actionjack

Myself and two friends completed a Clockwise Gaspe loop this past week. The three of us first did this trip in 1997. Hard to believe it's been 26 years. 300 mile days were the norm then, 200 is appropriate now. We unloaded in Monticello, Maine Tuesday the 7th, and rode to Fort Kent. Wednesday morning we crossed the border into New Brunswick and headed West until we grabbed the Quebec 561. This trail hadn't been done in a while, but was good going. We hit the 35 and made our way to Mont Joli, and stayed at the Quality Inn. Good trails and weather  all day. The next day we continued East  and stayed in Mont St Pierre at Le Delice. Good trails all day.  This place seems to have declined a bit  over the years. I never stayed at the other hotel, but I have understood that the Delice is nicer. Friday we continued East in light snow, trails were great , but the weather blocked some of the most beautiful scenery of  the peninsula .As we got out to the end of the peninsula, the snow became heavier, and visibility was poor. The snow became deeper in the trail. We headed into Riviere Au Renaud for fuel. The trail  through the long field is not staked and was invisible. Fortunately I had been there before, and my GPS showed us the trail. The trail into the gas station was completely drifted in. We decided not to risk that, and took the stump trail to the Caribou Inn. We were able to get a room, so we stopped there for a short day. We took the road up to the gas station for fuel and essencianial beverages. The food at the Caribou is very good, rooms are just ok. The next morning it was still snowing. It appeared that a total of pretty near a foot had fallen.  We hoped that the crew  of big sleds would break trail back out to  trail 5 for us, but they weren't moving. We decided to try it around 0900. We got out of there without issue, and trail 5 had been broken. We quickly rode out of the snow into Sunshine, and the trails were great. When we reached Chandler, my 2021 Viper threw a "C1600" alarm. We pulled into the Motel Chandler. It looked deserted. Beatrice came to the door, and I asked if I could use the wifi. A quick google search revealed the code had to do with an open circuit for the thumb warmer. Everything else worked , and all fuses were good. I was satisfied I could just run it. In the meantime, Beatrice called the dealer, who was closed on that Saturday afternoon. She was making other calls for us. By this time it was after three O'Clock. We had already determined that there were no rooms at two hotels we called in New Richmond. We decided to stay there. While we were enjoying a "Pepsi" in the room, Beatrice came to the room with information from one of her call backs regarding the thumb warmer, and to run it. The restaurant at the hotel was closed. Beatrice drove us to and from the Dixie Lee for supper. Very nice lady that went out of her way to help. We tipped her well. One other note about that Saturday. We rode into the Skidoo dealer in Gaspe around 10:30 to find it closed. No store hours were listed on the door, and three vehicles pulled into the parking lot apparently expecting it to be open. This suggests  that this is not the norm, but it wasn't very convenient either. We were able to get some Skidoo oil at the fuel stop in Grand Riviere. Sunday was breakfast on the trail at a club house, and spectacular trails all the way to Pointe-A-la-Croix. There is a poorly marked intersection just East of the city that can easily put you on the orange trail bypassing the city. We had a nice room and meal at the Interprovincial, and fell asleep with the Stupid Bowl tied at 35. Mundles towing took across the bridge after breakfast. New Brunswick 17 was  perfect for an hour or so. 37 Klick East of Kedgewick , the trails turned to junk for a couple hours. Disappointing after a nice week in Quebec. Probably just bad luck, but New Brunswick never seems to fail to disappoint. We crossed the border at Van Buran Maine, and zipped down to the Hampton Inn Presque Isle on good trails.  An Hour flat to the truck Tuesday morning . Stopped at the Yamaha dealer in Topsam, a Tech came out and separated the plug in the center of the handle bars, and determined no power going to the thumb warmer from the switch. This makes the switch suspect, with all fuses good. If anybody has ideas on that, I would appreciate it. Overall great trip. I don't get tired of that region. Some photos at the link below.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZV7t71fobf8xD1r89
 
 
 
