Gatineau Park

Trails Skied: #1 (blue), Glide Wax: , Grip Wax:

Skate ski to Fire Tower. Trail is closed and ungroomed. I had uncertain expectations and was happily surprised. Rating of "fair" covers very different conditions. P12 to Wolf is a mix: a few bare or almost bare patches to negotiate, some icy sections and dirt. But overall decent. Wolf to McKinstry is almost entirely very good, pleasant skiing. Practically full cover, nice firm base, mostly clean snow. I was lucky that it was warm enough to soften the surface and give excellent control, but not so warm as to be slushy. If cold and rock hard, or too soft, it may not be as enjoyable. McKinstry to FT is good at first (bare spots just past McKinstry) and dismal in the last km (more ice, rock, pine needles and pine cones than snow). Typical of a mid-April ski. Portages: top of 40 just before 24 (can be stepped acros if on rock skis), Wolf trail final climb, and sunny flats 1km before FT (also rock-skiable, but just). Practically all downhills are really good, both ways.
Lots of places are paper thin, so portages will grow quickly.
Enjoy and ski safe!













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