Signfan

Some great advice here. The 15 mm of rain forecast on Monday for Val d’Or is the concern. Looks like the majority of Quebec will get it (if the forecast is right) which had me wondering which areas can survive it and which can’t. Northern Ontario is supposed to get 2’ of snow with no rain. Was thinking of leaving Saint Anne du Lac and looping around Lac St Jean and returning. The 373 with all the bridges has been on the bucket list to ride for a while. But Abitibi or Northern Ontario might be better options if La Tuque and Roberval are out of snow. Just means more driving in the truck vs on the sled.

4 days since the last post here. Anyone been riding in the Sainte Michel des saints, La Tuque, Alma or Roberval areas? How are they fairing right now? Making plans for next weekend. I know another day or 8 and rain coming. But more snow as well.

Jeez that’s a screw up isn’t it. How was the trail on the Ontario side from hwy 11 to the border?

Wow!!! So jealous. Good for you guys. Things look awesome!!!

Yeah some of these outfitters are getting up there in price. I think we paid $210 a head at fer a cheval last winter. With taxes it was $500 for the wife and I for one night. Two ways to look at it. A It’s a lot of money for a room and two meals. Can definitely do it for less in many towns around the province. B You’re in the middle of nowhere. These places do have some costs a typical hotel in town doesn’t have. They often have to keep miles of access road plowed to get into their resort to keep it serviced. They have to house their staff (give them a place to live and feed them) as the location makes commuting in and out unfeasable. And they are probably feeding a diesel gen and / or paying for an off grid power plant (solar or generator) as many of them are off grid. At least that was how I sold myself on it. On holidays you splurge sometimes. The service at Fer a Cheval was top notch. Valet parking of your sleds in their heated garage and the food was exceptional. But other than that nothing too fancy. Staff were really great two and most importantly we had good trails. With Balbuzzard you are more remote still. And I think it’s probably another step up in quality of their facilities. Kinda a buyer beware. Balbuzzard must be trying to cater to off trail riders. 2 nights there would make sense for that.

They lost me at 2 night minimum. Not many day loops to ride in that neck of the woods. Does look to be a nice spot. Do they serve lunch?

Road is connected and all paved (Labrador side) now. Still some gravel on the Quebec side.

Good advice!!!

Maybe reach out to these guys. They did that trip in the opposite direction.

Definitely personal choice. I haven’t ridden them all, but have to vouch for the turbo 4 stroke ski doos. I’ve been happy with the 137” skid frames with a 1.5” pre-studded track. XRS to get good shocks. If money wasn’t a barrier would probably also look at an expedition, or the lynx line up (x-terrain or commander). I’m finding suspension setup is arguably as important as the sled itself. Shops like accelerated technologies can make your sled ride and handle way better. Accelerated TechnologiesHome - Accelerated TechnologiesServices Lowering SAG & Set Up Track Preparation Fork Service & Tuning General Service Shock Service & Tuning Parts Accelerated Technologies Welcome to Accelerated Technologies. As Motorsports Suspe

Unfortunately it’s a successful strategy that gets results. Years ago the Ontario government was abolishing a managed forest program that granted large property owners property tax concessions if they managed their forests responsibly (no clear cutting, managed annual harvests, forest plans drawn up by qualified ppl, etc.). Haliburton forest a large property owner (to the tune of 40,000 hectares) that also offers private snowmobile trails was negatively impacted. Their response. They started a clear cutting program along the backside of a bunch of cottage owners properties at the edge of their property. Said they needed the timber to pay the increased taxes. Wasn’t long before the local MPP had the managed forest program re-instated. Farmers have played this game several times as well. Hopefully this situation blows over quickly.

Dining room looks like a big improvement for club Gatineau.

Different end of the province, but they are reporting that things survived. Saint Donat club has closed a bunch of trails citing washouts.

That sucks.

Seeing some green on the map. Hopefully more is coming.