Night ski 5Jan

I skated from P3 to P8 and back.  On the way out I went on 5.  The parkways were in good shape although the section between P3 and Pink is particularly firm.  5 was more pleasant because it was not as firm. 5 was in good shape with only the odd icy patch.  If we get only another 2-3 cm of the white stuff the skiing will be that much better even if there is no fresh grooming tomorrow.

2JAN12 Evening ski

Skated from p3 up to near P6 and back.  The conditions were firm and fast but not so firm that it was difficult, just lots of fun.  There was about a half cm of fresh snow from a brief snow shower.

I have been away for a few days and saw some complaining about the grooming.  I don't really have a complaint about the parkways I was on tonight.  The website said they had been groomed 6 hours before.  There is a dip in the middle of the road where there is a good skating lane that is pretty flat.  The only issue for some might be the occasional occurrence of the Demsis bump running down the middle of this lane but it really was not much of a problem.

Gatineau Park ski conditions P16-p19 + Taylor 29DEC11

I skated from P16 to P19 with a swing by Taylor Lake on the way back.  It is a real mixed bag.  The trail has been groomed with varying degrees of success.  P16 to Herridge is pretty good with only minor damage from walkers.  There had been a fair amount of snowmobile traffic so it was nice and firm.  Herridge to 52 was still ok but from 52 to Lac Philippe the grooming was a notch better.  Unfortunately from Lac Philippe to 55 conditions began to get worse (but still ok) as walking and snowshoe traffic was higher.  Then the bottom fell out from 55 to P19 and much of route 55 itself.  In spite of there being snowshoe trails along the ski trail most walkers picked the ski trail.  Basically it was a mess.  For some reason, in spite of the terrible condition of the trail, it was given a thumbs up.  If the NCC continues to allow walking on these ski trails they need to be groomed twice a day.

Grooming itself was ok considering it is the very start of the year.  The trail is not yet flat or particularly firm.  It would be less frustrating for classic skiers as the tracks themselves were spared the vandalism inflicted by the walkers.

You do not need rock skis but you must be attentive.  Some rocks are sticking out.

Gatineau Park Christmas Day 2011

This was my third day in a row skiing this season.  The conditions were much better today with the new snow.  Nothing was groomed although I think tomorrow they could pack the parkways.  I have skied (skate) the loop including up to Champlain.  I would recommend rock skis because there are some sections where snow is thin. 

gatinea park 27Mar P6 to Fire Tower

It started out great.  I headed south from P6 on the parkways down to Penguin and then Ridge out to the Fire Tower.   The parkways and from Penguin to the FP had all been regroomed over night and were fantastic.  I thought it would be one of the great days because the grooming up Penguin and along Ridge was perfect! I figured that if it was like that to the FT I would have to write a letter to Demsis about what a great company they are.  Unfortunately the groomer turned left at the FP.  Ridge, 1b, 24, and out to the FT had not been groomed.  It wasn't bad but it was a bit firm to begreat.  As I knew from yesterday there was not grooming at all past McKinstry.  Very much worth it to get out there.  Demsis seems to have figured out how to groom in minimal snow conditions, its too bad that today they just didn't groom Ridge all the way.

Gatineau Park 26March From P6 to Fire Tower via CP, Khyber Pass,1B, 24

Basically conditions are excellent.  One flaw is that it is not groomed past McKinstry however it was still skiable with a nice amount of powder on top.  I am not sure why the groomer turned around @ McKinstry?  I was surprised there weren't more people out-likely a good thing as the trail was not skied out too much even by 1pm.

Gatineau Park 22Mar. Loop from P6 up Penguin/Ridge-evening ski

Clearly no grooming since the snow yesterday.  There is enough snow for at least some compaction and there were quite a few people out who would have enjoyed it.  Penguin was ok and Ridge was pretty good however the parkways really weren't that enjoyable.  FP was better than CP because of the heavier traffic.  If one had stayed only on Ridge it would have been a pretty good day.