GSX800

Food is very good.  I never heard of a sled getting stolen from their corral.  They close/lock it at night, I don’t recall the time, 10 or 11.  They open it at 7.  I wouldn’t leave your sleds in the trailer out in the truck trailer compound.  Although they watch it, it would not be hard for someone to walk in, unload it and ride it out.  Load up the morning that you leave, not the night before.

^^^ Real Masse, excellent food!  Steak👍

Food is very good.  I never heard of a sled getting stolen from their corral.  They close/lock it at night, I don’t recall the time, 10 or 11.  They open it at 7.  I wouldn’t leave your sleds in the trailer out in the truck trailer compound.  Although they watch it, it would not be hard for someone to walk in, unload it and ride it out.  Load up the morning that you leave, not the night before.

Wishing you many KM of happy trails.
 

 

You will have no problem keeping yourself entertained in that area.  You can spend a day each going East, North, and West...probably South by the time you leave.  Grab a map and pick your route for the day.  LeCabanon will have plenty of maps at the front desk. Pretty easy to do loops to whatever you want for miles.  Make sure to include some of the orange local trails too. 

So Sandi, with the fresh snow and some wind this afternoon, where to?  Maybe stay out of big fields as much as possible.  This morning might not be too windy.  Lets go to Mt Apica.  We haven't been there yet.  Six inches of snow and here we go.
On the sleds and 83 east it is.  A few sleds have been out ahead of us so Sandi has something to follow.  Ah, nice fresh snow.  A little track spin here and there.  We turn right on to 368.  This was groomed yesterday so it is smooth underneath.  Quite a bit of snow dust behind Sandi.  The past couple of days there hasn't been any snow dust.  Maybe dust dust and rocks would have been more like it.  We are out of the fields now and into the woods.  Nice riding here.  We pass the 383 junction and start climbing.  We get to auto route 175 and not much traffic.  The road is in good shape.  We cross and continue on.  Some logging going on in here.  Not disturbing the trail much.  We get onto the section of 368 that is on the old road and it is beautiful.  The trees hanging over and covered with snow.  So pretty.  We have only seen a couple of sleds so far.  Nobody else out I guess.
We get to the junction with 23.  Sandi looks around and notices something is missing.  What's missing Sandi?  The warming hut is still there.  Looks like it has new metal siding.  Sandi looks at me and says "No porta potty!"  Oops.  I guess guys don't notice that but the ladies would.  So attention all ladies, the porta potty is gone.  You must plan accordingly.
Alright, Sandi turns left and heads to Apica.  It will be a good lunch stop.  23 isn't quite as nice as 368 which was flawless.  23 is good but a little chop in the corners.  More traffic on 23 of course.  A quick ride and we arrive at Mt Apica.  Only five sleds outside and the guys are with the sleds chatting in French.  We park and Sandi looks in.  It is dark in there.  She goes up to the door and it is locked!  What does that paper sign on the door say Sandi?
Dec 31, Jan 1 and Jan 2 CLOSED.  Open Jan 3.
Very important folks.  I know a lot of riders depend on this stop for fuel to get to the Lac.  No one is here.  No food.  No fuel.  So for everyone that can't make Hebertville, make sure you tank up at L'Etape.
U-turn it is and back up 23.  I've got a gas caddy with me but we will have plenty of gas in the sleds.  After we pass the 368 cut off, 23 gets better.  A lot of traffic from the previous days takes 368 so this section of 23 stays in better shape.  We get to Presbytere and drop down on the lake.  At the end of the lake is the steep climb up to the road.  There isn't a snow bridge yet and it is a bad spot because you pop up in the road.  Have to be very careful of auto traffic.
I look around and see a sled track about a few hundred feet before where we are and it is going to the edge of the lake.  Lets go over there and check it out.  A much gentler climb up the bank, a slight turn to the right and we are on the side of the road.  Nice.  We run the edge of the road back to the trail and off we go.  We pull into the Petro station and top off.  We still had plenty of fuel even though my low fuel light had come on. 
Lets continue on 23 north and then circle back on 383.  Well we notice that the snow is thinner here.  We aren't that far from Chicoutimi as the crow flies but there is only two inches of fresh here and this part of 23 hasn't seen a groomer this year.  Going from a really nice 23 to a single sled wide path stinks.  I know 383 is only about 5 miles up so keep going.  A few stakes in some of the fields but some fields have none.  Just following tracks.  The fields are wind blown and bumpy.  You see the harrow marks from the farmers still.  It will be over soon.
Finally we get to 383.  This has a little more snow and maybe has seen a groomer awhile ago.  Keep on trucking.  We get to the Relais Grenouille (bad spelling) and this is busy.  From here on it is 83.  This was groomed but it is still rough.  We were on it yesterday and a groomer did make a pass but it just gets so much traffic and there isn't a lot of snow to work with.  Passable but we got spoiled with how nice 368 and 23 were before Hebertville.  You got to take the good with the bad.  We push our way thru and wave to the Delta as we go by.  We will be there in February.  Only another 10 miles Sandi.  Chin up.  We top off the sleds at the Ultramar just before the Sag.  One more mile on the spur and we are in for the night.
It was a very good ride until Hebertville and then it went downhill from there.  We didn't see too many sleds today but there must have been a lot of traffic on 83 to beat it down like that.  I don't expect and groomers to be out tonight and probably not until tomorrow night.  We will have to plan accordingly for tomorrow.
Happy New Year to everyone.  Ride safe and look forward to another great season.  Thanks for being with us.
Jack & Sandi

