Bluebird day, up there today. We have been getting a bit of snow daily. More snow in the forecast, long and short term. 4-6" forecast for Wednesday. No real snow damaging temps for over a week. Might get some May riding in. Outfitter camps wont like this for sure. It's starting too look like ice on lakes and snow in the bush for their May long weekend opener, unless something changes soon. Ski

Chibougamau was on our list which is why we figured we needed to make Matagami on day one.   

anyone doing the 309 from ville marie to val d'or  map shows water closure

When a groomer is going to be broken down for an extended period the club is supposed to get in touch with their district Grooming Manager and that GM would arrange for the club to get the spare District groomer if one is available. If there isn't one available the club & GM decide what will happen next. While moving a groomer from the south seems like an easy choice, the time required to arrange and get the borrowed groomer as well as the cost to move the borrowed groomer back and forth become part of the discussion. Last fall, I heard that the cost to move a groomer ONE WAY to Northeastern Ontario from Southwestern Ontario was in the $3,000.00 range so $6,000.00 round trip. In addition it would likely be 4+ days before the groomer would arrive. So, given the costs and timeframe the decision is not as easy as saying lets get a groomer from Southern Ontario.  Unless it is a case where the broken groomer is going to be down for an extended period, it doesn't make any sense.  They could possibly do what we did in this area this past season when a groomer blew the motor. The surrounding clubs in 2 districts groomed some of the club's trails although the distances in the north might make that a non starter.

Agreed with Steve.    If you want to get to Matagami on Day 1 start in Rouyn.    Make sure you carry gas with you for the run to Matagami.    I ran out on Sat about 10kms south of town as it’s a fast ride and there is quite a bit of snow on the trail which burns a lot more fuel.     I am sitting in Val Dor right now and we left our truck at La Bannik.     The east side of the Matagami run to Lebel is one of my favourite trails to ride anywhere.     Don’t just go to Matagami and turn around.