Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: #53, Glide Wax: -7 to -12, Grip Wax:
LATE POST for Saturday
ROUTE: From P17 along 53 to P19 and back.
SKATE: Grooming had just been done so the track was fast and allowed for good control. To me, this is the most beautiful trail in the Park, though that could be said for many trails. There are significant hills but they don't go on forever. There are long stretches in the woods and there are long stretches in open, rolling hills. With the snow heavy in the trees as it has been for the last few days, it is absolutely spectacular.
CLASSIC: A lot more people on classic skis making good progress. When I ventured into the trackset to avoid people coming in the opposite direction or to take it easy on a downhill, the track was well-defined and deep.
TRAFFIC: One or two cars at the parking lot at 8AM, but lots when we left around 10:20. Still a fair bit of room.
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).
