Snowmobile season is
NOT OVER for Mont Valins! Sneak
Peak bash starts tomorrow
March 30 - 2006: I got a call from my buddy Mark . Mark wanted to
know if there was still snow up at Monts Vallis, 3 hours north of Quebec
City. I made some calls. Everyone tells me that the 300 or so groomed
miles of trail on the highlands, are 10/10 - in other words, the
trails are freakin' amazing!
Yvon Fortin runs the La Chappelle Restauraunt up there, and he
tells me that all four big snowmobile manufacturers will be there with
their 2007 models! This
is called the Croton - Jambon Weekend.
Last year over 1200 people showed up for the weekend, and getting a
room became a challenge.
Meet Yvon Fortin
and André his sweetheart. Along with their daughter, they turn
a small country chapel into a restauraunt every winter, to help sledders
have a great winter. Read my story about Monts Valin from a few years
back HERE.
I also called Rejean
Laberge at the Bombardier Dealership in North Chicoutimi
(at the foot of the highlands) and he confirmed to me that yes, the
trails are still excellent.
Mont Valins is famous
for having the earliest snowmobile trails in Quebec, and also
for keeping the trails in top shape long into the month of April!
Mark Miller is on his way up there today. Don't forget to visit his
huge Arctic Cat - Yamaha dealership
this spring- he'll set you up for all your toys needs - but remember,
once you see the boats, the bikes, the atvs, and the sleds in his
showroom, you'll be pretty much hooped. Bring your check book, 'cause
he has some darn nice toys in there, and you won't be able to leave
without taking one or two home!
Here are a few phone
numbers you could use - just in case you still need one more trip with
your sled!
Yvon and André at the La Chapelle 418-690-4140
Auberge du 31 ask for Marcelin- 418-948-0960
Ski-Doo Dealer (good guys!) 1-877-543-3600
Hotel LaTourelle (has rooms!) 1-418-674-2614
Please remember to talk
SLOWLY and clearly. Ask your qns deliberately, and just stick to the
point. These folks hardly ever hear the English language, never mind
your bizarre American accents!! :)
Have fun, and remember
to send me 5 photos, and some written details. I especially would like
some photos of all the 07 models, and of course, any pretty girls that
may be present!
"Le
REFUGE" Never
Forget March 29th 2005
The popular snowmobile Auberge is destroyed by arson.
Exactly one year ago today, at five am, Crazy Al Lasalle
and Danny Sigoin were brutally murdered, and their bodies mutilated
and burned at the Refuge Inn, on Lake Stanislas in St-Zenon
Quebec, in this raging inferno.
Crazy Al was greatly loved by snowmobilers from all over, and
he has been sadly missed. Danny was his close friend for twenty years,
and we remember him as well. We pray for their children and families
today.
We also pray that God's swift hand of justice will crush those that
did this act, and grind them into dust.
And to you, the
murdering vermin scum bags that committed this heinous act, I promise
you one thing, that although you seem to have escaped the long arm of
the law for now, you will never escape the righteous anger of God. You
are forever cursed, and you will burn in hell for eternity.
You all recognize this
Fat Lady singing, because I have featured her portrait every year now
- seven years in a row. Usualy I keep her in the closet until there
is no more snow in Quebec, but this year, I've dragged her out
early, to get your attention.
I spoke to Bernard at Motel Safari yesterday, and he said there
are still people out there riding, but he fears this may be the last
weekend for snowmobiling in his area. As it is now, they set
up camp at his place, and then trailer out a ways.
Call
these honest folks for
a weather report & trail conditions!