1 January
-3c  Still Snowing
solid 12” 
Happy New Year

LaBannik is very nice. Many of the cabins have a private outdoor hot tub.  Lac Faillon is also very good.  

Agree.  I use the Garmin Montana that I bought used from a guy on this forum with Trak Maps.  Trak Maps works great.  You do not need to be a computer Wiz to download the maps to your PC/Mac and install them into your GPS.  The subscription to the map/s of your choice often have a sale going that will save you about $20.  You can also download any map updates for a year.  Just check the change log to see if there are any from time to time.  If you think about it, and buy a map about this timeframe,  you can download a new update a year later and you’d get two years out of it.  

Usually when there is a project that concerns the public, at the beginning there is a public comment period where people can make their case and be heard, after that period government officials make a decision on how or if the project moves forward. After this phase of public comment ends, that is the end of public input.You make your case BEFORE THE PROJECT STARTS. This case is ridiculous, where some one who is literally living less than 20 yards from this enormous project where heavy equipment is operating for 9 months, comes forward when the project is complete and says, oh, I did not know this was happening, you need to stop this now....I hate lawyers who represent people in this fashion...this is frivolous and way out of line...and these people should be prosecuted for this, and if this trail does not open a judge should make them pay back the 3 million dollars that was spent on this project. I hate to think about the case precedence this case will make moving forward.

CT Rider,   I spend lots and lots of time riding out of Riviere du Loup, doing day trips.
We all belong to the Teamsters union of riders,  meaning long coffee break in the morning,  nice lunch break, and in by 4PM,  average 200 mile days. We are mostly in '60's and '70's, ride at a good clip.
mike
 

CT rider  let me know where you plan to ride, i have lots of time, we can hookup. I am older and ride a little slower than the kids , but can hold my own.

Chris is a top notch guy.  I’ve  had several conversations with him over the past few months.  I would send him an email with questions I had, not expecting a reply until that evening or the next day, and no sooner did I hit send, my phone would ring with Chris on the other end.  Very knowledgeable and a lot of fun to talk to about sleds.  My wife got to the point of asking if Chris was a male or female, lol.  If you are looking for tune information and help, or needing tools to work on a Ski Doo,  Chris is your guy!  Probably kudos are due to his wife as well.  I believe her name is Tammy(?), she makes sure that your orders are fulfilled.  

There is good news concerning the trail closure in La Macaza that created a dead end on 63. A deal has been made with another land owner to bypass the closure. 

