It was a gorgeous day. 5 stars for the scenery and the weather, but 2 stars for the grooming, or rather the lack of it. There was a groomer spending a great deal of time packing the snow for the upcoming Coupe Skinouk - all appropriate and necessary. However the trails for pass holders were neglected today except for a small narrow strip leading to the parkway. Anyone who is over 40 and losing the cushioning in their knees will have a keen appreciation for the extra iciness and hard, rutted surface of the trails. Yesterday, when grooming was recent, conditions were fabulous. Today, when many, many skiers have packed down the trails, and when the snow has re-hardened, conditions were disappointing. As Megan pointed out yesterday, the Gatineau Park ski conditions page lists the conditions as either good or bad. Conditions were on the low end of middling today. On the plus side, a very large sign has been erected near Asticou, directing walkers to the walking trail. Based on the boot marks on trail 29, it may not be having much of an effect, but at least it is highly visible.
A more upbeat photo from today's ski can be seen on www.musicianonskis.ca/blog