Gatineau Park

Trails Skied: Fortune Pkwy, Champlain Pkwy, #1, #1B, #1 (green) (#2 - #24), #24, #1 (blue), Glide Wax: , Grip Wax:

Skate ski to fire tower. The 3-star rating hides different realities: poor conditions up the parkway (icy and/or rutted) and on #1 to Champlain (lots of debris), much better conditions after Champlain, and better yet past Wolf: fewer "wood patches" (debris fields from tree clearing) and nice transformed, clean snow in between. I did not have to take my skis off but that's going to change rapidly. A big thank you to the trail crews who cleared all the way to the fire tower, and are still at it in various areas of the Park.
Given the quantity of snow, it is safe to say that there will be skiable sections for another several days. Getting to them may require some dedication. The flats of Fortune Parkway will not be covered for much longer, so P12 will likely be the better starting point. And of course, there is not perfect time of day: ice turns rapidly to slush.
But all in all: another amazing spring ski, despite the obstacles.













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