It is not my mission to map out or dictate a turn by turn ride for you to duplicate for an enjoyable snowmobile experience.
My mission is to present often overlooked areas which offer incredible snowmobiling opportunities.
These opportunities often include significant natural beauty, snow, grooming and hospitality. As an added bonus you will typically experience the benefits of greater safety and consistent trail conditions due to more grooming and far less traffic.
( Map Mont Valin West)
In this installment I invite you to explore the vast opportunities to be found in the Mont Valin West. Many passionate snowmobilers have heard of or experienced the well known areas of Mont Valin East.
The 50 mile radius around Lac Jalobert which includes the summit trails, historic Relais Chappelle, Auberge 31 and Valinouet Ski area is well known to many. Day trippers often venture out to Relais Onatchiway as a mid point for lunch and fuel. But…….. what would happen if you used Relais Onatchiway as your starting point, the days’ final destination and your starting point the following day ? What would you find and where could you go ?
Relais Onatchiway
What you would find is a warm comfortable place from which to base a new Mont Valin West experience. You would find a place with an entirely different atmosphere from the hustle and bustle of lunchtime. Daniel Merciers’ Relais Onatchiway takes on an all new and more peaceful existence after the lunch bunch moves on and you should take the time to experience it.
Evenings at Relais Onatchiway offer a slower pace which is conducive to conversation with your riding partners, new friends or an attractive waitress. The fondue (advanced notice required) is a “MUST DO” specialty.
You can also enjoy “end of the day” consumption of your preferred beverage, practice some bad French with the locals or even play a little nerf football under the gentle glow of the gas pump and star lit sky. The point is that this place has another side and most snowmobilers have only been introduced to the mid day rush. Daniel and his “lots of fun” staff are ready and willing to make your stay pleasant.
The great Staff
Daniel and his wife Claire have owned and expanded Relais Onatchiway since 2000. The pride taken in their continued improvements is evident. Daniel is particularly proud of his restored and fully functional 1965 Olympic.
Greg and Daniel, particularly proud of his restored and fully functional 1965 Olympic.
As for accommodations, there are several reasonably priced choices at Relais Onatchiway. Three modern and fully equipped chalets can each accommodate as many as 8 guests and Daniel has plans to build 4 more chalets in the Spring of 2013.
To the left of the Relais’ Restaurant, my group enjoyed the more basic, yet totally comfortable rooms housed within a common access hallway with a common 2 shower, 2 private toilet bathroom. There are 5-6 separate rooms which can each accommodate from 2-4 people. It isn’t fancy, but it is warm and clean with hot showers and was totally acceptable for a comfortable one night or multi night stay. The groomer operator stayed in one of the rooms and we always had the scoop on his most recently completed route.
As far as where should you go ? Go west! Trails to the North and West of Relais Onatchiway include a network of Yellow trails that criss cross areas you may have never been.
Check the map, see the yellow trails ? Take them all! These trails typical remain in top condition due to less than typically snowmobile traffic.They can lead you to the Cave at Lac LaMothe, Lac Vermont, Lamarche, Lac de la Boiteuse, St Ludger de-Milot, Relais Scooby Raid on lac Tchitogama and beyond.
Play on the yellow network and return to Onatchiway for another day in Mont Valin West or continue around the top of lac St Jean to your next destination or continue on to Chibougamau.
La grotte at Lac LaMothe is always a unique experience
If you choose to return to Onatchiway for another day you may wish to consider spending your next day exploring the 200+kms within the impeccably maintained private trails of Club Motoneige Onatchiway. Established more than 30 years ago Club de Motoneige Onatchiway is a family oriented, not for profit, private (non-federated) snowmobile club. The club is made up of approximately 500 regular season members and welcomes about 1,000 special short term snowmobilers per season who purchase 1-3 day passes.
Among the specific objectives of the Private Club de Motoneige Onatchiway are controlled access and a mandate that club trails are well groomed at all times. And Mario Roberge the operator of the Clubs’ Gilbert groomer takes this mandate very seriously.
The high quality conditions of the Zec are difficult if not impossible to match. It’s like Disney World for Snowmobiling. One day passes for this snowmobile theme park can be purchased at the Welcome Center for $25 and is located just behind Relais Onatchiway. Currently the club collects $50 from you and returns $25 to you when you depart prior to 11pm.
Club President Pierre Deslisle informed me that the $25 departure deposit may be eliminated in favor of the honor system in the very near future, leaving no need for an exit stop at the Welcome Center to collect your deposit. For me easier is always appreciated and I think this would be a convenient and welcome change, making it even easier for new people to enjoy a fantastic experience.
While none of us welcomes additional fees to ride, this is a treat that you should definitely add to your snowmobiling memories. Here’s what you really need to know; main trails groomed to perfection that stay that way due to controlled access.
Secondary trails offering the snow depths and terrain for more of an outside the trail experience. You can make multiple loops with the confidence that all lead back to a recognizable main route. Return to Relais Onatchiway for lunch and return to the Zec in the afternoon for more exploration or continue to the top edge of the Zec where you can easily transition your ride to include Adventure Pipmuacan for lunch and a pricy 20 litres of fuel if you are in need. Pop back into the private trails and pick your route back to the Welcome Center.
Part of the beauty of the Onatchiway experience is the simplicity of the systems layout. You can always be comfortable with your direction and return route. I give it a 5 star rating. Check it out for at least a day and let me know if it is not a wonderful addition to your season. CMOnatchiway.com gives you information, Zec map and road directions if you wish to arrive by truck.
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Relais Onatchiway, Mont Valin West and Zec Onatchiway. Add them to the list of places you’ve been. You’ll smile from ear to ear and experience some of the best of the best! Ride smart, ride safe!
