Preacher
Expert
We stayed at Au Pays de Real Masse. www.realmasse.com. We arrived Monday, January 26 and stayed until January 30. We drove all Sunday night and got there at 6:30 in the morning on Monday. The temperature was -38 F. We had four Yamaha snowmobiles: an 07 Attak GT, an 07 Attak, an 07 Apex, and an 07 Venture. Three of the sleds started up immediately. It took us ten minutes to start one of the Attaks. Real Masse is a great snowmobiling location. Great people, great food, secure heated snowmobile garage, on-site fuel, located right on a main trail, and an on-site groomer.
On the first day of riding, we headed North on 345 to the Lac Taureau Dam. The trails were excellent. From the dam we headed West on 360, this trail was also excellent. We intersected trans-Quebec 33 and headed South towards Auberge du Lac Taureau. These trails were rough and it seemed the closer we came to the lake the worse the trails became. Auberge du Lac Taureau is a magnificent log structure. This is a great place to take your spouse snowmobiling. Very high-end, lacks nothing for amenities. We stopped at their bistro for a break. The guys from Valcourt (Skidoo) were testing their 2010 sleds at the lodge. Their were a bunch of doo-talkers staying at the lodge. I would of thought the trails would have been groomed since this seemed to be a pretty big event. Maybe they wanted rough trails, who knows. We continued South on 33 towards Saint-Michel-des-Saints and the trails were much better. We took 318 towards Hotel-Motel Le Central. Great trail. Then we took 343 South towards Saint-Zenon. Excellent trail. We then headed East on 350. Excellent trails. We ran into 345 and headed back to camp.
Day two could only be described as one of the best snowmobile riding days we have ever had. The entire day was a clear blue sky, temperatures were about -5 F. The trail conditions, for the most part, were excellent, except for one stretch which I will mention as we get there. We headed North on 345 out of camp and then went West on 350. Then we intersected trans-Quebec 63. We worked our way North and Westward towards Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. On that trail we went through Montagne du Loup. This trail is spectacular. Just amazing trails with amazing scenery. If you visit this area you have to do this trail. We intersected trans-Quebec 63 and headed South for a short distance and then we took 310 South (Caribou trail) through the park, towards Saint-Donat. Another awesome trail. We took a local trail off of 310 to get fuel and continued through the local trails in the village of Saint-Donat. Saint-Donat is a village that caters to the snowmobiling clientele like no place I've seen. They close sections of their sidewalks to pedestrians and only allow snowmobiles to use them so that you can get anywhere you need to in town. Good restaurants, all the major snowmobile dealers, fuel, the works. Cutting through Saint-Donat local trails we got back on trans-Quebec 33 and headed towards Montagne Noire (Black mountain). We took the scenic trail to Montagne Noire and the ride up the mountain was incredible. They had a major snow storm a few days before and everything on the mountain was frosted. Beautiful blue skies, and frosted trees as far as the eye could see. We found out from the locals that if you bring bread and hold it up in your hand the birds will feed right out of your hand. Part of the scenic trail takes you to Black mountain lake. This is an incredible ride and should not be missed. The trail heads South and you see the mountains in the Laurentides section of Quebec. It's a very hilly and twisty trail, but it is a magnificent ride. We headed back down the mountain, took trans-Quebec 33 South, headed back towards Saint-Donat. Then we continued on 33 towards the ski-slope. The trail goes up and around the back of the ski-slope. You get a spectacular view of Saint-Donat. We continued on 33 towards Notre Dame de La Merci (Our Lady of Mercy). We took a local trail towards the Notre Dame de La Merci suspension bridge, which also connects you onto trans-Quebec 43. We headed East on 43 over the bridge to the village of Saint-Come. This is also a spectacular trail. Just outside of Saint-Come we took 341 into town and ate dinner. Food was great, Pelletier Restaurant. While we were driving though Saint-Come on 341 we saw some amazing ice sculptures all throughout the town. The town is best-known for its ice sculpture festival they host every year. We headed out of town on 341 South and up to this point the trails were ten out of ten. Once 341 merged with 349, for about a seven-mile stretch, these trails were brutal. It looked like they hadn't been groomed in about two weeks, very rough. We headed on these trails towards Lac Noir and we intersected trans-Quebec 63. We headed North and we had virgin groomed trails from that point all the way to Auberge La Glaciere (approx. 30 mi.) When we arrived at Auberge La Glacier the groomer was just pulling in for the night. We hit it just right. From there we took 350 East and then 345 South back to Real-Masse. His groomer had just finished that section as well. Day two we rode about 250 miles and it was one of the most amazing days I've ever had on a snowmobile. One observation is that it is difficult to find gas stations open after six, so if you are riding this area plan accordingly. one of the nice things about being at Real-Masse is that you can get gas up to nine.
