A group of us are planning our first Quebec trip. I'm wondering if we have planned too much distance between stops. It is as follows:

DAY 1 - Temiscaming to Val-d'Or -324 km
DAY 2 - Val-d'Or - Matagami - 342km
DAY 3 - Matagami - Rouyn-Nornanda - 381km
DAY 4 - Rouyn-Nornanda - Temiscaming - 243km

Five sledders are going and we would like to be in town by 5 pm or so each night.

Are these trials relatively fast? Any other suggestions / must see night entertainment??

Opinions much appreciated.

Those are some good runs my friend, long days, you might want to shorten up the trip by a day and just do some local riding. just my advice, but after 4 days of riding 300+km a day you might just want to taker easy and not have to worry about making a particular destination.

I've ridden that a couple times. Never a day under 200 miles (not kms). I personally prefer central Quebec starting from Mount Laurier. I assume Temiscaming would be the closest to quebec from where you are from.

300-400km is a good average day in Quebec to be able to leave after breakfast and be in around 5.

Have fun and post back how it is. The trails are really nice and you should have enough time
for all those KM's. If you have not made large trips before.... don't forget to add in some planning
for breakdowns, etc. including a way to get a dead sled home.

I would leave the trip one day shorter and check out some of the smaller trails and when you
find a place you like you have time to stay and play...Unless you just like to run TOP trails?

http://www.fcmq.qc.ca/english/pages.asp?id=63

http://www.fcmq.qc.ca/english/pages.asp?id=103

Good Riding

Excellent runs.
If you go south from Mattagami on the 109 to St Dominique we were 110 miles to gas. The 396 was fine for gas stops.
The Harricana is a beautiful log lodge south of Val d'Or but no night life. The Forestel is good, right on the trail and close to "entertainment" and the Doo dealer. Hotel l'Escale had awesome food but was at the far end of town, heated indoor storage too.

Cheers

I see no problem with that itinerary we regularly run any where from 250 - 300 miles a day up there and are back before dark. If you have never been on those trails you will love it, smooth and fast. Can't wait!

Thanks for all the good info guys. We've done lots of running but never in Quebec, so we are quite excited. Anyone know much about the Hotel-Motel Continental in Val-d'Or? It's the only hotel that we're not sure of. Any Al Bundy type places in Rouyn-Noranda?
Thanks for the comment about the gas situation. We are taking the 396 out of Matagami, but what about the it going from Val-d'or into Matagami?

We did north bay to Rouyn- Noranda the day the closed hwy 400 last year. Big winds and drifty up near Ville Marie but got in before dark. That night it got down to -35 without the wind chill, so we were in no hurry that day. Guys in the hotel came from Matagami that day. We went to Amos for lunch and then to Val-d'Or the second day and stayed at Hotel-Motel Con. Its right downtown and pretty easy to get to. $5 cab right to the Red Light......oo la la! The harricana is about 45minutes to an hour south of Val-d'Or, but like Tinker said ............ I think we may give it a try this year. The 3rd day we went back to North Bay via 309 and got back by 4pm.

I think your trip is realistic, but try to get on the trail by 8am. The only problem you could have is cold weather. It's no fun doing 250 miles in the cold after getting a late start because someones sled won't start.

When are you going??

the dawg

We did north bay to Rouyn- Noranda the day the closed hwy 400 last year. Big winds and drifty up near Ville Marie but got in before dark. That night it got down to -35 without the wind chill, so we were in no hurry that day. Guys in the hotel came from Matagami that day. We went to Amos for lunch and then to Val-d'Or the second day and stayed at Hotel-Motel Con. Its right downtown and pretty easy to get to. $5 cab right to the Red Light......oo la la! The harricana is about 45minutes to an hour south of Val-d'Or, but like Tinker said ............ I think we may give it a try this year. The 3rd day we went back to North Bay via 309 and got back by 4pm.

I think your trip is realistic, but try to get on the trail by 8am. The only problem you could have is cold weather. It's no fun doing 250 miles in the cold after getting a late start because someones sled won't start.

When are you going??

the dawg

By your mileage #'s not sure if you are planning on taking 396 to Villebois, and then down thru La Reine, or down the more traveled route to Amos. If you decide to take 396 to Villebois, that is if the trail is open!! do check ahead, don't just trust the web sites. Several years ago went thru on 18 miles of plowed logging roads, and no posted warning. We did find gas at a logging camp. We had come from Amos, on 600 sdi's and no real issues or worries about gas. Nice ride across the top to Villebois, and only saw 2 other sleds.
Have a great trip, maybe my favorite all round region to ride.

Val d'Or to Mattagami may be the longest day getting out of Val d'Or. 313 to 93 is awesome, Barraute and the clubhouse are cool and it is fast running. Gas in Senneterre is at the marina right as you hit the river or go in town. Gas in Quevellion is just past the turn for the 396. You'll go from Senneterre to the clubhouse 1/2 way to Mattagami before yo know it. You got to remember though that you are way up there after Quevellion so prepare for everything. Heavy snow and falling snow can really change your plans but I've never had a problem cancelling or getting rooms. No problem winging it if necessary.

Cheers

We are planning for mid-February. Hopefully all trails should be open by then.

Thanks everyone for your comments - keep them coming!
We are so excited about this trip! And to add fuel to the fire, where we live has a snow squall warning for tonight!
Can't wait for snow!

We had a room there 2 years ago for like around $100 for 2 including supper. They had a spot set up just for sleds to park next to the main enterance with camera's. The only thing i didnt like about going there was driving down all the streets to get there. Kinda hard to get directions there until a fellow sledder showed us he way. Sounds like a good trip as mine was a success going the same route as you. Quebec trails rock with some being like divided highways. have a good trip

Tinker is right ... Val dor to Mattagami will be your longest day. You may want to look at going through Amos it will take of a little time. You can go north from Val dor on 313, 309, or 307 and from Amos straight north it is a smokin trail. Then when you leave Mattagami you can come down 303 another great trail. Past La Sarre and into Rouyn on 93. I would skip the Continental if you can and in Rouyn the Alpin is a good spot for the boys. Your last day is short 155 miles. My wife and I leave Hotel Gouveners in Rouyn by 8 am and we are loaded, changed and heading home by 1:00 pm. Anyway you go it will be an awsome trip. The trails are out of this world the people are great and the Traffic is 1/10th of Ontario. Have a good one.

Sounds like to HM Continental is not our best option for Val-d'Or. Any suggestion? One problem is that there is a hockey tourney during the week and some of the hotels are already full.

Avoid the Continental in Val d'Or......it is downtown.Worst place for a sledder to get at