Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: Champlain Pkwy, #1B, #1 (green) (#2 - #24), #2 (from #40 to #1), #3, #9, #24, #40, Glide Wax: , Grip Wax:
P12->40->left on 24->1->1b->9->3->1 to Huron->FP->1->2->40
Fabulous day for skiing. Sunny, lots of snow on all the trails I skied, including on #9 (and #21 from what I could see when I skied past it). Snow condition was variable. Tracks were icy all the way to 24. After that, it was a mix of slow in sunny areas and icy in the shade. Tracks were shallower in some areas once I hit 24. Down #2 and #40 was a blast--both had been snowplowed but surface was even.
Grip wax was tricky with changing conditions, but overall very enjoyable. Skate skiing looked like it would have been great.
Other than that, #33 seemed in good condition when I went past it. And I was delighted to see there's lots of snow on backcountry trails. (#20 looked like it hasn't been skied on in a long time.)
I'd recommend all the trails I skied on.
Will post pictures later.
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).
