Gatineau Park

Trails Skied: #2 (blue), #2 (from #40 to #1), #33, #40, Glide Wax: , Grip Wax: green vr20

No parked cars as we passed P8 and P9, and none when we arrived at P12. Temperature was -23C when we headed up 40 and -21C on our return to P12. There was a strong wind in exposed areas and we needed lots of layers of clothing as well as the balaclavas. Trails were in good shape generally and 2 was in excellent shape. Descents on all trails were hard/icy, leading to a few control issues. There was some, but not too much, twig debris along 40. On trail 2 heading down to Western Shelter grooves from the maintenance skidoo affected the condition of the area between the classic set tracks. On 33 there were clumps of icy snow in a few spots where the track setter had been raised. We flattened them before they had had a chance to freeze solid. Although it was very cold with the wind chill, we did meet three other skiers who were presumably as crazy as us.













Gatineau park map


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.

Gatineau park map

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).

Gatineau park map