Gatineau Park

Trails Skied: Gatineau Pkwy , Gatineau Pkwy, Champlain Pkwy, Glide Wax: CH8, Grip Wax:

I found surprisingly good skate conditions this morning on a run up the GP and CP from P8 to Mulvihill and back. The NCC report states that most of this section was groomed last night, but I really couldn't tell given the 4cm or so of new snow and ice pellet accumulation over the trail. Even though temperatures were slightly below freezing, the new snow wasn't particularly fast, but descents were silky smooth. The only problem I had with edge control was the build up of fresh snowball snow under my binding! Underneath the fresh snow the base is smooth, rock hard ice, particularly at the bottom of hills and where there is exposure to the sun. There is (fortunately) enough new snow that you can't really sense the base. It's definitely worth skate skiing the parkways this afternoon- if you can get to the park!













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