The Groomer Guy has "A Cold, Thankless Chore"
January 18, 2008 -Syracuse NY - - Trail grooming: A tough job that just doesn't quit. Grooming snowmobile trails is one of those thankless winter jobs that somebody has to do. That somebody is a dedicated and sometimes frustrated group of volunteers in snowmobiling clubs across the state, who use various types and levels of equipment to flatten and pack down the trails. They're frustrated by the whims of Mother Nature with her unpredictable snowfalls, and rising and falling temperatures. Many endure the trials and tribulations of using second-hand equipment. And they often deal with fellow snowmobilers who don't understand or appreciate what it takes to keep the trails open, smooth and safe. Read more

This Weekend is a GO for Quebec Trails!
2:pm Jan 17 Instant Snowmobile Trail Report
Esterel Trails rating 8 - 10, low traffic, snowing
The Chute some icy patch, 8 -10, new snow tonight
Rabaska Baskatong - Lots of snow- Grooming A1
Auberge Beaulieu Mekinac Excellent- lots of locals- all open
Motel Safari Shawinigan Unbelievable Excellent
Location Hate Matawinie minus 20 nights- trails Excellent
Escapade Shawinigan- Ideal trails - All open- signage A1
Comfort Inn Mt Laurier - Amazing conditions- cold temps

Winter X Games 2008: Snowmobiling/SnoCross

Styled after motocross, SnoCross features many of the same elements of its dirt-track based cousin. Riders race at speeds up to 60 miles per hour around a track made up of tight turns, banked corners, steep jumps and obstacles, all while riding a high-performance machine that weighs 750 pounds. Jumps are up to 30 feet tall, sending riders up to 130 feet before they touch the ground. Snowmobile traffic and changing temperatures makes the snow slushy which means the course changes every lap and the action never stops! Read this story here.

Missing Snowmobiler Located Safely

Jan 16 2008 (CRESCENT, Ore.) - The rider was dehydrated and cold but refused transport to the hospital. 65-year old Robert Plumb, was located safely today by a search and rescue helicopter. A man who took a snowmobile out for a ride last night near Crescent, Oregon and never returned, 65-year old Robert Plumb, was located safely today by a search and rescue helicopter. Plumb was located at 12:37 P.M. by an aircraft out of Jackson County, approximately 20 miles East of Crescent.
Get this story here...

Jan 16 2008 New Zen Talk Episode: Trail Reports
Listen to Zen interview the lovely Wanda at the Esterel as she delivers an updated snow report, then hear Cal from Newfoundland talk about winter tourism on the Rock, and finally, listen to the Sled Freak, as he sinks his sled into six feet of icy cold lake water on te weekend! Niel Young adds to the sound of course as usual. Click Here

Don't Miss This! - Red Bull Crashed Ice - Quebec City - Jan 26
Red Bull Crashed Ice is a combination of downhill skiing, hockey, Boardercross and Roller-Derby happening on a one-of-a-kind 535-metre (with 56m vertical) urban ice track that winds and dives its way through the city’s stunning landscape. Red Bull Crashed Ice is free to spectators. On Saturday, January 26 at 8 PM
More info here

BRP turns to high-tech to leave rivals in the cold
Global warming, high oil prices and an ageing population: Pity the poor snowmobile manufacturer.At one time the "motorized toboggan," as the first patent described it, was produced by more than 100 manufacturers. Today, there are only four makers of the powersport machine, and declining sales in North America are barely covered by a hungry market of wealthy buyers in Russia. The mantra is innovate or implode. BRP, the Quebec-based company that owns 33% of the snowmobile market share, is taking the challenge to a new level. Read this story now.

Zenwaiter is ill, needs help with your photos and Stories
Jan 15th 2008: Mossbank Sask. Friday night, I arrived home after almost eight weeks on the road, where I worked hard to bring you daily interesting stories, photos, video clips, radio, blog TV, and more, live from the snowmobile trails of Quebec. Now I need all my Zen Reporters to start sending in their photos and stories again, cause I won't be going outside for a few weeks. I have pneumonia again like last year, only worse. Please send us your latest photos, by posting them in our Photo Albums. You will be a Zen Star! (no free hats this year, but I will make a few draws for a free Double Xtreeme Calendars!) Send all info to Zen@zenwaiter.com .Thanks for the help. zw

Sat Jan 12 2008: Devil's Mountain Quebec: Dom and Martin tied the knot up on top of the Devil's Mountain Saturday, near Mont Laurier. In attendance, over 140 AVTers and 25 snowmobilers enjoyed the touching ceremony, in near perfect weather for the occasion. The couple, who worked together for years in the hospitality industry, operate the Rabaska Outfitter near Mont Laurier. Congratulations to you both from Zen and all our readership! (photo credit: Bob Petit) Get more on this story here.

Click Here for Motels - Call them for free trail conditions.