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Being a Saturday morning in northeast VT we had no intentions of staying stateside and dealing with the massacre of sleds we knew would be present,  we loaded up and headed for the border and customs crossing in Beecher Falls. A very late 11am start and 15 miles later we proceeded through customs with no issues. The 523 had been groomed a few days prior, but 3" of fresh snow and zero tracks awaited us. Snow level not high,  but no riders keeps these trails in perfect condition.  Good  cruising over the hill to Christmas tree farm in Hereford, we then take a right onto orange trail headed northeast towards border cut trail. Absolutely incredible this section,  super fast and smooth. Have to slow down on up and down and twisty section of border cut, but still good going. Groomer has a hard time smoothing this 5 mile or so section.  After passing  relais south of Bellefeuille, we are first tracking on fresh groomed up to the 525, then an easy run into little hamlet of LaPatrie. Nice lunch at Resto-Bar LaPatrie, gas up across street and point sleds in reverse direction for run back to camp. For ride back we stay on 525 west until we meet back up with the 523 just north of Sawyerville. This part is a great blend of farmland and wood roads that is super smooth and fast, and almost no traffic with the exception of lots of deer. Gotta keep an eye out for them in this area. The 523 south back to Hereford is a smooth ride as well, and we end up back through customs and back at camp in Averill with 150 really great miles. This area never ceases to amaze me with great trails and very rare meetings of other riders.  Not many pics, but a really nice short day's run.

Last sunday we did a ride at St-Côme ice sculptures festival. I would have prefered a sunny day for pics but we got a gray and snowy day with comfortable winter temperature.
We did the ride from home which  finally looks like that

We had just got few very deep cold days and the trail base was hard as a rock very nice

snow had continue to accumulate

There is a small trail section shared with ATVs and they don't groom their trail, they plow!

The Sculpture festival was just started and most ice art works were not completed, more work in progress but the festival continue for the 2 next weekend so those who will have the chance to go will see even an better exposition than us. Again the gray day gave deceiving pics but it give an idea of what it looks like


In the middle of the village there is a large life-size fresco in construction under the western theme


this boat is quite impressive

This festival is always a great snowmobile destination in Lanaudière, trail #343 crosses right in the middle of the village so you can't miss them. you still have until February 19 if you pass in this area.
We looped back home by getting on the #63 trail and went south.


The trail over Riviere Noire in St-Jean de Matha wasn't safe yet and we had to pass on the road bridge. I was scared a bit by looking at those slushy sled's tracks but I heard from non officials sources that they had staked the river this week.

 We finally got back home at the end of afternoon with another 232kms of good sledding in my neck of the wood!
After few days in arctic cold the temperature seems to stay warmer than usual but it is not the snow that is missing! still snowing actually, may have a bit of rain tonight but not an issue for sure. It's  the best time of the season to enjoy!
Alain

Most definitely! I could be wrong, but I get the impression that Chantal and Alain are just now becoming familiar with snowmobile tourism.  AMVN director Lanthier has also been working closely with them installing signage and whatnot, and I'm trying to help them out with English language media.  It's unfortunate that the only access is down a long village street (and there have already been some resident complaints about some late-night yahoo sledders - probably completely justified unfortunately), but it is what is.  Those carbides were really too sharp anyway!
COVID caused a huge upswing in snowmobile tourism in our area, and I'm hoping things can come together for what used to be Riopel's and that they can capitalize on it.  Sadly, the hotel in Val-des-Bois, which seemed to be rocking all last winter, has not survived.  Neither did the remaining sit-down restaurant (although apparently there's limited seating in the fried chicken take-out spot).  Staff shortages seem to be a major issue but I'm sure that there are other factors at play.  Oh well ... at least we got Schryer back, and our own clubhouse is rockin' weekends too!

I've got some great news for riders in the Lac La Blanche - Montpelier area.  The venerable Hotel Lac Schryer has been slowly transformed and re-opened under the new name Auberge Chantalain.  Back in my yout', when we dragged trails with Alpines and old bedsprings, this establishment was ably managed by https://www.fcfq.coop/avis-de-deces/lorenzo-lemay-154384/ whose bevy of lovely daughters served snacks and quarts into the wee hours.  It included a dance floor, stage, pool table .. and even a hydraulic bucking bull!  It was the "second home" of the Hill & Gully Riders, and, being a daylong trip, was an overnight destination (it now takes under an hour!).  Eventually, like most of these rural hotels, it fell on hard times and closed in the mid-eighties.  Most of us expected to see it burn down or be demolished.
Astonishingly, the building remained in pretty good shape and, just before COVID hit, Chantal and Alain purchased it and began a slow but steady renovation project.  They had a "soft opening" last fall, but are now open seven days a week, with food (pizzas, pub grub) from Thursdays to Sundays.  The response has been so good, I expect that they'll expand that service ... if they can find the help.
I have been working with the iMotoneige folks to get the Auberge on the map, and we hope it doesn't suffer the fate of so many area establishments.  The Boréal (formerly Riopel's) in Montpelier is yet to re-open, and most places in Val-des-Bois have closed.  Hope springs eternal for the Boréal however, and they're offering big discounts to sledders and ATV'er's on their newly renovated rooms.  Fingers and toes are crossed.  
 

