Gatineau Park

Trails Skied: Fortune Pkwy, Champlain Pkwy, #1, #1B, #1 (green) (#2 - #24), Glide Wax: CH7, Grip Wax:

What a perfect day for skiing! I grabbed one of the last parking spots in P10 at 10AM, and skated up the FLP to Ridge, then headed west up the Khyber Pass to the 1A/1B intersection. The FLP was freshly groomed with a cold powdery surface (about 8cm of dry powder fell in Chelsea yesterday evening). Glide was a bit slow, but improved as the temperature rose. There was a surprising deep rut down the middle of Ridge Road (see photo). I suspect this was produced by a service snowmobile since the rut disappeared at Huron. Ridge had a slightly crunchy- and fast- surface compared to the parkways. I had been hoping to ski Burma, but found it hadn't been groomed. Conversely 1B was groomed at last, so I followed it west to the intersection with 2. The steep descent on 1B was a bit bumpy, but safe and fun. I continued west on Ridge to the first intersection with the Wolf Trail. This far west the surface was a bit soft and powdery, but great for practicing technique. On my return trip I followed Ridge to Huron, then the CP and FLP to Ridge. I went east on Ridge to the top of Penguin Hill, then retraced my steps to the FLP and P10. There had been a lot of skier traffic on this part of Ridge, compacting the snow enough to give very good glide. There were crowds of skiers out everywhere enjoying the fabulous conditions. P10 was, of course, nearly full on my return (see photo. As a season pass holder I would suggest that the NCC consider posting parking lot trolls at P10, P8 and the other heavily-used parking lots on weekdays when conditions are this good, to generate some more grooming revenue.













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