Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: North Loop, Glide Wax: Swix LF7, Grip Wax:
Being in a January thaw frame-of-mind I was prepared to give skiing a pass today until I read the reports from yesterday and the NCC reports that tracksetting had been done so I comprised between a non-ski day and a serious ski day and joined Andy's Hamsters on the North Loop.
The tracksetting team have really done a great job. Skating was great - fast and easy control. Things did not look as good for classic with a glaze in the tracks; however, for those that were into double-poling the tracks were ideal - less confident skiers seemed to be having trouble.
It's hard to predict how these conditions are going to evolve: there were places on the skating lane that were beginning to glaze over due to the wind; others were remaining as ideal moist powder. The forecast for tonight and early tomorrow is for rain followed by a freeze. On verra!
There were quite a few Hamsters out on the Doldrums of all abilities.
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).
