Hopefully they dont plow the snow.     I lost a set of keys the same way last year.    Never found them.   Ended up throwing out 2 sets of trailer wheel locks.     (didnt have spares).      

No new blood/youth - it will die a slow death. They simply aren't there right now

Good to hear you made it. Looking at the grooming map you are in for an epic day of riding! Enjoy!

Motel Louise was the solution in Ville Marie.  Not fancy, but nothing wrong with it.  Found out the hard way that TQ83 is closed south of Notre Dame du Nord.  Not sure why I didn’t check the app, but we survived.  506 kms later we’re in Matagamy.  32 liters to get the 183 kms from the gas station on the reserve in Amos to the gas station in Matagamy.  You definitely burn through the fuel coming up the west side.  Onto Chibougamau tomorrow.  -28 tonight here.  Definitely still winter.  Snow banks in town are easily 6’ tall.  Trails have been good to absolutely f’in fantastic today.  If you are in anyway questioning it just get in the truck and head north.  You won’t regret it.

Is it really just a few hundred permit buyers?   What about all the service workers in the area who benefit?    Friday and Saturday nights we heard all hotels in Cochrane were booked.  Lots of sledders.  Add in Kirkland lake, Kap, Hearst, New Liskeard.   I would think the economic benefit to the area with the extended season and number of sledders kept happy would be worth the extra support required.   But I guess it is mostly diehards who make the trek and they will ride in any conditions.  So  OFSC can take easy way out!