Newfie trails tracked, grooming may begin Soon

Jan 8 2007: CORNER BROOK, Newfoundland — Abiding by the adage that you have to build a road before you can pave it, the Western Sno-Riders are preparing trails in the area. What a difference a week’s snow makes in terms of trail readiness for snowmobiling. Just over a week ago, the conditions were described as rough at best. Last week, the groomer was trudging through banks of snow that half buried the machine as the trails were being “tracked” in the region. The Western Sno-Riders Snowmobile Club’s groomer makes its way up Loggers School Road on Saturday.
Get the whole Newfoundland snowmobile story here...

Record temperatures in Ontario and Quebec
Jan 8 2008; OTTAWA -- Record high temperatures across Ontario and southern Quebec Monday will bring along with it heavy rains and flooding concerns, according to Environment Canada. Much of Ontario will smash previous single-day temperature highs set for Jan. 7. By late morning, temperatures in Ontario cities such as Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, London and Welland all broke records. More weather here.


Ontario Riders Enjoy Quebec Trails in Early Season
Jan 8 2007- - St-Michel-Des-Saints. About a week ago, I ran into these three Ontario snowmobilers in the lobby of the Esterel. Then I ran into them again on the street in St-Michel yesterday. They asked me if I was following them. We had dinner together at the Sawmill Restaurant. The rode from the Esterel, to Meekos, to Repos (I think) then to St-Michel. (Don't quote me on this). I know they like to get the mileage under their belts - 200 plus a day.

Kevin and his friends are from the Toronto area, and have been riding together for years, over five thousand kms a year. They have a large pool of riders to choose from, but these are the three core guys that never miss. They have snowmobiled everywhere in Quebec, Ontario, Michigan, New Brunswick, you name it. There aren't many areas they haven't covered. They have invited me to ride in Muskoka, in the area where I spent all my summers as a boy. For years I have wanted to explore the trails of Gravenhurst and beyond, and now I think I have the opportunity.

When I asked them why they were riding in Quebec, Kevin said, " We always have a couple of trips to Quebec in the early season, when it's not cold enough in Ontario."
As the readers are now well aware, the weather has gone from wild to mild over the past four days, all over. But fear not, by the weekend, everything should set up again, and they are calling for more snow. So things will be icy, and there may be some wet surprises. The snowmobile trail base is excellent in Quebec this year, and I expect the trails will once gain be A1 in a week or so, after the clubs have a chance to groom them again. What a bizarre year we have had. See you in Ontario Kevin! zw

Franky the sales manager from Location Haute Matawinie, and Denny, owner of the Chute Motel in St-Michel-des-Sts, discuss which way we should ride on Lake Taurau. The light today is low, so we will take it easy, as the lake holds many surprises that must be respected. I am driving a 550 fan cooled Ski Doo loaner, as my GSX is still in the shop. They are waiting on a new shock. Denny's daughter Christine is with us on my two up, and Danielle, Franky's wife is along for the ride on his huge mountain sled. By the way, Frank's sled will be up for auction later in the season!
Click here to see the photos of today's ride.

Dec 6 2007: St-Michel-des-Saints- - Location Haute Matawinie may or may not be the largest snowmobile dealership on the planet, I don't know for sure, but what I do know for sure, is that they sell more used sleds, accessories, and clothing than any dealer I have met, plus they rent to thousands of snowmobile tourists every winter. They have completed two renovation projects in the past year, the latest is a new snowmobile show room sized at 45 feet by 100 feet long. underneath it on the main floor, is a huge new snowmobile storage facility and shop. Franky, the sales manager for over ten years, told me they are selling snowmobiles world wide now, shipping them out by containers. "This week, believe it or not, I shipped four ski-doos to Greece!"

Watch Video Clip od Dealership

Watch Dan with Rental sleds


Yesterday over 50 riders rented snowmobiles.

This dealership is a must see for any sledhead. Thousands of American riders have already purchase sleds from them over the years, and in recent times, hundreds of Newfoundlanders have also purchased snowmobiles from them. They must be doing something right folks. They have sponsored this web site for years, and we appreciate it. Thanks Michael and Franky.

By the way, Franky and I joined Map Man Denny, owner of The Chute yesterday for a blast around the Lake Taurau in St-Michel-des Saints. It was alot of fun!

Call Franky today for any of your snowmobile needs...
Location Haute Matawinie 1-800-833-6015

The winter ATV trails in Quebec are growing in number every year. Now it is possible to ride from St-Michel-des-Saints, all the way to the town of St-Come, and all points south. This is a huge deal here, because it permits thousands of winter Quad enthusiasts to ride north to enjoy the upper Lanaudiere Region, and all the beauty it has to offer. In this photo, Jean-Guy from Repentigny, leads his gang of riders back down to St-Come on the brand new trail after a brief pit stop at Location Haute Matawinie in St-Michel. Click on the picture to see the video clip- but it may take one or two minutes. Enjoy winter in Quebec! zw

Get a room in St-Michel . . .Rent an ATV in St-Michel