By: Matt Lester
I just arrived back from a three day visit to one of my favorite snowmobile hot-spots in the beautiful Lanaudiere (LA-NO-DEE-AIR) region of Quebec. Auberge du Lac Taureau is an absolute jewel hidden about 15 miles north of the infamous snowmobiler’s town of Saint-Michel-des-Saints (two hours north of Montreal).
The resort recently completed the addition of 29 condo units. No expense was spared in their construction which features wood planked hard wood floors, exposed log-cabin beams, Corion counter tops, plasma TVs, lofts, luxurious ensuite baths, Duvet comforters and balconies overlooking the magnificent Taureau Lake.
Heading NE off Trans-Quebec trail #33 we rode nothing but peanut butter along Regional Trail #360 for about 40 miles. We met plenty of sledders along the way and the trails were superb. For anyone wondering, there’s plenty of white in the northern part of Lanaudiere.
Only after crossing Taureau Lake Dam (and you literally do go right across the top of it) did we experience some limited trail riding. Our advice to any visitors is to stay north.
Trail conditions improved as we neared the world famous Auberge le Cabanon for lunch and it was refreshing to see snowmobilers flooding Cabanon’s dining room and gas pumps.
The parking lot had plates from New Hampshire, PA, Ohio, New York, Mass., Maryland, Vermont, Michigan and even Wisconsin and not once did I hear a single complaint about the conditions.
Snowmobiling is alive and well in the Lanaudiere region so load your trailer up and make the most of the season.
For trail conditions and more information on the region visit SnowmobileCountry.ca
