Mid Range

as far as I'm concerned........it will be business as usual.Never heard of anything lately whatsoever As a matter of fact.........$112,000 have been invested into Laverendrye wildlife reserve this summer in order to reopen TQ 63 this year......great news for us!!!!

According to a user on the Québec forum..Trail 347 between Rivière Matawin and Latuque won't be open fort the next 3 years due to logging activities

ok guys outside Québec......extra money in your pocket http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/port...ion_pneus_hiver During what part of the year is the use of snows tires mandatory in Québec? Under the Highway Safety Code, all taxis and passenger vehicles registered in Québec must be equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving from December 15 to March 15. This also applies to passenger vehicles for rent in Québec. This measure will come into effect by decree in the fall of 2008. What is the purpose of introducing this measure into the Highway Safety Code? This new measure is designed to increase highway safety. Information collected in 2005 shows that 38% of the accidents that occur during the winter involve at least one vehicle that is equipped with all-season tires. These vehicles are therefore strongly overrepresented in these accidents. In addition, the proportion of the occurrence of loss of control is even higher when the vehicles involved are equipped with all-season tires. Tires that are designed specifically for winter driving conditions are a safe solution for driving in winter. They are designed to achieve maximum adherence on snow or ice covered surfaces. What types of vehicles will have to be equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving? This measure is directed at taxis and passenger vehicles that are registered in Québec, as well as passenger vehicles that are rented in Québec. What is the definition of winter tires? The draft regulation, published on July 9, 2008 in the Gazette officielle du Québec, defines tires specifically designed for winter driving as those that meet one of the following criteria prior to December 15, 2014: Tires on which one of the following inscriptions appear: Arctic, Blizzard, Ice, LT, Snow (but not mud and snow), Stud or Winter. or Tires on which the icon representing a mountain with a superimposed snowflake appears. Starting on December 15, 2014, the draft regulation specifies that only those tires on which the icon representing the mountain with the superimposed snowflake appears shall be considered to be winter tires. It is important to note that the draft regulation has not yet been adopted and that it may be improved upon following comments that may be sent to the Minister over the course of the 45-day period following the publication of the draft regulation in the Gazette officielle du Québec. In which cases does the mandatory requirement to equip vehicles with tires specifically designed for winter driving not apply? Winter tires are not mandatory for: the emergency tires on taxis on passenger vehicles; passenger vehicles with temporary registration plates (X); motor homes, or vehicles that have been permanently outfitted as dwellings; vehicles for which the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has issued certificates for a period of seven days, to a maximum of four certificates for the period in question. Under what circumstances may the SAAQ issue a certificate authorizing the operation of a passenger vehicle or a taxi, if applicable, without winter tires? The acquisition of a vehicle, in order to make it possible to equip the vehicle with winter tires; The use of a vehicle for the purpose of leaving or entering Québec; When moving a vehicle from the establishment of a vehicle dealer to a site for its sale at an auction or from such a site to the establishment of such a dealer; The portion of a trip that constitutes the return to a departure point situated outside of Québec which, upon expiry of the rental period, is left in Québec by the renter. Are vehicles from outside of Québec affected by this measure? No, with the exception of certain rental vehicles. The legislative provision applies to vehicles (taxis and passenger vehicles) registered in Québec, as well as to passenger vehicles that are rented in Québec (regardless of where they are registered). How many winter tires must be used? All the tires on the vehicle must be tires specifically designed for winter driving. Are there fines for offenders? Yes, fines range from $200 to $300. Are demerit points deducted for such offences? No. What about vehicle models for which winter tires are not available? Vehicles for which winter tires are not available shall be excluded, by Departmental order, from the mandatory use of tires specifically designed for winter driving. Because the vehicles in question will change from year to year and because they may only become known quite late in the season, this Departmental order shall be published annually. Have provisions been made for those who go south for the winter? The owners of passenger vehicles who use their vehicles to leave or come back to Québec may obtain a certificate from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec authorizing the operation of such vehicles without tires specifically designed for winter driving for a period of seven days. During the period from December 15 to March 15, the Société may not issue more than four certificates for a given vehicle. The draft regulation for mandatory winter tires shall not apply to motor homes. Who will enforce the law? For passenger vehicles, enforcement of the law is the responsibility of police departments. Is there a grace period? There is nos grace period allocated for this law. Is it okay to use winter tires that are extremely worn down? The Highway Safety Code already specifies that vehicular equipment (including tires) must be in good condition. The Regulation respecting safety standards for road vehicles specifies that the depth of the tire tread or main groove must not be less than 1.6 mm for a vehicle that weighs less than 3000 kg. How many vehicles will this mandatory measure (winter tires) effect? This measure applies to all passenger vehicles and taxis registered in Québec, as well as all passenger vehicles rented in Québec. Depending on the number of vehicles registered, it can be estimated that approximately 4.5 million vehicles will be affected by this measure. According to our data, 90% of passenger vehicles already have winter tires. However, it is important to note that the definition of passenger vehicles specified in the Regulation respecting safety standards for road vehicles is different from the one that is specified in the HSC. It is therefore very difficult to assess with precision the number of vehicles effected. This is all the more true given that some vehicles that are rented in Québec may be registered outside of Québec.