Day three we woke up to a steady snow that lasted all day. For pretty much the entire day we rode on 3-6 inches of fresh powder. It was a flat out blast. The trails had been groomed and the extra powder on top just made it that much more fun. We headed South on 345 towards Saint-Damien. We took 349 East towards Mandeville. Just before town we crossed over a covered bridge that was built exclusively for snowmobiles. What a well built and beautiful structure. We stopped under it to get out of the snow for ten minutes and we were really impressed with the design of the bridge. We continued on 349 to Pourvoirie de Lac Blanc (White Lake Restaurant). 349 continues east into the Mauricie section of Quebec. 349 then turns North towards Lac a L'Eau Claire. Riding in this section of the Mauricie area is mostly heavily wooded, but very scenic trails. We intersected 318 and headed west into the Maurice national park. Nancy, at Real-Masse, suggested we check out the hotel at Lac Sacacomie. She said that if we were impressed with Aubourge du Lac Taureau we would be blown away by this place. We took Lac Sacacomie trail to the hotel and ate lunch there. The place is a magnificent, 110 room hotel made entirely out of logs. I have been in construction for 30 years and have never seen anything like it. www.sacacomie.com/en/accueil/ After lunch, we got back on 318, heading west, and had a phenomenal ride through the national park. With about 20 miles to go on 318 we met the groomer and had a phenomenal ride the rest of the way in. Just outside the park we intersected 345 and headed south and passed Auberge Le Cabanon. 345 joins 350 west for a little bit and then we split off on 345 south back to Real-Masses's place. Another great day of riding.
Day four we headed north on 345 and cut over on 350, and then 343 through Saint-Zenon. Then up to Saint-Michel des Saints where we took 318 west and picked up trans-Quebec 33. We headed south on that trail and continued until we entered Parc National du Mont-Tremblant. 33 and 63 merge into one trail for about 8 miles. Very wide, very fast trail. We hit the intersection where 63 and 33 split and we stayed on 33 and continued on towards Saint-Donat. On day two we took 310, the Caribou trail, but this time we were continuing on 33 which takes us to the other side of Saint-Donat. This trail was more mountainous, definitely more scenic, but a bit more challenging. We continued on 33 and past the black mountain scenic trail and went into Saint-Donat for lunch and fuel. We headed towards the ski-slope on 33, cut over to Notre Dame de la Merci. Just before we intersected with 43,( that takes you to the suspension bridge) we took 310 north instead. This takes you east of Saint-Donat and it becomes the Caribou trail through the national park. We went all the way back up to where 63 and 33 merge and this time we took 63 where the two trans-Quebec routes split off. We took 63 east, which is a great trail through the park and the mountains and we continued through Montagne du Loup. All of these trails were well-groomed and had tremendous scenery. We eventually got back to Auberge la Glaciere and that is where we took 350 east. Then 345 south back to Real-Masse's. We got home in time for supper. Another great day of riding. We noticed that Thursday night at our cabin, that the temperature was 22 F. This was a sixty degree difference from the Monday morning low of -38 F. Just a side note: the only time that Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures are the same is at -40 degrees. Its the exact same temp. in Celsius and Fahrenheit. We almost saw that Monday morning. I hope this report has been helpful to anybody considering riding this area. You will not be disappointed in the Lanaudiere area of Quebec. I can see why this area has been rated the top snowmobiling location in North America, more than a few times.
