Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: #53, Glide Wax: -3 to +3, Grip Wax:
ROUTE: P17 to P19 and back. Easy Peazy (is that with an "s"?).
SKATE: Pretty much perfect conditions. Very hard, well-groomed surface, but not icy. Fast conditions even though I am waxed for the warmer conditions, but I am definitely not complaining. There was enough control on the steeper parts.
CLASSIC: The tracks looked really solid and not icy almost everywhere.
TRAFFIC: Maybe 20 cars in the lot (1/3 full) when I was coming and going.
WEATHER: It is windy in the open spots but you hardly notice it for most of the trail.
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).
