the road side section on the west side of the lake and then on the #345 middle way between the dam and the Cabanon.
No chances you would reconized me with my new ride but even I had not noticed your stickers, the lights on your apex are very distinctive+ on a blue and a white/red yammy I had highly doubt is was you. Don't worry, all your group was perfectly on their side of the trail!👍
Glad you had the chance to enjoy those good trail conditions. in contrary of other years, it's the souther trails that turned to junk at the end of the saturdays and the north trails hold pretty well, way batter than south...Curfew/covid effect... all is different this year! 
thanks for the pics report 😍
 
 
 

Thank you Iceman! We are not made to change sled often, we are very picky on some details but yes we will get it right for us
👍👍👍

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

Ok 2nd day March 3, 2021

Starting from Mont-Laurier after a good outdoor breakfast at Tim's



We headed west on #63 trail to get on the #322 and ride on the Baskatong reservoir. Fortunately it had snowed a bit overnight because there is a long plowed road section at the start of #322

Here is a first video which summarizes this section. For best viewing, turn on the sound and crank the player's quality to 1080p on the big screen.
 
Then we did the local trails in the Devil Mountain Regional Park. Here to start, the tower's mountain and the Devil's mountain views
We then went for an outdoor lunch at Windigo Falls. It had been several years since I had been there and I was a bit disappointed to see that we could no longer approach the fall site by sled. We have to park and walk a 700-800 feet to get at the base of the falls but the walk is well worth it! I also climbed up and went up the river a bit to capture some nice images
 
We then headed east on #322 trail through Chutes St-Philippe and passed the #53 trail to take a local trail toward north that took us to the Kiamika dam. We then joined back the #53 to our night destination
We ended the day with 154miles and we heated the wood stove in the evening in a chalet at Mekoos



day#3 to follow...

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

The world is small we crossed you and Caro twice around the Taureau lake yesterday, we were doing the loop reverse as you from Pourvoirie du Lac-Blanc where Snowcruiser and me dropped the sleds from the trailers. We first crossed you between the #33 junction and the road side section on the west side of the lake and then on the #345 middle way between the dam and the Cabanon.
No chances you would reconized me with my new ride but even I had not noticed your stickers, the lights on your apex are very distinctive+ on a blue and a white/red yammy I had highly doubt is was you. Don't worry, all your group was perfectly on their side of the trail!👍
Glad you had the chance to enjoy those good trail conditions. in contrary of other years, it's the souther trails that turned to junk at the end of the saturdays and the north trails hold pretty well, way batter than south...Curfew/covid effect... all is different this year! 
thanks for the pics report 😍
 
 
 

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

Ok 2nd day March 3, 2021

Starting from Mont-Laurier after a good outdoor breakfast at Tim's



We headed west on #63 trail to get on the #322 and ride on the Baskatong reservoir. Fortunately it had snowed a bit overnight because there is a long plowed road section at the start of #322

Here is a first video which summarizes this section. For best viewing, turn on the sound and crank the player's quality to 1080p on the big screen.
 
Then we did the local trails in the Devil Mountain Regional Park. Here to start, the tower's mountain and the Devil's mountain views
We then went for an outdoor lunch at Windigo Falls. It had been several years since I had been there and I was a bit disappointed to see that we could no longer approach the fall site by sled. We have to park and walk a 700-800 feet to get at the base of the falls but the walk is well worth it! I also climbed up and went up the river a bit to capture some nice images
 
We then headed east on #322 trail through Chutes St-Philippe and passed the #53 trail to take a local trail toward north that took us to the Kiamika dam. We then joined back the #53 to our night destination
We ended the day with 154miles and we heated the wood stove in the evening in a chalet at Mekoos



day#3 to follow...

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

Congratulations on the new Sled. I am sure you will get it right where you both are very happy with it. 

Like any marriage!
Thanks again for the vids, tres bon therapie!

We get going. I cannot really see Denis as he is leading but I do know one thing, I am not used to being 3rd in line. I like to lead and that will not change. Claudia goes pretty good she is keeping right, much more than I expected. Doing a fine job, I give her lots of space as I can tell she is nervous when I can see her she is checking her mirrors constantly, maybe too much. I back it off more. Now I got mrs Ice i had told her you have been on this trail before you like it. She does and she is ready to run. 
trail is perfect in Parc 10/10. We hang back and stay close enough to stay in sight. When its straight. Fast run to intersection for Repos. Here, Denis who had been up here once is ready to go toward Repos. I had to explain nicely this was not the right way. He pulls out his cell phone and I think ok he is gonna show me IMotoneige, Negative he pulls up a photo he took his first time up here. Shows photo of VTT trail sign 257 i think. Sure enough there is a 257 (I don’t remember exactly which number as I have no VTT trail number knowledge) going up toward repos. I explain that is a VTT sign and means nothing to me. He is very cool and so is Claudia she just follows him. I told him trust me I kinda been around this block many times. 
I wanted to be (and was) super polite. He had let Claudia lead a bit but she wanted none of that. Denis goes at a good speed. Caro is faster than Claudia and more on the right. 
At this point. He says we will follow you. Perfect. Back to the point where I belong. We head on toward the Barrage trail is top shape no one has caught us from behind however the traffic is starting to pass heading the other way. At days end Claudia said she has never seen that many sleds pass in one day. There was alot for sure but not a record breaker. Big trail in great shape all good. We cruise on and arrive at Auberge Lac Taureau, i been by here lots never been inside. Bisto bar is open we park and head on in. 

