Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: #36 (blue), Glide Wax: , Grip Wax:
First ski out of P11 on #36 blue to the junction with #50 and back same way. Temperature was hovering around zero to +2 , a few skiers who had just started off were on the side of the trail, I guess looking to change wax type. I pass-by one skier on the way back, he must of given up completely, he had taken his skis off and was walking. I had no problems with my wax-less skis.
There is one minor problem area, the second big hill (which sort of does a zig zag before you get to the lake shore) had 3 small rocks poking through see pic (this is a common problem area some skiers call it a rock garden), but other then that the rest is great.
Note for Jo-Ann : I encountered some boot marks on the way back in middle of the trail, there were also snow shoe tracks off to the sides. I figured out why we get this on the first km or so from P11; the hikers and snowshoers like to go to the Carbide Wilson Ruins. Its too bad there is not a small trail on the side to get access to that area.
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).