I've read on the Québec board that tamarac has been sold and new owner was doing renovation. 11 rooms should be available with a bar and the famous sled shelter.Should have more details as the season gets nearer.

Balbuzard Sauvage on 83 east of Senneterre

Zoo of St-Félicien Bill.It is different now than it used to be 25 years ago.Now it represents the North American wildlife or even Canadian wildlife

right on longriders!!!!!

ok........ that shelter is next to this place

It's on 83 somewhere between relais 22 and Senneterre........come on guys you know where that is

Guys!!! this is a sled shelter.......where are we????

tanx timbo!!

Hi Andy.........obviously I'd like to meet you all. I know for you guys it's a long way from home.I will talk to my buddies and see what we can do vacation wise and if the boss at work is kind with me. Btw how far is 100 lacs from Beauregard?? Maniwaki-Beauregard is 150 miles give or take. Here's what happen when signage is very poor.Trying to find our way to Clova from Nottawissi

It is something i will look into it although it's in the middle of the week. here's map of woodrunner trails network http://coureurdesbois.ca/Carte_sentiers_2008.pdf

I don't even want to think how expensive the gas will be in those remote areas next winter ouch!!!!

Pourvoirie Haltaparche on 83 near Parent.I stopped for a meal once.That place was closed last winter.

with the magic of internet and for those who might be interested here's the death notice of our friend Bernard.Obviously it's in french COURNOYER BERNARD COURNOYER, M. BERNARD 1939-2008 Au CSSS de l'Énergie de Shawinigan-Sud, le 2 juillet 2008, est décédé à l'âge de 69 ans, M. Bernard Cournoyer, époux de Jocelyne Paquin, demeurant à Shawinigan-Sud. La famille accueillera parents et ami(e)s à la : Coopérative funéraire de la Mauricie 2280, 5e Avenue Shawinigan-Sud Heures d'accueil : lundi de 14 h à 17 h et de 19 h à 22 h, mardi, jour des funérailles, à partir de 11 h Les funérailles auront lieu le mardi 8 juillet 2008 à 14 h en l'église Saint-Sauveur L'inhumation aura lieu au cimetière Saint-Paul (Grand-Mère) Le défunt laisse dans le deuil son épouse Jocelyne Paquin; ses enfants : Eric et Pascal; son beau-frère Decky Paquin (Irène Duval); sa belle-soeur Marlène Paquin (Maurice Dargy); son oncle Albert Bernard (Thérèse Bédard); ainsi que plusieurs neveux, nièces, cousins, cousines et ami(e)s. Renseignements: (819) 537-8828. Télécopieur: (819) 537-8829. Courriel: funjcarbo@qc.aira.com Membre de la Fédération des coopératives funéraires du Québec.

Sad news....Bernard was one of a kind!!! beleive me guys like him are hard to find to keep the industry going RIP my fellow countryman!!

well when I look at the church..it reminds me the village of Lac Bouchette with the lake bearing the same name in background.......where is it Steven???