On the first day of riding, we headed North on 345 to the Lac Taureau Dam. The trails were excellent. From the dam we headed West on 360, this trail was also excellent. We intersected trans-Quebec 33 and headed South towards Auberge du Lac Taureau. These trails were rough and it seemed the closer we came to the lake the worse the trails became. Auberge du Lac Taureau is a magnificent log structure. This is a great place to take your spouse snowmobiling. Very high-end, lacks nothing for amenities. We stopped at their bistro for a break. The guys from Valcourt (Skidoo) were testing their 2010 sleds at the lodge. Their were a bunch of doo-talkers staying at the lodge. I would of thought the trails would have been groomed since this seemed to be a pretty big event. Maybe they wanted rough trails, who knows. We continued South on 33 towards Saint-Michel-des-Saints and the trails were much better. We took 318 towards Hotel-Motel Le Central. Great trail. Then we took 343 South towards Saint-Zenon. Excellent trail. We then headed East on 350. Excellent trails. We ran into 345 and headed back to camp.
Day two could only be described as one of the best snowmobile riding days we have ever had. The entire day was a clear blue sky, temperatures were about -5 F. The trail conditions, for the most part, were excellent, except for one stretch which I will mention as we get there. We headed North on 345 out of camp and then went West on 350. Then we intersected trans-Quebec 63. We worked our way North and Westward towards Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. On that trail we went through Montagne du Loup. This trail is spectacular. Just amazing trails with amazing scenery. If you visit this area you have to do this trail. We intersected trans-Quebec 63 and headed South for a short distance and then we took 310 South (Caribou trail) through the park, towards Saint-Donat. Another awesome trail. We took a local trail off of 310 to get fuel and continued through the local trails in the village of Saint-Donat. Saint-Donat is a village that caters to the snowmobiling clientele like no place I've seen. They close sections of their sidewalks to pedestrians and only allow snowmobiles to use them so that you can get anywhere you need to in town. Good restaurants, all the major snowmobile dealers, fuel, the works. Cutting through Saint-Donat local trails we got back on trans-Quebec 33 and headed towards Montagne Noire (Black mountain). We took the scenic trail to Montagne Noire and the ride up the mountain was incredible. They had a major snow storm a few days before and everything on the mountain was frosted. Beautiful blue skies, and frosted trees as far as the eye could see. We found out from the locals that if you bring bread and hold it up in your hand the birds will feed right out of your hand. Part of the scenic trail takes you to Black mountain lake. This is an incredible ride and should not be missed. The trail heads South and you see the mountains in the Laurentides section of Quebec. It's a very hilly and twisty trail, but it is a magnificent ride. We headed back down the mountain, took trans-Quebec 33 South, headed back towards Saint-Donat. Then we continued on 33 towards the ski-slope. The trail goes up and around the back of the ski-slope. You get a spectacular view of Saint-Donat. We continued on 33 towards Notre Dame de La Merci (Our Lady of Mercy). We took a local trail towards the Notre Dame de La Merci suspension bridge, which also connects you onto trans-Quebec 43. We headed East on 43 over the bridge to the village of Saint-Come. This is also a spectacular trail. Just outside of Saint-Come we took 341 into town and ate dinner. Food was great, Pelletier Restaurant. While we were driving though Saint-Come on 341 we saw some amazing ice sculptures all throughout the town. The town is best-known for its ice sculpture festival they host every year. We headed out of town on 341 South and up to this point the trails were ten out of ten. Once 341 merged with 349, for about a seven-mile stretch, these trails were brutal. It looked like they hadn't been groomed in about two weeks, very rough. We headed on these trails towards Lac Noir and we intersected trans-Quebec 63. We headed North and we had virgin groomed trails from that point all the way to Auberge La Glaciere (approx. 30 mi.) When we arrived at Auberge La Glacier the groomer was just pulling in for the night. We hit it just right. From there we took 350 East and then 345 South back to Real-Masse. His groomer had just finished that section as well. Day two we rode about 250 miles and it was one of the most amazing days I've ever had on a snowmobile. One observation is that it is difficult to find gas stations open after six, so if you are riding this area plan accordingly. one of the nice things about being at Real-Masse is that you can get gas up to nine.
