Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: #3, #9, Glide Wax: Blue, Grip Wax:
Classic up trail #3 and the change in snow texture leaving the parkway was dramatic; very hard packed on parkway, well used but powdery on #3. Special Blue wax was on the edge of being okay. Saw half a dozen happy looking people. Zipped along Parkway between Etienne Brule and Champlain lookouts, all parkway grooming looked pretty good. Trail 1b toward Western hadn't been groomed recently but was fine just the same. Back down #9 which has seen more traffic up top (west of intersection with #3) which has it in very good shape. #9 between #3 and Fortune Parkway also good but feels a wee bit rougher with fewer skiers over it. Since that was downhill for me "also good" conditions had me squeaking with joy.
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).
