This report is actually for the Larose Forest. Left P1 around 9:30 when the temperature was -8* and skied just past the fork in the trail where the classic tracks from P2 meet the skate trails. The ice had been broken up and the trails were freshly groomed and track set. Classic tracks were quite good - a little hard and icy for sure but they were holding up very well. The skate skiers I talked to said the trail was also hard and fast for them - a little tricky to get a good edge sometimes but still quite skiable.

Despite the good conditions I only met 2 classic skiers and 6 skate skiers on the trail. I checked out the new "petit chalet" about 150 yards south of the fork past Concession 8 built by shop students at Ecole secondaire de Casselman. It is quite nice - no fire going today but all the materials are there if you want to get a little toasty and know how to use a woodstove.

So all in all a good day of skiing - freshly groomed trails but no difficult climbs or scary downhills that you can get in Gatineau Park in these conditions. Hopefully the weather cooperates tonight so I can try the eastern trails in the Larose Forest tomorrow.