Brdgbldr85

Thanks Timbo for the great report, I just rode your area before Christmas and encountered exactly what you said.

For a family, I would stay at the Quebec Inn in Quebec city. It offers direct access to the trails, dogsledding nearby, Ice Hotel to visit, Winter Carnival of Ice in Old Quebec City, Snow skiing at many areas (my favorite is Mt. Saint Anne), After a long day there is a gigantic indoor attrium with a Hot Tub and Pool. This attrium is all indoors and rooms have balconies looking inward. Parking is secure and gated for trucks trailers and sleds are watched by Surveilance. If you want more info just pm me back.

Do the loop from 318 and 33 at the park entrance around the corner and up into the park you can ride in as far as you want and back track out. The trails are groomed well. Our best ride was north on the new trail to repos. Can ride 33 north to auberge taureau . It is groomed excellent and would be about 50 miles to the repos for food and fuel from auberge taureau.

Total trail miles for 5 days riding = 819 miles 12/19/10 --- Rode circuit 1 on trail map (Lanaudiere circuits) total of 107 miles. The Arctic Cat big bore 900 got 12.5 mpg and my 800R Ski doo renegade 2009 got 14.7 mpg. Went north on 345 to 360 west and returned by 33 south to 318 east. Good shake out day to get back on the trails, all trails were groomed in this area, going south to La Glaciere had much traffic on Sunday and was rough. Snow cover on trails was good with just a rock or ice chatter here and there. 12/20/10 --- Rode north picking up trail 33 from 318 and was going to Manawan Village. Trail sign at this coordinate N4701.485 W73 52.865 was miss marked and drove in a 24 mile dead end and 24 more back out follow sign to right for Lac du Repos and not left on 33 north. Now with almost 90 miles since fuel we headed back the same way and got dinner at St Michel des Saints. Drove 130 miles and still had 8 liters in the tank on the 800R. Got 15.5 mpg and the cat got 13.4 mpg. This was all on packed and groomed trails. All trails north of St Michael were groomed and get an 8 of 10. Excellent cover and just a ski chatter on a rock here and there. Note when you see the signs for Auberge lac taureau turn a 180 degree turn to stay on 33 north and not get to the Hotel. They have Fuel, cash only and fuel was $1.20/ liter. 176 miles today, plan to revisit this trip later in the week and get to the village. 12/21/10 -- Left today by trail 318 west heading for St. Donat and Mt. tremblant Parc. Got to intersection of what I thought was south to St Donat and actually it was around the corner further at my waypoint of (63s st Donat)- N46 35.370 W7410.031 this is the entrance to Mt Tremblant Parc going south coming from the east to west. Unknowingly, we actually went north for 36 miles and back another 36 miles, best part was 25 foot wide groomed trails, not a waste just a blast!! Had to now get fuel and there is no fuel this year in the parc. Rode back to St Michel. Now went back to pick up trail 63 south thru the parc and at the gate and followed the signs for st Donat to the Cypress relay and then went East for St Zenon and La Glacier on trail 63. Trail back through the parc was groomed to the mountain part and good again after the long hill . As you got closer to La Glacier Auberge trails got rough from much traffic. The club here that runs out of La Cabanon is doing an outstanding job and grooming every night. The plain truth is when guys come here and shoot the snow off of ice based trails the snow ends up off the trail were the groomer can not reach. We left from La Glacier and return by trail 350 and 345 north. About 22 miles. Rode 214 miles today and trails were a 5 and some a ten plus. All trails in this area are covered well and it is staying under 0 C all the time. Trails are good and the Parc is a beautiful ride. Would be helpful to get a parc map from a local club or Mountee. 12/22/10 – Rode out trail 318 west thru St Machel to trail 33 north. Stopped at Auberge Taureau to top off fuel. 32 miles from Cabanon to that hotel. We went north on the new trail after 33 nord and it was groomed like a tabletop al the way to Lac Du Repos. Passed the groomer 10 miles from the Repo. It was 86 miles to there and returned by trail 345 south thru Mastigouche park after the dam. It is 25 miles from the dam to Le Cabanon. Trails were perfect today with only 15 miles of rough trail on 345 coming south. The new trail north from my coordinates above are a must try, the trail is better than 93 in Valin. It is 45 km from that spot to trail 345 to the Repo. Coming back from the Repo to Cabanon it was 83 miles. We had a great day with mild temps. in the mid 20 F and logged 169 miles with a lot of great pictures. 12/23/10—Rode south today on trail 345 from La Cabanon and picked up trail 350 east to go to Lac Blanc for lunch. Snow cover on trails was adequate and most all areas of small creeks were frozen. Trails were groomed smooth till within 12 miles of Lac Blanc, not enough snow to groom better. It was 47 miles to Lac Blanc. Rode back to La cabanon and wanted to return by trail 318 west and 318 west was closed at the Mastigoche parc to go west only. We backtracked and fueled up back at La Cabanon and went north to the Taureau Lake dam by trail 345 north for a high speed run on groomed trails up and back. What a blast to end a great trip. Rode 152 miles today. Total miles for the trip was 819 miles on great snow, no dirt of real bad trails. Great start to the season!!!!!!!! With Compliments to the hard work provided by Dennis with the local Club : Royaume de la motoneige Great work Grooming nightly!!

