Gatineau Park
Trails Skied: Fortune Pkwy, Champlain Pkwy, #1 (green) (#2 - #24), Glide Wax: Swix LF10, Grip Wax: N/A
Skated to beaver pond just before Blanchette & #1 via FP, CP, the lookout, and #1; returned via #1 to Huron then CP and FP.
What is “not recommended” I highly recommend! In spite of the big red X (on the NCC report) against #1 past #3, the conditions on #1 are quite good with good coverage except at the bench where it is skiably thin. It will probably be possible to ski to the tower for a few days with very few “portages”.
Between Huron and Champlain Lookout: Ridge is showing bare spots and wet spots - CP is showing some asphalt and wet spots. Both can be skied without removing the skis. FP has wet spots that will probably be bare within a day.
Tracksetting was restricted to the parkways; however, when things softened it didn't really matter. The form of all trails is good - the skate track is not too rutted and the classic tracks are firm.
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).
