(Warning: This might be a very crabby report because I haven't had enough exercise in the last 3 days. Too many race photos and too many hours at a computer...)

I was very eager to try skate skiing today after a long hiatus following last year's injury, which is finally starting to improve. The park web site claimed that everything was groomed 2 days ago (and the classic 3 days ago), so by 10:30 I gave up on that idea, based on yesterday's 5 degree thaw in Chelsea. Needing exercise more than an icy ski, I decided to go for a run with ice grippers at the Visitor's Center. After one pass, though, it was obvious that the grooming here was ideal for my rusty and cautious skate skiing. It was beautifully groomed, and I actually felt guilty being in boots, despite it not being a dedicated ski trail. Luckily my ski stuff was in the car, so I was able to do a couple of very pleasant loops, and then couldn't resist heading over the hill to P8 to check if there really was fresh grooming.

AND THERE WAS!!! If I'd had more time and a bit of food I would have skied there for while. If I'd known ahead of time I would have just skied there, period. The website was quite misleading. Conditions were fantastic for skating. I forgot to check out the classic tracks thoroughly, but at least across Meech Lake Road, the classic tracks were done only on one side. One half of the road was beautifully done, one half was done superficially and without touching the classic tracks (they were awful after yesterday's thaw). I think the North Loop was better.

And an ongoing problem. A threesome had taken a hike on the freshest grooming on the Gatineau Parkway. There were actually more boot tracks here than at the Visitors' Center Loop!

I'll try again tomorrow for a better ski. Today just whet my appetite for a real ski.