Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: North Loop, Glide Wax: Swix LF8, Grip Wax: Roode universal klister
Skated the doldrums with my wife who was doing classic.
Initially the skating track was rutted and varied from soft to glazed; around noon the tracksetter did the skating track which improved it to a uniform soft surface with reasonable glide. The snow is not yet granular being mostly soft wet powder (think putty): this PM a warm wax would be required and rilling wouldn't hurt.
The classic tracks have not been done recently but were quite firm and in good condition. Universal klister worked quite well for grip.
It's not yet crust-cruising conditions. Out of the track the snow was firm but soft on top so that the skis sunk in about 5 cm. A real skier equipped with back-country waxless skis would probably have a slow but enjoyable day of bushwacking.
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).
