Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: #50, #51, #53, #54 (green), #55 (green - shared), Glide Wax: Swix LF6, Grip Wax: Start Green and Swix Blue (V30) over Vauhti tar
I've just returned from the best day of classic skiing that I've experienced in a number of years in terms of weather and most importantly conditions.
I concentrated on the Lac Philippe sector starting from Wakefield:
P17 => #53 => P19 => #50 => #55 => Renaud => #54 green => Lusk Cabin
=> #54 green => #55 => #50 => P19 => #51 => #53 => P17
Everywhere the tracksetting was flawless - firm enough but with the feel of real snow in it - great glide and great grip. The long #53 loop to P19 was an experience not be missed - often that trail is windblown and difficult - today I seemed to float uphill and downhill.
Regrettably I didn't have it in me to include the #55 Taylor Lake loop; however, a reliable source told me that she did it and that it was great.
I didn't really know how to wax given that the day would go from -21C to -5C so I just went with the wax from yesterday (cold snow conditions) - it worked perfectly.
Gatineau Park is ski paradise! The network of ski trails offer machine groomed skate skiing and classic skiing as well as little groomed backcountry trails. Multiple access points allow skiers to access a variety of terrain and scenery.
The NCC offers season or daily pay rates.
For suggestions on where to ski, excellent trail descriptions, photos and maps checkout Michael McGoldrick`s website about recreational xc-skiing in Canada`s National Capital Region (with an emphasis on the Gatineau Park).
