towing

Very nice Alain.   Love your annual pictures of the ice sculptures. I am finding less and less places offer sugar pie these days. But got lucky yesterday and had some at Table du Mamam near Rimouski. 
mike
 

Always a yearly treat when you share your trip to St. Come Alain! Excellent!

X 10 Alain  & KIRI  like usual  great pics and report.. Keep up the good work..

@ Most groceries!...  
https://www.st-hubert.com/en/grocery-products/desserts/sugar-pie.html 
 

We stopped in Hotel central in Parent, had dinner with slyvia's cousin, he said she is at home and doing well, her eye is going to be OK and is now open. The idiot that did this is most likely going to jail, as far as I council tell he should consider that protective custody, he is not welcome in this area and it would be quite wise for him find a new place to be if he would like to stay whole. We left a 100$ donation for her fund on behalf of Quebec rider, these folks are very nice people and have been very good to our community for decades, support them when you are in this area.

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Finally made it up for the first time this year this past weekend.  We rode Friday through Sunday in the St. Zenon area, as far south as St Damien, North as Lac Repos, east over to Sacacomie and slightly west of SMDS.   About 570 miles in the three days that we rode.   We found excellent snow coverage almost everywhere along with excellent conditions, especially considering weekend riding.   Classic Quebec trip!!!  Introduced two newbies to the sport and got them spoiled out of the gate.  As no surprise, we encountered fantastic customer service everywhere we went.   It had been awhile since I was in this area.  I chose it because of the newbies and our ability to ride day loops without back packing.  That concept seems to be a bit scary for a newbie!   I noted a handful of trail changes between this time and the last.   Just wanted to give a shout out to all of those involved in one way or another in planning, preparing and maintaining the trail system.   Many other areas, Ontario, Michigan, NY never seem to take pride in their trail systems in terms of spending time to correct problems.  If there's forestry working taking place, they don't seek out a reroute, snowmobilers just have to deal with it or they close the trail down.  If there's a road that must be ridden, again, it must be dealt with and they don't even seem to think about grooming the berm.   Not the case in Quebec.  It seems like every effort is made to make this province a snowmobiler haven!   So for those of you who make that effort day in and day out, I sincerely thank you and appreciate all the hard work.   It is clear reciprocity, the folks know the importance of snowmobilers and snowmobilers feel important and welcomed.   Can't wait to back pack in a few weeks with my traditional group! 

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

We left Cabanon at 3pm on Tuesday and took 345 to M21 then M21 to Matawin River for the night, 100 miles on mint trails and did not see another sled all the way, only 1 other sled there when we arrived.Left for Lac Edward on Wed am, the middle section of the pipe line to La-tuque was groomed when it was too warm, not enough snow to fill it in then it froze, total junk for 15 miles, but the lower and upper half are very nice. Took the right hand turn to Lac Edward, no marks from anyone, mint concrete race way, very nice!! Quick lunch and gas then 355 to Chateau Roberville on Lake st John, super mint again no other sleds in any direction. Thursday am off to relay 22 on 83 south, once again our 3rd blue bird day in a row with temps around 8 f, and no sleds anywhere.The new bridge on 83 above Relay 22 is nearly done, but the section of plowed road needs new snow but quite passable. Relay 22 is packed, even though we see nobody all day long on mint trails. Gas and go to Gouin Reservoir then off to Parent, again trails are mint, only sled we see all the way to Parent is Snow master going east on 83 to Wemotacci, we are headed west, both of us trying to beat dark, we will talk another day. Had dinner at Central and stayed the night, some older men from Ontario share a wealth of info with us about trails to the west where we are headed. Thursday we head out to 100 Lacs for soup and the trial is incredible, could not be better and it is 30 below, not even thinking about the cold weather, we are just amazed that we are on day 4 and still blue bird and mint trail it seems it is our private trail system, still seeing no other sleds!! Below Lac 100 we go left thru the forest, on of the best kept secrets in all of Quebec, this is a gorgeous trail and mint with not a single sighting in either direction, we really cannot believe it. We head for Cockanagog on the north east top of Baskatong Reservoir and arrive at 530, they have a cabin for us with a wood stove, very nice. They are 6 miles down a road, off the trail but a very sweet find, they tell us dinner is in 45 minutes, we arrive to the very best meal we have seen in 32 years of Quebec, that is quite a feat as there is a lot of great food on the trail.Saturday am gas breakfast and west to Point David on Baskatong Reservoir, trails are still mint but we now have company on the trail...everywhere!! When you are in this area have a GPS or know where you are going because the signage out here is a real joke. No east or west signs, no north or south signs, signs on the back of other signs on the wrong side of the trail, signs 3 miles thru an unmarked intersection, etc, do not travel here in the dark unless you know where you are going or have a GPS.We are now trying to figure out which would be the easiest way to get back to the truck, it is 250 miles away at Cabanon and it is 9am Saturday morning. We decide to go to 63 and stay there to St Michelle. The rail bed is quite boring but groomed well and in a blink we are at the airport 150 miles away, very little traffic and we gas and go thru the park from Mecassa, the trail is starting to fall apart in the second half towards St Michelle. We went thru the parking lot of Hautte Matawin ski doo dealer to head toward st. Zenon, and now we are paying for 4.5 days of perfection, the trail is so bad I want to go back to town and call a taxi for a ride!! We arrived back to Le cabanon at 6pm in the dark feeling like we were now members of the Canadian snow cross team, My fault, we should know better to enter this region on a Saturday night or Sunday, but it is a very good place to leave your truck and trailer for safety reasons. Roast beef was great for dinner and we were on the drive home at 4 am.New sleds have 950 miles in 4 1/4 days, and zero trouble, really love this 850 expedition extreme, 2 weeks for the next one , going for 9 days, hope we have the same luck!!

I watch the other videos as well from the post on dootalk and you catch an epic aventure! really funny to watch, those 2 guys got the ride of their life... backward! The comments on the video are really good and funny.
probably the best funny sled video I seen! thanks for having shared!

I watch the other videos as well from the post on dootalk and you catch an epic aventure! really funny to watch, those 2 guys got the ride of their life... backward! The comments on the video are really good and funny.
probably the best funny sled video I seen! thanks for having shared!

Here a bonus to the photo ride report, a mounted video from scenes taken in the morning of this last ride.
As usual, crank up the quality and the sound and enjoy!
 

Here a bonus to the photo ride report, a mounted video from scenes taken in the morning of this last ride.
As usual, crank up the quality and the sound and enjoy!
 

I was joking about it, when the animal show up it always seems easy to catch it but when it's you that trying to find it, it's an other game!!!
Thanks Cnc! We see some turkeys here but not as much and not as often as you seems to have on your side. For sure it is something new here because the first we seen in a trail is 3 years ago and since I see some each years.