Thank you to the couple that picked up my belongings I lost on the trail leaving Mont Laurier yesterday and gave them to the people at Mekoos that tracked me down,I appreciate your honesty,thank you Tom C.

Done that stretch, 2 days at -40F.  Expect sleds that won't start. A few extra stops to warm up. And anyone coming with less than a high windshield, tell them to stay home.
Guantlets a must.  One of those mornings at Chibig there were a lot of sleds that would not start. A lot.

"which is working on a project aimed at better regulating off-trail snowmobiling in Québec"
Going back to the beginning of this thread there does seem to be an "off-trail" or hors-piste focus to this. 
Seems the FCMQ is not even really up to speed on this from the article.
"Ça manque de coordination pour bien comprendre ce qui s'en vient cet hiver, a affirmé le directeur général de la Fédération des Clubs de motoneigistes du Québec, Stéphane Desroches. On ne nous a pas consulté directement.'
translated
"It lacks coordination to fully understand what is coming this winter, said the director general of the Federation of Snowmobile Clubs of Quebec, Stéphane Desroches. We were not consulted directly.”
 
Was the OP singled out because their equipment more resembles off-trail riders than saddlebaggers?  Did the "Patrollers" assume they had been "Off-trailing" and that was could have somewhat been lost in translation?  I could see where the Zec would want to, and institute a process to, charge people who are riding FCMQ trails to go explore off-trail in their park.
What do the Zec ticket vehicle and patrollers look like? 

There is one solution….    No QPP or FCMQ Agent = Don’t Stop
 

First off I'd like to thank the clubs and establishments in Quebec for a great time! Snowmobiling up there never disappoints.
Jan 19th - Mont Laurier up to Kanawata with stops for fuel at Mekoos and Lac du Repos. Trails were perfect!
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Jan 20th - We left Kanawata on one of our favorite trails. You can cruise comfortably at 60 miles an hour for about 15 miles. It was an 80+ mile hike over to Parent for our first fuel stop. From there we threw an audible on our route to stop by an outfitter for lunch we've heard great things about. 100 Lacs did not disappoint. It will certainly be a place we'll stay at in the future. From there it was another 60ish miles to Mekoos for a total of 216 miles on the day. We had a fun night at Mekoos! They had a live band and a great atmosphere. At one point in the night people were climbing out of the hot tub and jumping on their snowmobiles
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Jan 21st - Saturday was our low mileage day so we could get back to the truck and get started on our 6.5hr drive home. We made sure to stop and smell the roses at some really neat places. The first stop was Windigo Falls. Our second stop was Mont Diable. At 2400' elevation on a clear sunny day the views were pretty amazing. We ended the day with around 85 miles and very sore muscles from riding hard for three days.
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JUST FINISHED TRIP,  MONDAY ROQUMONT TO DELTA VIA LETAPE ALLGOOD  TUESDAY DELTA MTVALIN TACOUSAC BACK TO DELTA ALLGOOD .WEDNESDAY DELTA UP TO TOP OF LAKE TO LADORE FOR LUNCH THEN TO ROBERVAL ALL GOOD BUT AROUND TOWN OF ROBERVAL IN NEED OF SNOW.THURSDAY BACK TO ST RAYMOND VIA LAKE EDUOARD TO PIERRE ALL GOOD , ALL TRAILS IN GOOD SHAPE

HaHa, if that's a rental group in there it will take them an hour to get out! Especially all facing different directions! LOL! Beep, Beep <Beep!

I hope they judge who are the early and late risers. 

I hope they judge who are the early and late risers. 

I hope they judge who are the early and late risers. 

I hope they judge who are the early and late risers. 

I hope they judge who are the early and late risers. 

Under a cloudy sky with a little snow/-2C we made this ride yesterday January 6, 2023 in St-Zenon area through the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve starting from St-Gabriel de Brandon

As a drop point we chose the parking lot of the Multifunctional Center 111 Chemin du mont Lanaudière (it's the road just past the Highschool) which is an official parking lot for trailers and the trail pass just aside. We arrived a little late and parked on the roadside in front of it. 

Despite the last thaw there is still a lot of snow, the conditions are good here in the field in St-Damien.

