Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: #50, #52, #53, #55 (green - shared), Glide Wax: Swix LF6, Grip Wax: Start racing green over Vauhti tar ; added Vauhti Carrot
This was the best day of the year. Did the lengthened Wakefield Triangle:
P17 > #53 > P19 > #50 > #55 > lunch @ Renaud > #55 > #50 > #52 > #53 > P17
The dry powder reported by Gary yesterday lasted for the grooming this AM giving a beautiful powder base - after the grooming there was a dusting of 3 mm of new snow which improved the texture of the tracks from "fantastic" to "exquisite" (I had to invent a new scale for today). This new snow gave fast glide and trustworthy grip. The tracksetting was flawless.
The Start racing green worked exceptionally well throughout the day on that new snow - even in sun-warmed snow. At the beginning of #52 I added some Vauhti Carrot - probably because of a belt and suspenders mindset - I'm not sure I needed it. Herring-boning was a technique that I had no need of.
There is about 120 cm of snow pack off track. I doubt that there will be an early end to skiing. I am addicted.
In summation a near-perfect day: great sun, wonderful snow and tracksetting; and good company.
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).