225 $ for a annual trail permit purchased on or before Dec. 9, 2008 250 $ for a annual trail permit purchased after Dec. 9, 2008 300 $ for a annual trail permit sold on trail* 150 $ for a annual trail permit for antique snowmobiles (1989 & older snowmobiles) 150 $ for a 7 day trail permit 50 $ per day for a daily trail permit 380 $ for a annual trail permit for snowmobiles used by rental companies http://www.fcmq.qc.ca/english/pages.asp?id=86 BTW here's a link to Québec gas price http://www.essencequebec.com/accueil.php

I have no idea why she has been replaced as of today.Nobody knows except those who are on board of FCMQ.Mr.Besner has been part of FCMQ board for the last 30 years. On the other hand,Ms.Ouellette had a very good background but she was not coming off the snowmobile world.We don't know all the facts.We will find out sooner or later.

Well that is quite interesting.....as FCMQ website is stating.....Mr.Besner has been nominated as new DG in replacement of Ms.Sylvie Ouellette who was nominated as the new DG back in January http://www.fcmq.qc.ca/doc/pdf/00000405_Com...%2008%20(A).pdf French Press Release.... http://www.fcmq.qc.ca/doc/pdf/00000736_Com...20Mars%2008.pdf

I can tell you something.....you did a great job for Ontario which was very helpful planning our trip in Ontario.I have a lot of infos for you but it will take a long time doing it.

Right Bill, as I posted before and you can see his name on the windshield.It is Mr. Paul Gélinas.We met him feb 14 in Clova.This guy ride like over 10 000 miles every winter.He told us he has been snowmobiling since 1959.Louis,our riding buddy, has been a sledder since 1960.

Great Report as well Andy and Steven.Excellent pics.Looks like you guys found where the snow was. Btw I saw in Clova Mr.Paul Gélinas,a well known sledder in Québec.He was riding a 2009 e-tec di.Apparently it does 30 mpg and oil consumption is 1 liter per 800 kms. He was heading to Balbuzard Sauvage then Chibougamau all by himself.

