Gatineau Park

Trails Skied: Fortune Pkwy, Champlain Pkwy, #1, Glide Wax: CH7, Grip Wax:

Often there is grooming on Friday even if it is not reported. I took a chance on this happening this morning. It was a big mistake. There had been no grooming, and the Fortune Parkway was rock hard. I found it very difficult to get enough edge to skate. Better skiers than me were blasting along, but I think average skaters would not have enjoyed the conditions. I wouldn't recommend skipping work this afternoon to ski unless you are a racer who likes icy, hard, fast conditions. Given the low temperatures it is unlikely to soften much today. It won't be any better tomorrow morning unless there is grooming tonight. Classic might be better- the tracks were certainly firm. There are a few truly icy sections, but there is still plenty of snow (see the photo of the base of the Khyber pass, for example). Even if there is no more grooming, once the surface softens we should get at least a week of spring skiing.













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