Gonna be coming up to the Lac St. Jean region around the Christmas to New Years time frame and have been hearing things from someone I know that are not what I was looking to hear. He was telling me that the people in that area are not real friendly to those that can not speak French. Does anyone have experience with a problem up there because of this? From my understanding not many people up there can speak English.

I have not been to that area of Quebec but I have had no issues in other parts. (Gaspesie, Bas st Laurent).
If you act like they SHOULD speak English just for you you will have an issue. If you make even a small effort and be humble about how horrible your French is most people will help you any way they can.

It's all in how you present yourself. Keep in mind their broken English is probably better than your French. They have made an effort to learn the basics of our language.

Stay away from that area! People up there are REALLY MEAN! :smilielol:

Just kidding.....................People up there are super friendly..................Was your friend rip roaring drunk and obnoxious :drunk: ? Did he argue with them about the Jonquierre Walmart closing?


Don't worry about it, rude people is not an issue up there as long as you are nice to them.............have fun! :div20:

That's what I was figuring, but he's all worried about it. The only thing I worry about is getting my hotel room and food and gas, etc. I know virtually no French so any conversations that need to go back and forth are going to be very difficult. Anyone have tips on how to cope with that situation?

I have been going to the region for 22 years. If it was a problem I wouldn't have kept going there. Most all hotels/motels have English speaking people at the check in desk. When I started going up there, I would say maybe 1 in 15-20 spoke English. Today probably like 1 in 5-8. Do not let this be a problem. I stay at the Holiday Inn in Jonquiere and over 50% of the staff speak English. Need a trail pass? Contact me if you do.

Bill

I think they been feeding you some BS infomation.
All the people i came in contact with were more then happy to help if they could and if they could not help they would point you in the right direction.
As for speaking there language as long as you are trying they try also.
And as Bill said a lot of Canadians speak English.

Don't worry, when you show up at a gas station they are pretty sure sure you want gas. Same as a restaurant and hotel. You will cope just fine.

I bring a little phrase book with me to at least try. It does not help much but the locals have a good time at my expense!!! My favorite phrase is " I have diahrea where is the toilete" That one get's a laugh every time :lol2:

One tip for ya, If you don't like mayo learn how to say "No Mayo please" in French!!!

Quebec is a great place enjoy it

I second Sag Bill and the rest of the posts above, Been around the Lac St Jean area at least 12 times, great place to ride, friendly people always willing to help. Last year my nephew lost a chain case bearing at l' etape, we were heading north to Jonquere, had another 100 miles or so to ride so we left him at l'etape to hire a ride to get north to our desitnation, a guy from Jonquere comes in headed north with a truck, my nephew talks with him, a guy from the canadian armed forces, says hes going to Jonquere, hauls his sled up and would not take a dime!!

PS this guy being in the service spoke great English

great hospitality super riding. You gotta love quebec

My tip, speak "Quebec English", learn to speak english the way their English accent sounds, they understand you most of the time.

Another tip, talk slowly if they are having a problem understanding you

RR

A lot of Canadians speak English!!!

About 78% of Canadians claim English as their mother tongue which amounts to about 27 million people. So I guess this is a fair statement.

Hello,

There is a common belief that people in Canada, and Quebec specifically, are snooty. I find this to be pretty far from the truth. People on Quebec Snowmobile Circuit are friendly, courteous, and care. They may not all speak english, but learn about 9 words (Gaz, Auberge, etc) and you will be fine. I speak very little French, and it has not presented a problem yet. Sometimes I have to point and play charades, but thats OK.

So happens I plan on riding in that same region 12/26 to 12/30. I will be leaving (assuming snow exists and trails are good) from St. Raymond, headed to Mont Valin area, perhaps on to La Malbaie, then back to St. Raymond.

Holy jeezzzz!!!!!! that's a good one.


Hey!!!!!! you know what?????

it's f***** cold up here in Quebec lately......we need a big storm coming in from the USA............

seriously, we need a good snow storm now...and for the people in lac saint jean being snooby or what ever, your completly wrong, people are more than happy to see you and your money:P

After riding through most areas in Quebec over the years...that Lac St Jean region is my favorite....whatever you heard about it being unfriendly is bull. Like most areas to the north of Quebec City...I've found it a plus if you know some French, especially when in need of sled repairs. For the most part..don't worry...just go up there and have good time...I guarantee you'll be back

Thanks for all the great replies guys and gals. Can't wait to get up there. Does anyone have a suggested MUST TRAVEL trail. One that is so awesome in views, scenery, or ride quality it is a must travel? I would appreciate any info. Thanks again!