 

Thanks you for the wishes PLAYHARD!
I have to put in context that we were riding a pretty much aftermarket's modified beast, fine tune over many years so it was not realistic to hope to have a new toy better just out of the box. One of the first Kristine's comment was the suspension feels like the Boivin when it was packed full of snow! 😂 I was already knowing we would lose with any stock touring sled on this point, i had choose the one I think would be the best
There are plus and minus but I would tell from the Queen's trone, other than the ride being less smooth when the trail is rough, the position is nice for her but she is seated lower compared to me so the front view is not as good but it's ok. The non-adjustable backrest had a weird angle way too straight and the top was trying to skeeze under her scapula so I already modify it by pushing the lower part a big inch front giving a more natural angle which she is very pleased now. The footrest give her a better grip but are colder than the yammy one. A new to her feature she now love is the heated seat! just too bad it have just one setting: broil! even Kristine is not able to keep it on even at -20C. We highly consider bringing bacon and eggs and use it to cook for our outdoor lunches! 🤣
 
The last thaw have been hard on the south trails here especially in the wood sections that are brown as well as yours. The weather forecast I saw for the next week are not good at all, we will wait and see but it smell the end for the south trails
As for the sled from my point, also plus and minus. Other than what I already mentioned the 900 ace engine is handsome, enough powerful for our needs and easier on gaz which give us better fuel range. The darting was bad in many trail condition/air shock setting but I just put a set of snowtracker which lighten the steering and enable one hand precise driving live my yammys, very happy with the result. A thing a would think would be behind with a brp is the ice in the tunnel...wrong!  it is even worse to the point it interfere with the track travel and make endless grooling noise in very cold wheather. Those G4 seems to be bad ice makers. The driving position is very different but I wil get used to it. Wind protection is not as good but the heated grips and thumb are very powerfull and the heated seat is a bonus. The cluster is handsome and having the option to play with the air shock on the flag is nice.
I think I have a great base in the hands to customize. It's different DNA with their quality and flaw, I'm pretty sure we will be very happy with it with some improvements
 
 

Ok 2nd day March 3, 2021

Starting from Mont-Laurier after a good outdoor breakfast at Tim's



We headed west on #63 trail to get on the #322 and ride on the Baskatong reservoir. Fortunately it had snowed a bit overnight because there is a long plowed road section at the start of #322

Here is a first video which summarizes this section. For best viewing, turn on the sound and crank the player's quality to 1080p on the big screen.
 
Then we did the local trails in the Devil Mountain Regional Park. Here to start, the tower's mountain and the Devil's mountain views
We then went for an outdoor lunch at Windigo Falls. It had been several years since I had been there and I was a bit disappointed to see that we could no longer approach the fall site by sled. We have to park and walk a 700-800 feet to get at the base of the falls but the walk is well worth it! I also climbed up and went up the river a bit to capture some nice images
 
We then headed east on #322 trail through Chutes St-Philippe and passed the #53 trail to take a local trail toward north that took us to the Kiamika dam. We then joined back the #53 to our night destination
We ended the day with 154miles and we heated the wood stove in the evening in a chalet at Mekoos



day#3 to follow...

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

Ok 2nd day March 3, 2021

Starting from Mont-Laurier after a good outdoor breakfast at Tim's



We headed west on #63 trail to get on the #322 and ride on the Baskatong reservoir. Fortunately it had snowed a bit overnight because there is a long plowed road section at the start of #322

Here is a first video which summarizes this section. For best viewing, turn on the sound and crank the player's quality to 1080p on the big screen.
 
Then we did the local trails in the Devil Mountain Regional Park. Here to start, the tower's mountain and the Devil's mountain views
We then went for an outdoor lunch at Windigo Falls. It had been several years since I had been there and I was a bit disappointed to see that we could no longer approach the fall site by sled. We have to park and walk a 700-800 feet to get at the base of the falls but the walk is well worth it! I also climbed up and went up the river a bit to capture some nice images
 
We then headed east on #322 trail through Chutes St-Philippe and passed the #53 trail to take a local trail toward north that took us to the Kiamika dam. We then joined back the #53 to our night destination
We ended the day with 154miles and we heated the wood stove in the evening in a chalet at Mekoos



day#3 to follow...