Laurentians
Dominique at the Esterel 1-888-378-3735
Cathy at 100 Lacs:Mont Laurier 1-877-440-4545 or 819-971-1240
Mauricie
St-Joseph de Mekinac - Diane & Jean Beaulieu 1-819-646-5242
Shawinigan South- Crazy Bernard 1-819-536-2664
Shawinigan - Hotel Escapade - Denny 1-800-461-6911
Lanaudiere
Rawdon: Steve Solo & Sylvie -450-834-3766
Real Masse, Gilles, Nancy, or Alain- 1-450-884-5502
Anne in St-Michel-des-Saints - (sled rentals) 1-800-833-6015
Christian (KIKI) - on Lake Taureau - 1-450-833-2000
Little Mikey - Motel 'M' in St-Michel-des-Sts - 1-877-833-5467
Jean Michel & Lise at Le Zenon - 1-450-884-1441
'Map Man' Denny - on Lake Taureau- 1-866-833-1171
Guylain the Mini Storage guy in St-Michel- 450- 833-2002
Rolland or Ghislain at Radio Shack in SMdS 1-450-833-2929
Upper Mauricie
Parent call Michael at Pourvoirie Escapade - 1-819-974-1226
Hi
Zen,
Well, we got back on Tuesday after closing out the season in Quebec.
I did not get the hat in time so sans pictures.
We drove all the way up to Domaine 100 Lac on Wednesday night.
It was a haul from VT and when we arrived after 8 hours and 80 miles
of logging road we were happy to have a warm cabin to stay in.
The staff at 100 Lacs were great despite being surprised that
we actually drove trucks up there. I would bet we were the only crew
to not ride in on sleds all year.
After a good breakfast and nice service from Christine we headed out
for a 180 mile loop down to Saint Anne Du Lac, a few side trails,
up 319 and back. Friday morning it was poring out. We decided to abandon
out stay at 100 Lacs and get South in the trucks and drive to Pourvoirie
Mekoos which we spotted on our ride the day before.
It was a long trip as the roads were iced up pretty good. A few beers
along the way made the rainy day fly by. When it rains in Vermont
we drive the back roads and have a few road sodas so it seemed like
any other day. Mekoos was excellent and Bobby and his family were gracious
hosts. We spent 4 nights at Mekoos and watched every one leave as we
decided it was more fun to stick out the rain and ride mash potato snow
than go home and work.
We had a blast and Saturday was hot and sunny. Bobby sent us out on
one of Mekoos lakes where we relaxed in the sun. Mekoos has 180 square
miles of land and 130 lakes. It is an amazing place year round. Later
in the day Shannon's sled seized 100 feet from the Girly Bar
at Lac Gravel throwing another wrench in the gears. But we rented
him a Renegade and he was psyched.
The next few days we rode several loops down to Chute-Saint-Philippe
and up into Gatineau. Trails were a 10 based on the shitty
winter we had in Vermont. Anyone who complains about soft snow and bumps
needs to sell their sled and take up figure skating. Here are
some shots and a short Vid.
JP was not at 100 Lacs when we were there, however we ran into
him in Mont Saint Michel and he is a great guy. I would recommend his
place any day even thought I would not drive up there again and the
smoking in the dining room sucked. But hey I hear that is going away
in Quebec soon. (Yes - in May it will be illegal in all public places
in Quebec. You shd have asked JP's staff. When I was there, no one smoked
when I came in to eat, because I would throw up. I am very alergic to
cigarette smoke.)
The scenery was beautiful
as you will see and once again riding in Quebec was fantastic.
Thanks
Eliot, Shannon, and Jim
from Vermont
Great Report Elliot
- I already sent you the hat! Can you send e a photo of you wearing
it? THANKS!
Used Snowmobile ATV Sale - Massive
Ski-doo Bombardier used snowmobile & ATV sell off on now for April only at Location Haute Matawinie
save up to 5,000 bucks by getting a used '06 Ski-Doo.
Hey - Do you want to be the next "Zen
Star"? Then just e-mail me with your photo (do not send more
than 3) and a paragraph or two to describe who is in the pics,
where they come from, where and when you rode,
and how much fun you had.. Send your photo and your report to me at
zen@zenwaiter.com
Quebec Snowmobile Rentals
Snowmobile Rental Business
Booming in Snowy Quebec
Dec 19 2005: Daniel from Location Haute Matawinie, the St-Michel-des-Saints
Polaris and Bombardier snowmobile dealership, captains his brand new
semi truck, hauling 22 Bombardier 550 fan cooled sleds to a rental
dealership near Quebec City. To see all the photos of my day in Quebec;
Click
Here!