If you get a sunny, clear day.......Be sure to find the trail that heads to the LookOut by the Towers in the Mt. Valin Park.........if you stop at the ranger station they can tell you how to get there......or PM Saguenay Bill for more info........... :div20: :beer:

Its all awesome once you reach Lac St Jean....personally I like going around the west side of the lake going north passing by the zoo in St-Felicien and heading through Dolbeau...theres some nice river scernery in between. Heading to Mt Valins is a must from there....you can see the mountian range from quite a few miles away...it looks awesome on a sunny day as you get closer....its like a big jewel for the ultimate destination.

I agree with ALL the above. Good people, good service & without argument, some of the FINEST TRAILS you will EVER ride in your life.

:beerchug: :beerchug: :beerchug: :beerchug: :banana: :beerchug: :beerchug:

I agree with Marco-F7

People up there are very friendly and they love partying. After numerous years, I am going back this winter in Roberval area, Mont Valin, etc.

Trails are fantastic.

it is the best up there i go every year the week between xmas and new year let me know if you are going maby we can meet up i just called up their and they said thire is riding across the river in mt valion but all should be good up their by then pm me if you are going :beerchug: :div20:

A pic of the Chappelle (church) at Mt Valin. Nice place to gas up and grab a lunch on your way through this area.

Great snow mobile storage at the Holiday inn in Jonquere. Swimming pool makes a great coral.

Lac St jean is a great place to tour

RR

One section of trail I really like is Route 93, east of Jalobert, but west of Coronet. There is a very long section of this trail (10's of miles) that is a road during summer, but not in the winter. It's not a straitaway, but very nice graceful turns, and the tail is hugely wide and visibility is good. It's one of my favorites.

are the trails open yet?

arubenstein, I know exactly where you mean. That section is AWESOME!!!
You could go 90mph all the way and it wouldnt be considered unsafe.

The trails are open but limited in the mt Valin area, Lac Jalobert. The snow cover around the Lac St Jean villages is not adequate yet.

Very well said!

Remember you are in their country and if you make an attempt to speak thier language you will be amazed at how much english they may know. If you expect them to understand everything you are saying and dont show appreciation they will put up a wall and act snooty.

Recently I was told a story of a guy not understanding some questions and the guy from Maine was frustrated so he gave him the finger and off he went. Will this guy help me if I stop to ask him a question, probably not now since he has a bad taste of us ugle and arrogant americans in his mouth.

Some of the best touring to have is in Quebec, be patient and they will be very helpful to you.

You are referring to C 900. It is 53km long on the 93 section, if you continue straight, on the local trail. it is another 22km to where it heads towards the Chapelle and drops back onto 93. C900 also continues on for another 10-15 miles or a total of 90-100km or 55 to 60 miles. Where C900 ends, for snowmobiling, another road is the trail. This takes you down to Les Escoumins.

Here is a pic of the C900, what a great run this piece of 93 is.
RR

Spend the night, or two at the ski area in Monts Valin. The woman who sells gas will put you up in an empty lodge or her apartment @ her house. They let us snowmobile on a section of the ski area that was closed until the weekend. This was as fun as it gets...under about 3 FT. of fresh you know what. The people in this area are fantastic. Treat them with respect and they will reciprocate. The trail riding I remember most was the trail into La Tuque. Big sweeping turns with slight drops... at about 80-90. The trails are groomed to perfection. The dealer in Roberval, AC of course, repaired one of our blown Mt Cat motors on a Sunday!!!! A fantastic guy that told us all about area. If you like BIG snow, go to monts valin and you will not be disappointed. Ask Sag. Bill for other hotels down the Sag. river. as we never did that trip. Almost always a good ride from St. Raymond to Le'tape to Roberval and Chicoutimi. pardon the spelling. This is one interesting area with the most incredible trail system I have ever seen.