Day three we woke up to a steady snow that lasted all day. For pretty much the entire day we rode on 3-6 inches of fresh powder. It was a flat out blast. The trails had been groomed and the extra powder on top just made it that much more fun. We headed South on 345 towards Saint-Damien. We took 349 East towards Mandeville. Just before town we crossed over a covered bridge that was built exclusively for snowmobiles. What a well built and beautiful structure. We stopped under it to get out of the snow for ten minutes and we were really impressed with the design of the bridge. We continued on 349 to Pourvoirie de Lac Blanc (White Lake Restaurant). 349 continues east into the Mauricie section of Quebec. 349 then turns North towards Lac a L'Eau Claire. Riding in this section of the Mauricie area is mostly heavily wooded, but very scenic trails. We intersected 318 and headed west into the Maurice national park. Nancy, at Real-Masse, suggested we check out the hotel at Lac Sacacomie. She said that if we were impressed with Aubourge du Lac Taureau we would be blown away by this place. We took Lac Sacacomie trail to the hotel and ate lunch there. The place is a magnificent, 110 room hotel made entirely out of logs. I have been in construction for 30 years and have never seen anything like it. www.sacacomie.com/en/accueil/ After lunch, we got back on 318, heading west, and had a phenomenal ride through the national park. With about 20 miles to go on 318 we met the groomer and had a phenomenal ride the rest of the way in. Just outside the park we intersected 345 and headed south and passed Auberge Le Cabanon. 345 joins 350 west for a little bit and then we split off on 345 south back to Real-Masses's place. Another great day of riding.
Day four we headed north on 345 and cut over on 350, and then 343 through Saint-Zenon. Then up to Saint-Michel des Saints where we took 318 west and picked up trans-Quebec 33. We headed south on that trail and continued until we entered Parc National du Mont-Tremblant. 33 and 63 merge into one trail for about 8 miles. Very wide, very fast trail. We hit the intersection where 63 and 33 split and we stayed on 33 and continued on towards Saint-Donat. On day two we took 310, the Caribou trail, but this time we were continuing on 33 which takes us to the other side of Saint-Donat. This trail was more mountainous, definitely more scenic, but a bit more challenging. We continued on 33 and past the black mountain scenic trail and went into Saint-Donat for lunch and fuel. We headed towards the ski-slope on 33, cut over to Notre Dame de la Merci. Just before we intersected with 43,( that takes you to the suspension bridge) we took 310 north instead. This takes you east of Saint-Donat and it becomes the Caribou trail through the national park. We went all the way back up to where 63 and 33 merge and this time we took 63 where the two trans-Quebec routes split off. We took 63 east, which is a great trail through the park and the mountains and we continued through Montagne du Loup. All of these trails were well-groomed and had tremendous scenery. We eventually got back to Auberge la Glaciere and that is where we took 350 east. Then 345 south back to Real-Masse's. We got home in time for supper. Another great day of riding. We noticed that Thursday night at our cabin, that the temperature was 22 F. This was a sixty degree difference from the Monday morning low of -38 F. Just a side note: the only time that Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures are the same is at -40 degrees. Its the exact same temp. in Celsius and Fahrenheit. We almost saw that Monday morning. I hope this report has been helpful to anybody considering riding this area. You will not be disappointed in the Lanaudiere area of Quebec. I can see why this area has been rated the top snowmobiling location in North America, more than a few times.
towing
Expert
Wow,
It seems you had a great time in my snowmobile playground .
Very good detailed ride report
You can take a look at these links (photo ride-reports I made from Lanaudiere) and you will reconize many places and trails you did...
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=69076
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=68513
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=67219
Happy to see that you enjoyed your stay in Lanaudière
Bye
Alain
It seems you had a great time in my snowmobile playground .
Very good detailed ride report
You can take a look at these links (photo ride-reports I made from Lanaudiere) and you will reconize many places and trails you did...
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=69076
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=68513
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=67219
Happy to see that you enjoyed your stay in Lanaudière
Bye
Alain
Preacher
Expert
Tow, I am embarrassed to admit that none of us remembered to bring a camera. I guess that means we will just have to come back. It was a great trip. Maybe next time up we can hook up and ride . I am sure you know all the great trails.
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