Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: Fortune Pkwy, Champlain Pkwy, #1, #1 (green) (#2 - #24), Glide Wax: Swix LF7, Grip Wax: Vauhti Carrot over Vauhti tar binder
I heard the weather forecast which said there would be 2 cm of snow this AM - and thought 2 cm on top of the tracksetting from yesterday - perfect classic conditions! It didn't happen - there was only a dusting of new snow mixed in with new grooming.
I had a good enough day in terms of glide but grip was marginal - maybe if I had put a bit klister under my kick wax I would have had a better day - but, regardless, I still had a good day. But I really would have had a much better day if I had skated. The tracksetting crew have done a great job but the result is much better for skating.
My route was:
P10 => FP => CP => Huron => #1 => water tank on #24 => #1 => CP => FP => P10
The parkways are in great shape (particularly for skating). #1 from Huron to the lookout was hard and rutted (it may be groomed by now). #1 from the lookout to #24 was trackset - superb for skating but so-so for classic. #24 has been trackset. #3 is hard and rutted.
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).