I think I waited behind all of them at Repo for gas one day?

Back in 2010 we woke up to pouring rain in 100 Lacs.  Our next stop was Roberval.  During breakfast the consensus was to stay put for the day.  We asked, and were told that there was a group coming in that afternoon but they may not come due to the rain.  We could stay if they didn’t come.  Well back to our nice, dry, warm, comfortable cabin we went prepared to spend the day.  About two hours later we get a knock at the door...you have to leave, the group is on their way.  Plan B was already decided, off to Hotel Central.  As we were coming into Parent, I saw a sign for Hombre du Vent and I remembered from about 3 years earlier a guy telling me about his buddy owning them.  I tell the gang,  let’s go take a look.  We pull into their office/shop, and we are soaked.  The owner and his wife get us two cabins and tells us to pull our sleds into the shop while he strings up a couple clothes lines to hang our gear to dry out.  This is great, but we have to get to the cabins and into town to eat.  He says, no problem and gives us the keys to a minivan.  Next day we go back to his shop where he had to have the temperature in the place at least 80 degrees.  Sleds and suits all dried out.  Great people, great hospitality! I heartily agree with this recommendation.  
The other recommendation that was good is to not go into Parent but to take 13 when you get to the junction and go to Fer a Cheval.  Another good place.  Another thought is 100 Lacs by jumping on 33 a couple miles before Fer a Cheval.
As far as Chibougamau,  Nordic is where we stay these days.  You can’t get dinner there (continental breakfast in the morning)so we make that a get beer at the store and pizza delivered to the room night.  There is a place about 7-8 miles south of Chibougamau, right on 93 that looks interesting.  CENTRE DE VILLÉGIATURE MARINE CHIBOUGAMAU.  We stayed there a couple of times under the former owner, JC Bou.  It’s under new ownership now and it looks like they added a new lodge.  Perhaps someone on here has stayed and can comment.  Next time we’re up that way, we’ll probably give it a try.
Hope this helps some along with all the other replies.  One thing for certain, your group will enjoy.

This is a funny story about staying in  Parent.  Last January a young lad and I decided to ride to gouin Reservoir from Mont laurie.  Well first the sled would not start from the cold weather.  New battery fixed that. Very cold that day. As the day went by it got colder and riding was slower.  Well we got Parent as the darkness was taking over. Before we even got gas I made the decision this is as far as we had better go. Went in to pay for our gas and I asked the lady how cold it was and how to get to the hotel.  Her response was great. She said the report in the last hour was wind chill was 55 below.  Then she looked at me and said and there is         no f ing wind. Then she handed me a set of keys for a little motel room about 2 blocks away.  The next morning she charged us , I think less than it cost to heat the room. If I ever stay in Parent I will be staying at her little motel.  

Just picked up my sled today.  Ingles Performance was all over it.  Trip B was installed and waiting.  Great dealer, especially when it comes to customer support.

Did some Recon in Quebec City and saw no snow.
But a little farther north!!!


 
GutZ

The laughter at the end tells the whole story.  Good fun, good times, good friends.  Isn’t that the reason we love this sport so much?  

The laughter at the end tells the whole story.  Good fun, good times, good friends.  Isn’t that the reason we love this sport so much?  

Plan to ride, just don't plan where to ride.  Good snow will be somewhere...you have to be prepared to wait till a week before to pick the best destination.

In most years I think you will be fine.  This past season, we rode the first week in April out of LeCabanon.  As you get late in the season, services on the trail start to shutdown.  The week you are proposing you’d probably be fine with snow and grooming.  Some of the remote services may be starting to close down.  

Another option could be to head north a bit to Martins for a rustic adventure stay

Martin is a cool , off the beaten path kinda place. Rustic yes, but food and hospitality are great !  Cabins only,no lodge. We have a group of 8 staying there in January. First time we headed there the groomer was down and it was a bitch getting there and we took a road back to Clova the next morning. I believe it's just under 30 miles from Clova