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

Thanks you for the wishes PLAYHARD!
I have to put in context that we were riding a pretty much aftermarket's modified beast, fine tune over many years so it was not realistic to hope to have a new toy better just out of the box. One of the first Kristine's comment was the suspension feels like the Boivin when it was packed full of snow! 😂 I was already knowing we would lose with any stock touring sled on this point, i had choose the one I think would be the best
There are plus and minus but I would tell from the Queen's trone, other than the ride being less smooth when the trail is rough, the position is nice for her but she is seated lower compared to me so the front view is not as good but it's ok. The non-adjustable backrest had a weird angle way too straight and the top was trying to skeeze under her scapula so I already modify it by pushing the lower part a big inch front giving a more natural angle which she is very pleased now. The footrest give her a better grip but are colder than the yammy one. A new to her feature she now love is the heated seat! just too bad it have just one setting: broil! even Kristine is not able to keep it on even at -20C. We highly consider bringing bacon and eggs and use it to cook for our outdoor lunches! 🤣
 
The last thaw have been hard on the south trails here especially in the wood sections that are brown as well as yours. The weather forecast I saw for the next week are not good at all, we will wait and see but it smell the end for the south trails
As for the sled from my point, also plus and minus. Other than what I already mentioned the 900 ace engine is handsome, enough powerful for our needs and easier on gaz which give us better fuel range. The darting was bad in many trail condition/air shock setting but I just put a set of snowtracker which lighten the steering and enable one hand precise driving live my yammys, very happy with the result. A thing a would think would be behind with a brp is the ice in the tunnel...wrong!  it is even worse to the point it interfere with the track travel and make endless grooling noise in very cold wheather. Those G4 seems to be bad ice makers. The driving position is very different but I wil get used to it. Wind protection is not as good but the heated grips and thumb are very powerfull and the heated seat is a bonus. The cluster is handsome and having the option to play with the air shock on the flag is nice.
I think I have a great base in the hands to customize. It's different DNA with their quality and flaw, I'm pretty sure we will be very happy with it with some improvements
 
 

Ok 2nd day March 3, 2021

Starting from Mont-Laurier after a good outdoor breakfast at Tim's



We headed west on #63 trail to get on the #322 and ride on the Baskatong reservoir. Fortunately it had snowed a bit overnight because there is a long plowed road section at the start of #322

Here is a first video which summarizes this section. For best viewing, turn on the sound and crank the player's quality to 1080p on the big screen.
 
Then we did the local trails in the Devil Mountain Regional Park. Here to start, the tower's mountain and the Devil's mountain views
We then went for an outdoor lunch at Windigo Falls. It had been several years since I had been there and I was a bit disappointed to see that we could no longer approach the fall site by sled. We have to park and walk a 700-800 feet to get at the base of the falls but the walk is well worth it! I also climbed up and went up the river a bit to capture some nice images
 
We then headed east on #322 trail through Chutes St-Philippe and passed the #53 trail to take a local trail toward north that took us to the Kiamika dam. We then joined back the #53 to our night destination
We ended the day with 154miles and we heated the wood stove in the evening in a chalet at Mekoos



day#3 to follow...

Agreed 100%

Saturday 
We had our improvised breakfast, got dressed and headed over to the Parc entrance to meet up with Claudia and Denis. I have never met either of them. They arrive late. I know we aint got that far to go so whatever but times a wasting. Today will be a big day for Caro as the original plan is to go up 360 then go around La Taureau to St Michael then back through Cabanon and over barrage Taureau back on 360 to Mattawin. I calculated like 320km. Being as Caro has never done more than 220km in a day this was gonna be pushing her a bit. 
Anyway I meet Claudia and Denis. She has a renegade 900 ace and he has a 850 backcountry. Turns out she has been riding about 3 years. Denis is the Rookie in his first season. Being it was their party and we were just joining in. I told them you go first we will follow. This gave me a chance to size up their technique and see just what’s up. 
Right out the gate a slight further delay as a skidder was felling trees right at the start of the trail near the parking there. The road is not plowed and I wanted to just burn up the road to get going but, did not want to seize control. 


To be continued.

It was great to be back at Marineau in Mattawin, lots of fond memories here, well along with Le Montangard and of Auberge Mekinac. I miss Richard and Edgar. 
It was at Mattawin when I was a much younger Jedi that I first met the Florida Snowman as he was arriving for a trip as we had just returned. 
This is a great stop being a short 2-3 hrs back to home so makes for a great first night if we leave in the afternoon or a great last night to get back home early. 
Now this year with the river trail being closed it’s definitely only one option for the quick ride up or back but with the river that makes two. Nice. 
Hotel has limited menu 

you order and go upstairs to pick up and eat in room. Closes at 7pm so last pickup is 6:45. They offer some prepared box breakfasts too. But we just stocked up on stuff from Depanneur across the street. Two bite brownies and blue powerade are much better than a box with a croissant and an apple.