Thanks for the info, this is a big change over what it was. Prices still seam ok if the meals are as good as they were. brdgbldr85

Thanks for the info, I will watch the replies to these posts in the next few weeks. brdgbldr85

Groomer, For many years now I have trusted your good fellowship and noteable your honest reports. As you read more on this topic of the Farmers and the insurance please keep us posted. I ride mostly where Seguenay Bill rides up in the Mt. Valin area, but also in the Maurice area and Quebec City. Many Thanks !!!!

Any info about this place and its operations for the 2010-2011 seson would be appreciated. Reply to this post or pm me. Thanks

Thanks for the picture, can't wait.

THANKS FOR THE PICTURE< ITS SOON TIME FOR THE DEEP WHITE GOLD AGAIN!!!!

Had one last ride for the season. Stayed at Passion Quebec up at the Valinoute Ski area. Trail conditions going north from there were good and groomed. Tried to ride south 93 to 328 and got dirt and ice. Could not get onto 328 to go to Scoobyraid and trail 476 was closed going to Onachiway Relais. Only way from 93 to Onachiway is by trail 477 and last 4 km in was rough. All of Mt Valin out to Sacre Coure and Les Escominous was great and well groomed. This area will hold up for the next few weeks if temps stay, was 3 F on Tuesday 3-9-10 in the am at 7 am. Attached are a few pics along the way.

Iceman, Thanks for the report so far. From what I see on Intellicast weather it seems like the temps next week will be cold around 0 C and under. If you could post again after storm what the total new snowfall is. LET IT SNOW!! Thanks, Brdgbldr85

Bill, Congrats on the 20000. Great pic with you taking the picture in the reflection. Wayne and I will be in Shawinigan on March 6 for 4 days. I sure hope conditions hold up OK to end our season. Keep in touch, Dale

Thanks for the report, Plan to be in Shawinigan March 6 and ride those loops out and back. Been riding that area for 8 years and still can't believe the light snow year, but clubs are still doing well.

Steve, Thanks for the great report. Plan to head up to Motel Safari on March 6 for a few days

It snowed 6 inches overnight here at the Quebec Inn as of 7 am and still snowing in Quebec City. Traveling will be a bit fun for return home today, but pasted trails by truck on the way out to the Ice Hotel, new snow looks great. Check local trail conditions for this region and be careful of ice underneath. Ride safe, temps hear for next 7 days are to stay under freezing

Local Ski-Doo dealer in this area around Quebec told us today as we moved closer to home that the trails are closed in this region. ADMDQ website confirms that with this area in red. See : ADMDQ and do a search for your region. There is still riding in certain areas around Lac St Jean, be advised to watch your cooling. Get a fresh drink of snow as much as possible. Snirty around Jonquiere and 83 going east out of Chicotumi. Clubs are still grooming up there as conditions permit. Just left that area today after riding from last weekend. Has to get better, must SNOW SOON !!!!!! Cold temps are at least back, currently 24 F out in Quebec City.

Bill, The count down is on till I join you in paradise. I must love this sport, got awake in the middle of the night thinking over my list that I didn't forget anything. See you soon!!!

Alain, Thanks for the top notch quality report!!!!!!

Thanks for the date correction shooter, especially since the reservations are already in. Dale

Here are the Coordinates for the Ice Hotel: N46 52.048 W71 38.534 This is in the sled parking lot at the Hotel ! Have Fun, it is exactly 100 miles from motel Safari to the hotel one way. Stop at Rogers cabin on the way back for a great meal or go downtown Shawinigan to Pub 57

Bill Keep the reports coming, glad to see you back in Paradise. Jon and I will be riding this weekend in the western Pa allegheny forest areas with the families. We will see you next Friday night 1/29/10 at the HI about 4-6 pm with my 3 riders,look for the big trailer to come in for a landing. need 1 trail pass for 7days and plan to ride with you on Sat. Jan. 23, Can't wait!!!!

Groomer, Thanks for that website, great trail info and conditions.

Greg, I remember you well and thanks for the info. I will be riding in from the Quebec Inn just for the day to show my sister the Casino. For the first time my sister will be seeing Quebec and its trail system, she is joining me for a week of riding with Bill at the HI and then to Quebec for the Ice Hotel. She is coming in from Seattle, Washington State. Rode with me back east years ago when sleds only had 8 inches of suspension and you had to muscle ride your sleds thru turns. I can't wait to show her what Quebec has to offer. I will look for you there. Thanks Again, Dale

Been past the Hotel many times, it is very nice with a fine rest. in the front and pub 57 next door. Has gated parking in the rear for trucks and trailers and also a safe area for sleds outdoor. I still would lock up my sled by cables just to be safe. Easy in and out with sleds accross the bridge and over the lake to the M trails leading out of town. Have Fun