Even the big hill in climbing on the mountain was nice with barely a couple browning snow spots , otherwise very good. Given the traffic there were a few bumps but it ride very well.

We passed the Renard Bleu outfitter

The road is plowed farther this year but has been widened and our trail is next to it. We just have to cross it a couple of times as the trail change of side otherwise it's fine.


the snow cover is very good


From the #23 we then took trail #350 east.

After this thaw I was expecting to ride on very hard trails but no there is a good layer of loose snow on top , thick enough that the skis were not even bite the trail hard base most of the time. Very good conditions


Passed the junction for the #23 towards the Cabanon we continued on the #350 towards Koubec with even better trail conditions

 

We stopped for lunch at the Relais Koubec (Outfitter Mastigouche)


It's been a while since we stopped eating there. It was very good and quick and their huge double-sided fireplace in the center of the dining room always impresses me!

After the lunch break we continued in the Mastigouche reserve. I did a round trip stretch on #23 eastbound. We passed the junction for the trail to Gaston (#350 towards Lac Blanc)

Before turning around and continuing on #23 westbound


The section of #23 which comes to reconnect on the #345 (towards the Taureau dam) is less used and as usual it did not disappoint us with its good condition and beautiful fast sections.



There had been more traffic on the #345 towards the Cabanon. The snow cover remains good even if there are a few spots of more brownish snow in the few km that leave the forest road and which had been reworked with a bulldozer just before the season.


We stopped to fuel up at Auberge Le Cabanon


And we went back down to our starting point via #23 trail

Real Masse outfitter, which had major problems with their plumbing and water distribution system during an extended power outage (christmas storm) is not open and the trail goes straight, trail not groomed yet

the #23 south of #350 was weared from traffic and was bumpy on the way back south, especially in the section maintained by St-Charles club

The last section groomed by St-Gabriel club was better but the traffic had still done its job. With the announced cold and grooming, it will come back good because the snow cover is good.

To summarize,  the storm of December 23 had left impressive amounts of snow, the following thaw packed it down to give us a solid base for the trails and the last snow put some cream on the cake which gives very good conditions. There are still a couples of not frozen small ditches and you can still see the remains of fallen /damaged trees but the ride we did was very nice overall. 
Trail opening and grooming is still underway, I know that from St-Zenon or Mattawin it is possible to go to Pourvoirie Repos. Kanawata wrote their trails was open (4January) and Alliance du nord club that groom norther on the #83 state that they finished opening trails and are at grooming them. Many places in Parent/clova were starting their operations this weekend. Latuque snowmobile club also state their trails opened.
With the cold announced I expect that the open trail network will continue to expand and connect rapidly in the coming days
Happy 2023 season!
Alain

Auberge du Ravage
Lac Moreau
i would bet.
Clermont is near La Malbie and Casino
Charlevoix

Posted today
Bonjour à tous, le surfaceur est de retour dans les sentiers du 100 lacs. Tout nos connexion sont fait!
Du mekoos
Du Scott 
De la Manawan 
Et du Fer à Cheval vers Parent merci bienvenue a tous
 
hello to all, the groomer is back on the trails of the 100 lakes. All our connections are done!
Mekoos
Scott
Manawan
And from Fer à Cheval to Parent
thank you welcome to all

At least you are riding.  C'est la motoneige.  Think I woulda gone back but understand the wife thing.  Had mine quit on me in St Anne De Beaupre looking over a steep downhill turn.  Got the 2up seat for the Winder for that reason.  She doesn't like that much either but will endure a quick trip for a hot chocolate.  Good idea not to try 6 miles on 131. 

At least you are riding.  C'est la motoneige.  Think I woulda gone back but understand the wife thing.  Had mine quit on me in St Anne De Beaupre looking over a steep downhill turn.  Got the 2up seat for the Winder for that reason.  She doesn't like that much either but will endure a quick trip for a hot chocolate.  Good idea not to try 6 miles on 131. 

That is a very good way to tow.  Saw a video of that once.  Can never find it now. Towed sled goes where you go.

At least you are riding.  C'est la motoneige.  Think I woulda gone back but understand the wife thing.  Had mine quit on me in St Anne De Beaupre looking over a steep downhill turn.  Got the 2up seat for the Winder for that reason.  She doesn't like that much either but will endure a quick trip for a hot chocolate.  Good idea not to try 6 miles on 131. 

Yep. Even when there is only 7 sleds at the pump one guy always seems to magically lose track of who was already waiting.