February 7/08 to February 15/08 Day 1 Maniwaki-Clova (trail 13/63-322- Rabaska woodrunner trails) Trail were in perfect condition right up to Rabaska lodge on the very north end of Baskatong Reservoir. We fueled up over there.Guy at the pump told us to follow Notawissi signs. Wrong!! cause we ended up at Notawissi Lodge for sweet nothing. We had to come back for 15 miles up to a Y junction. We have to take Gatineau club trail(no signage for Gatineau club) then you see Clova sign. Anyways we took that private trail which is part of the woodrunner trails network until Lépine road which will lead you to Clova. That stretch was in poor conditions specially in the curves. Once we got to Lépine road we noticed that trail has been plowed. We ended up behind the payloader shortly before Maxime lake. He was heading to Relais Evasion(Formerly known as Mcdault). Once we got to Relais Evasion,we asked the employee what was going on!!!!!. He said the fuel company was going to pick up its unpaid gas. Anyhow after fueling we kept going until Clova. Trail was in perfect condition. For those who knows Lépine Road....it's like a highway. I just want to tell everybody that there is another relay 5 miles north of Relais Evasion which is called Relais l'antre d'II. Very kind people who owns the place for 2 years now. We stayed in Clova at Auberge Clova Day 2 Clova-Val d'Or (trail TQ 83) The groomer did Clova-Forsythe the night before. I talked with the operator at the school since he parks the groomer next to it. So we left for Val d'Or on a freshly groomed trail until 7 kms before Balbuzard Sauvage outfitter since the trail has been rerouted. That 25 kms stretch was in poor conditions until we reached the plowed road. We rode the road for near 30 kms until Forsythe. That's where we are going back on TQ 83. So we took the 83 toward pourvoirie du Lac Faillon. You go thru the burned forest. Trees are all black. Not a nice landscape to say the least. We stopped for fuel at Lac faillon. The employee told us the 83 has been groomed from the day before. After a quick lunch we kept going til Senneterre. Senneterre-louvicourt-Val d'Or was simply A-W-S-O-M-E!!!!!!! Typicial Abitibi conditions.We stayed at Forestel in Val d'Or. Day 3 Val d’Or-Ville-Marie (Trail TQ 83-309-TQ 63) We took the 309 thru Rapide 7. Again trail was in perfect condition although 309 is more of a twisted trail. We rode 125 miles before fueling. We wanted to fueled up at Laforce but gas station was closed. So we stopped the SQ police on the road and they phoned in Moffet for us. We stopped in Moffet for gas. Témiscamingue area does not have that much snow. We stayed at Motel LeManoir in Ville-Marie. Day 4 Ville-Marie – Mattagami Lake (Ontario) (Trail TQ 63/83 - Top A - C106A - Top C). We left Ville-Marie under a few inches of fresh snow and it was quite windy and going thru many many open areas such as farmer lands. In Saint-Bruno de Guigues we saw signs for Ontario but we wanted to crossed into Ontario in Notre-Dame du Nord. So we landed on Lake Témiscamingue in NDN. We crossed the lake for near 20 miles but it was all staked. So we ended up in New Liskeard on Top A thru Earlton and Elk Lake. A lot of open areas on the Ontario side as well. Once passed Elk Lake on Top A, we took Trail C106A thru Matachewan then Top C to Mattagami Lake. Trails were in mint condition.We stayed at Minakwa Lodge. Day 5 Mattagami Lake - Cochrane (Ontario) (Trail Top C – A 106C) It was quite cold that morning but hey!!! Guess what!!! Top C was freshly groomed and very hard. This was one of the best ride of my trip although it was brutal cold. Top C runs under Power Lines Guys and the condition of Top C was awesome. We met the groomer south of Timmins. We fueled up in Timmins. After a quick lunch next to the gas station, we rode right up to Cochrane. Again Timmins-Cochrane was awesome and fast. We stayed at North Adventure Inn which is right by A106C trail. BTW there are 2 igloos that you can sleep in. Day 6 Cochrane (Ontario) – Rouyn-Noranda (Trail A105Q – TQ 93). We woke up at minus 32 degrees. One of the guy’s sled didn’t want to start. So we lost an hour. Beleive me it was a very cold day again. So we took trail A105Q to Québec. Trail was in decent condition. You are on a railroad bed for near 50 miles. Cochrane-LaSarre is 115 miles without fuel. That was it, we were back in Québec. We stayed at Motel Alpin in Rouyn Just a few words about Ontario. Trails were in very top shape and the signage is excellent. Two thumbs up to the volunteers of district 14 and 15. Day 7 Rouyn – Senneterre (trail TQ 83 – 307 – TQ 93). What can we say about Abitibi Trails. Again trails were up to their standards. We rode Rouyn to Rivière-Héva to Amos to Senneterre. We stayed at Motel Senabi. Day 8 Senneterre-Clova (Trail TQ 83) The 83 was freshly groomed until 386 going to Matchi-Manitou. Remaining to Lac Faillon was fairly good until Forsythe. Things were just about to get worst. That 25 kms stretch connecting to TQ 83 near Balbuzard Sauvage was in poor conditions. Very rough and one lane wide. Once we got back on TQ 83 to Clova, trail was in bad shape as well. Conditions were not good that day but hey!!! We couldn’t complained cause we had so far such great conditions. Once we got to Clova,groomer was just about to leave for Forsythe. Again we stayed at Auberge Clova. Day 9 Clova – Maniwaki (We took Lépine Road til Classic in Lytton- 322- TQ 13/63). Dominic,owner of Auberge Clova,told us that the groomer went all the way down to Lépine Bridge. So we took it knowing we would face some awesome conditions. So we did not take woodrunner trail to Gatineau Club but we kept going on Lépine road. One bad thing is once you reach Lépine Bridge you are ending up on a plowed road and quite sandy for +- 6 miles then you must take the old TQ 63(route from last year) until Restaurant Classic in Lytton. Anyways from Clova until Lépine bridge, it was number one. We rode 1700 miles and no breakdown.Here's some pics Auberge Clova in Clova near Ville-Marie Top C trail between Gogama and Timmins. Power lines rules!!! South of Cochrane at Top C and A106C junction Igloos at North Adventure Inn in Cochrane Trans-Québec 83 between Rouyn-Noranda and Preissac