Green Belt
Trails Skied: 51, 52, Glide Wax: n/a, Grip Wax: universal klister
Seeing that skiing was not recommended in Gatineau Park decided to risk Mer Bleu. Expected to find a watery mess but was pleasantly surprised to see tracking and a few cars in the parking lot. The lot itself was mostly hard ice with no huge puddles. The skiing was a bit slow due to sinking wet snow (expected that) and the tracking was fair to good mostly on 51 but 52 was walked on by snowshoers. After a few passes by a few more skiers 52 was better. Universal klister was definitely the way to go giving superb grip and glide.
Big freezeup coming tonight so as long as the tracks hold up a maybe a few more flurries we can continue to ski at Mer Bleu. Ran into a few ladies who recognized me from a ski on Burma last year. They were in a group that shared their homemade granola bars with me. Barb and Jenna, hope I got your names right. Nice talking to you.
The National Capital Greenbelt has over 100km of trails and another 25km of recreational pathways, most of which are suitable for cross-country skiing in the wintertime. All of the trails are suitable for beginner and family outings. Some are now maintained by volunteer groomers; OWWT, BWT, SHE, Kichi Sibi.
ONSC grooms The Hornet's Nest (Tauvette street to Montreal Rd), Mer Bleue and Pine Grove Forest (the section off Leitrum Rd). Trails are classic skiing ONLY, no skating is allowed on these trails. The Hornet's Nest is groomed at least weekly and the others as time permits. Updated trail conditions are available at the snow phone; 613-837-SNOW.
