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No classic tracks groomed today, skate grooming only. via Twitter

From Yves Fortin via TriRudy:

I must admit that, looking outside the window from downtown Ottawa, driving by the War Museum and along highway 5 to Chelsea wasn’t very ski-inspiring yesterday as the fields were quite bare. Nonetheless, I’d like to report that the snow conditions for skate skiing on Trail 1, etc. in the Park were probably the best I have skied on this year! In my opinion, the grooming for skate skiing was VERY well done! The snow was fast, the groomed trails and sections of the parkways were flat and open to full width which allowed Dev and I to ski side by side over long stretches.

Those of you who are new to this should know that, at this time of the year, it’s good to aim for the “sweet spot” which means hitting the trails at the time of the day when the snow is at its best (i.e., not when it is frozen solid after a cold night, mushy from the sun nor freezing at the end of the day). To determine where to start from at this time of the year, it’s probably a good idea to check the Gatineau Park Snow Conditions to find out which trails have most recently been groomed. It is also very nice at this time of the year to be able to ski for a couple of hours and not have to rush to your car with cold toes and fingers! By the way, as we ran by Camp Fortune after our ski, we noticed lots of white snow but very few moving dots on the hill. (Isn’t it ironic that most people would go wait in line for chairlifts in January when it’s minus 20C…)

One last thing: Every year, a number of non-skier friends ask me where, when and how they could get a good deal on skis. Right now is a good time as some stores still have ski equipment out. At this time of the year, it’s good for you to buy as it is good for them to clear out their inventory, and they should be able to spend time with you since the shops aren’t crowded. In addition, learning to ski is much more pleasant in this type of weather.

As I am typing this, I see that 5-10 cm of snow are in the forecast for tomorrow… To those who may wonder: Humm, no, I’m afraid you won’t be able to ride your first loop in the Gats next weekend!

Have a fun week!

Although the warning sign was up at P17, I skied 52,50,51,53 today, waxless classic. Tstart=-5C, Tend=3C. When I returned the warning sign was down. Persons on trails 52:0, 50:15,51:0,52:2. Trail 51 is remarkably good; it’s usually the first to disappear. The observable ice was from my car to the trailhead, about 15 meters.

The only interesting problem was a series of frozen snowballs up to 40 cm diameter on the northern edge of sections of trail 51; I ran into one where the trail sloped towards them. The surface is hard packed, pole penetration was about 0.5 cm on the ungroomed trails, 2 cm on trail 50, which had been groomed this morning. The others were groomed yesterday, but have had little use.

Bill McGee

Bill McGee reports:

Went to P17 about 10 am on Sat 19 Feb. The Demsis salesman told me the trails were icy and dangerous and not recommended. However, the groomer came by just then so I skied the 52-50-51-53 Wakefield loop, just groomed, no problems, waxless classic. The main difficulty for the groomer seems to have been downed trees;but these were all pushed aside. There was a bit of gravel on 50. On the Kennedy Road I saw 2 skiers, 3 walkers and 2 snowshoers going in the opposite direction.

The parking lot at P19 seemed relatively full but P17 was sparse. The section of 53 green over the fields seems not to have been groomed.

When I returned to P17 the dangerous conditions sign was still hanging below the trail map.

Consistent with various posted reports of slight improvements in ski conditions as the snow comes down millimeter by millimeter, the NCC website now reports 10% of the network as recommended. Great. But don’t stop that snow-dance you’ve been doing to please the snow gods; we want centimeters and decimeters!

Started Friday 31 Dec 2010 from P17, trails 52, 50, 51, 53 (the Wakefield loop). Temperature 3C in the morning, 6C in the afternoon.

Skis new waxless classic Fischers on sale from FAE. This area of the park seems to have adequate snow. There are about 7 waterbars across the trail that are open (about 40 cm gaps, all easily visible) on trail 52, about 6 on trail 51 near the ponds (which always seems to have this problem), and an icy stretch of about 5 meters on trail 53, again, quite visible. The big hill on 52 is in good shape, and the little steep hill has leaves(rocks?) just after you turn left after coming down; no problem coming from Wakefield. Trail 50 is fine, but thinning rapidly; my poles were hitting asphalt. A skidoo had apparently gone that day from P19 along 51, 53 and 52 (to Brown Cabins) and returned, but seemed to stay mostly in the middle of the trail.

Met many folks leaving Brown cabins who seemed in a very good mood; one chap had a T-shirt and shorts for attire. Otherwise, the park seemed quite empty, except near P19.

There is a new bench on trail 51, just around the corner from the intersection with 53.

The machine to collect fees at P17 was closed.

Bill McGee

The NCC Website reports zero percent of the trails are open, also saying”

WARNING: Due to difficult climatic conditions, trails can be flooded and icy in some areas. This situation can improve only with significant snowfall. Please note that [their] page will be updated as soon as new information becomes available.

Meanwhile Environment Canada’s forecast tells us:

• Today Cloudy with sunny periods. High plus 5.
• Tonight Cloudy. Periods of rain or drizzle beginning this evening. Fog patches. Temperature steady near plus 4.
• Saturday Showers. Fog patches. High 6.
• Sunday A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 7. High minus 4.

Still, the NCC site recommends red-silver wax.

The NCC website sez:

• At 8am
• Accumulations in the Last 24 hours (P8) None
• Air Temperature -5 °C
• Recommended Wax Blue Extra
• Snow Temperature -3 °C
• Humidity Level 93 %
• Network State % Recommended Network 44 %
• Recommended Starting Points
• P1, P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P16, P19
• Notes Ski conditions are good on the Parkway network and on recommended trails.
• The base is hard and icy and covered with a thin layer of fresh powdered snow.

Several Tweets also, as follows:

• Good skating in the park tonight, very fast. Snowing with big flakes when I left. P8 to Champlain lookout. Link
• Gaineau Park ski conditions. 21DEC10, Gaineau and Champlain Parkway, #5 and Ridge. Generally pretty good. Link
• Just back from 3 hours of skiing in Gatineau Park. Beautiful day to be out in the snow! Link

Dec 21. From P12, trails skied: McKloskey, Ridge (blue), MacDonald. Wax: blue extra for grip. It’s hard to understand the ‘State’ of these trails reported by the park. We found good coverage, no rock problems, and only a few watercourses not fully filled in on Ridge (blue) out towards McKinstry but they are no problem to cross. It’s dry powdery mid-winter snow conditions! Around noon Demsis set classic tracks as far as McKinstry by Skidoo, and I have to give them credit for doing a masterful job this time.

There are still a lot of open streams and where the streams are covered you can have a large dip that can send you flying. But I saw lots of other ski tracks along 34 and 22 and 17. I opted to do 3 which was back country heaven since they hadn’t had time to groom 3 yet.